Applicant Name: ????? Application Receipt Date: 2011/03/21 Prior Review: Prior Review Date: NA I. Applicant Request: Upgrade Reason Change RE Code Change Issues: The applicant states: "My discharge was inequitable because it was based on one incident in 14 months of service with hearsay being the reason given for the discharge with no other adverse action. In the entirety of my enlistment, I had completed both Basic Training and AIT in full. I have received both documents of graduation entitling me to move on to my Duty Station. I was a holdover at AIT and was forced to follow AIT standards, while performing mundane tasks rather then being centrally focussed on the task as to why I was a holdover. I have performed everything as a soldier should other then the one incident that caused me to be discharged." II. Were Proper Discharge and Separation Authority procedures followed? Tender Offer: NA See Attachments: Legal Medical Minority Opinion Exhibits III. Discharge Under Review Unit CDR Recommended Discharge: Date: 100217 Discharge Received: Date: 100301 Chapter: 13 AR: 635-200 Reason: Unsatisfactory Performance RE: SPD: JHJ Unit/Location: D Co, 305th MI Bn, Fort Huachuca, AZ Time Lost: None Article 15s (Charges/Dates/Punishment): None Courts-Martial (Charges/Dates/Punishment): None Counseling Records Available: Yes No IV. Soldier’s Overall Record Age at current enlistment: 19 Current ENL Date: 081230 Current ENL Term: 03 Years 29 Weeks Current ENL Service: 01 Yrs, 02 Mos, 02 Days ????? Total Service: 01 Yrs, 02 Mos, 02 Days ????? Previous Discharges: None Highest Grade: E2 Performance Ratings Available: Yes No MOS: None GT: 127 EDU: HS Grad Overseas: None Combat: None Decorations/Awards: NDSM, GWOTSM V. Post-Discharge Activity City, State: Alva, OK Post Service Accomplishments: None Listed VI. Facts, Circumstances, and Legal Basis for Separation a. Facts and Circumstances: The evidence of record shows that on 17 February 2010, the unit commander notified the applicant of initiation of separation action under the provisions of Chapter 13, AR 635-200, by reason of unsatisfactory performance for failing two consecutive Army Physical Fitness Tests (APFTs), with a general, under honorable conditions discharge. He was advised of his rights. On 19 February 2010, the applicant consulted with legal counsel, was advised of the impact of the discharge action, and submitted a statement in his own behalf. The unit commander subsequently recommended separation from the Army and waiver of further rehabilitative efforts. The separation authority waived further rehabilitative efforts and directed that the applicant be separated, with a general, under honorable conditions discharge. b. Legal Basis for Separation: Army Regulation 635-200 sets forth the requirements and procedures for administrative discharge of enlisted personnel. Chapter 13-2e of this regulation, states in pertinent part, that separation proceedings will be initiated for Soldiers without medical limitations who have two consecutive failures of the Army Physical Fitness Test. The reason for discharge will be shown as unsatisfactory performance. Service of Soldiers separated because of unsatisfactory performance for failure of the Army Physical Fitness Test will be characterized as honorable or general, under honorable conditions. c. Response to Issues, Recommendation and Rationale: After a careful review of all the applicant’s military records during the period of enlistment under review, the issues and document submitted with the application, the analyst found several mitigating factors that would merit an upgrade of the applicant's discharge to fully honorable. The analyst noted that the applicant was discharged for the sole reason of a failure to meet the minimum standards of the Army Physical Fitness Test. The analyst also noted the lack of any other derogatory information in the record. In view of the foregoing, the analyst recommends that the applicant’s characterization of service be upgraded to fully honorable. Furthermore, regulations currently in effect list the reason for the applicant’s discharge as physical standards. Accordingly, the analyst recommends to the Board that the narrative reason for separation on the DD Form 214 be changed to "Physical Standards" with the corresponding separation (SPD) code of "JFT." VII. Summary of Army Discharge Review Board Hearing Type of Hearing: Date: 7 October 2011 Location: Washington, DC Did the Applicant Testify? Yes No Counsel: None Witnesses/Observers: NA Exhibits Submitted: Online application and DD Form 214 for the period of service under review. VIII. Board Discussion, Determination, and Recommendation After carefully examining the applicant’s record of service during the period of enlistment under review and considering the analyst’s recommendation and rationale, the Board determined that the characterization of service is too harsh and as a result, it is inequitable. The Board noted that the applicant was discharged for the sole reason of a failure to meet the minimum standards of the Army Physical Fitness Test. The Board also noted the lack of any other derogatory information in the record. Accordingly, the Board voted to grant relief in the form of an upgrade of the characterization of service to fully honorable. Furthermore, regulations currently in effect list the reason for the applicant’s discharge as physical standards. Accordingly, the Board voted to change the narrative reason for separation on the DD Form 214 to "Physical Standards" with the corresponding separation (SPD) code of "JFT." IX. Board Decision XI. Certification Signature Board Vote: Approval Authority: Character - Change 5 No change 0 Reason - Change 5 No change 0 (Board member names available upon request) EDGAR J. YANGER Colonel, U.S. Army X. Board Action Directed President, Army Discharge Review Board Issue a new DD Form 214 Change Characterization to: Change Reason to: Physical Standards" with the corresponding separation (SPD) code of "JFT" under provisions of Chapter 13, AR 635-200. Other: NA RE Code: Grade Restoration: No Yes Grade: NA Legend: AWOL Absent Without Leave GCM General Court Martial NA Not applicable SCM Summary Court Martial BCD Bad Conduct Discharge GD General Discharge NIF Not in the file SPCM Special Court Martial CG Company Grade Article 15 HD Honorable Discharge OAD Ordered to Active Duty UNC Uncharacterized Discharge DD Dishonorable Discharge HS High School Graduate OMPF Official Military Personnel File UOTH Under Other Than Honorable FG Field Grade Article 15 IADT Initial Active Duty Training RE Reentry Code Conditions ARMY DISCHARGE REVIEW BOARD - CASE REPORT AND DIRECTIVE Case Number AR20110005216 ______________________________________________________________________________ Page 2 of 3 pages