1. Applicant's Name: a. Application Date: 13 September 2019 b. Date Received: 16 September 2019 c. Counsel: None 2. REQUEST, ISSUES, BOARD TYPE, AND DECISION: The applicant requests an upgrade of the characterization of service from general (under honorable conditions) to honorable. The applicant seeks relief contending, in effect, failed the APFT with no other negative records during the time in service. The APFT failure was not grounds for general (under honorable discharge) when the applicant went for medical treatment for back issues resulting in APFT failure, and medical not finding anything wrong even though doctor suggested "two bulged discs in lower back". The applicant desires to use VA benefits to further better life and career; the applicant justly served the country and did nothing negatively to impact separation. Per the Board's Medical Officer, a voting member, based on the information available for review at the time in the service record, the Armed Forces Health Longitudinal Technology Application (AHLTA), and Joint Legacy Viewer (JLV), notes indicate no BH diagnoses while on active duty. In summary, the applicant's discharge was appropriate. In a records review conducted at Arlington, VA on 15 November 2019, and by a 4-1 vote, the Board determined that the characterization of service was inequitable. Accordingly, the Board voted to grant relief in the form of an upgrade to the characterization of service to honorable. The Board determined the narrative reason, SPD code and RE code were proper and equitable and voted not to change them. (Board member names available upon request) 3. DISCHARGE DETAILS: a. Reason / Authority / Codes / Characterization: Unsatisfactory Performance / AR 635- 200, Chapter 13 / JHJ / RE-3 / General (Under Honorable Conditions) b. Date of Discharge: 1 June 2018 c. Separation Facts: Yes (1) Date of Notification of Intent to Separate: 17 April 2018 (2) Basis for Separation: The applicant was informed of the following reasons for his discharge; he failed to achieve 60 points in the 2 mile run event during his APFT on 28 September 2017; and he failed to achieve 60 points in the 2 mile run event during his APFT on 30 January 2018. (3) Recommended Characterization: The unit commander recommended an Honorable discharge. (4) Legal Consultation Date: 19 April 2018, applicant waived legal counsel. (5) Administrative Separation Board: NA (6) Separation Decision Date / Characterization: 20 April 2018 / General (Under Honorable Conditions) 4. SERVICE DETAILS: a. Date / Period of Enlistment: 18 October 2016 / 3 years, 24 weeks b. Age at Enlistment / Education / GT Score: 23 years / 1 year college / 97 c. Highest Grade Achieved / MOS / Total Service: E-3 / 13F10, Fire Support Specialist / 1 year, 7 months, 14 days d. Prior Service / Characterizations: None e. Overseas Service / Combat Service: None f. Awards and Decorations: NDSM, ASR g. Performance Ratings: NA h. Disciplinary Action(s) / Evidentiary Record: Report of Mental Status Evaluation, dated 21 March 2018, relates the applicant was seen for a mental status evaluation in preparation for Chapter 13 separation. From a behavioral health standpoint, there was no psychiatric symptoms sufficient to require hospitalization at this time, necessitate limitations of duty, or interfere with effective military service. There is no psychiatric disease or defect that warrants disposition through medical channels in accordance with AR 40-501, Standards of Medical Fitness. The applicant was mentally sound and able to appreciate any wrongfulness in conduct and to conform conduct to the requirements of the law. He was considered accountable for his actions. He had the mental capacity to understand and participate in board proceedings. He was psychiatrically cleared for any administrative action deemed appropriate by command. The applicant received several negative counseling statements for APFT failure and also failure to meet requirements of AR 600-9, Army Body Composition Program. i. Lost Time / Mode of Return: None j. Diagnosed PTSD / TBI / Behavioral Health: None 5. APPLICANT-PROVIDED EVIDENCE: DD Form 293 (two pages). 6. POST SERVICE ACCOMPLISHMENTS: None submitted with the application. 7. REGULATORY CITATION(S): Army Regulation 635-200 sets forth the basic authority for the separation of enlisted personnel. Chapter 13 contains the policy and outlines the procedures for separating individuals for unsatisfactory performance, and provides, in pertinent part, that commanders will separate a member under this Chapter when, in the commander's judgment, the member will not develop sufficiently to participate satisfactorily in further training and/or become a satisfactory Soldier. Army policy states that a general, under honorable conditions discharge is normally considered appropriate; however, an honorable discharge may be granted in meritorious cases. 8. DISCUSSION OF FACT(S): The applicant requests an upgrade of the characterization of service from general (under honorable conditions) to honorable. The applicant's record of service and the issues submitted with his application were carefully reviewed. The record confirms that the applicant's discharge was appropriate because of unsatisfactory performance which diminished the quality of his service below that meriting an honorable discharge at the time of separation. The applicant provided no independent corroborating evidence demonstrating either the command's action was erroneous or the applicant's service mitigated the duty performance, such that he should have been retained on Active Duty. The applicant seeks relief contending, he failed the APFT with no other negative records during his time in service. The applicable Army regulation states there are circumstances in which the conduct or performance of duty provides the basis for a characterization of service. The applicant further contends, his APFT failure was not grounds for general (under honorable discharge) when he went for medical treatment for back issues resulting in APFT failure, and medical not finding anything wrong even though doctor suggested "two bulged discs in lower back". Army Regulation 635-200, paragraph 3-7b, provides that a general discharge is a separation from the Army under honorable conditions. When authorized, it is issued to a Soldier whose military record is satisfactory but not sufficiently meritorious to warrant an honorable discharge. A characterization of under honorable conditions may be issued only when the reason for the Soldier's separation specifically allows such characterization. The applicant bears the burden of presenting substantial and credible evidence to support this contention. There is no evidence in the record, nor has the applicant produced any evidence to support the contention that two bulging discs in his back caused him to fail the APFT. The applicant desires to use his VA benefits to further better his life and career; he justly served his country and did nothing negatively to impact his separation. Eligibility for veteran's benefits to include educational benefits under the Post-9/11 or Montgomery GI Bill does not fall within the purview of the Army Discharge Review Board. Accordingly, the applicant should contact a local office of the Department of Veterans Affairs for further assistance. The discharge was consistent with the procedural and substantive requirements of the regulation, was within the discretion of the separation authority, and the applicant was provided full administrative due process. 9. BOARD DETERMINATION: In a records review conducted at Arlington, VA on 15 November 2019, and by a 4-1 vote, the Board determined that the characterization of service was inequitable. Accordingly, the Board voted to grant relief in the form of an upgrade to the characterization of service to honorable. The Board determined the narrative reason, SPD code and RE code were proper and equitable and voted not to change them. 10. BOARD ACTION DIRECTED: a. Issue a New DD-214: Yes b. Change Characterization to: Honorable c. Change Reason to: No Change d. Change Authority to: No Change e. Change SPD / RE Code to: No Change Authenticating Official: Legend: AWOL - Absent Without Leave GD - General Discharge NCO - Noncommissioned Officer SCM - Summary Court Martial BCD - Bad Conduct Discharge HS - High School NIF - Not in File SPCM - Special Court Martial BH - Behavioral Health HD - Honorable Discharge NOS - Not Otherwise Specified SPD - Separation Program Designator CG - Company Grade Article 15 IADT - Initial Active Duty Training OAD - Ordered to Active Duty TBI - Traumatic Brain Injury CID - Criminal Investigation Division MP - Military Police OMPF - Official Military Personnel File UNC - Uncharacterized Discharge ELS - Entry Level Status MST - Military Sexual Trauma PTSD - Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder UOTHC - Under Other Than Honorable Conditions FG - Field Grade Article 15 NA - Not applicable RE - Reentry VA - Veterans Affairs ARMY DISCHARGE REVIEW BOARD CASE REPORT AND DIRECTIVE AR20190012456 1