RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
         AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:				DOCKET NUMBER:  01-00929
						INDEX CODE 110.02 100.06
	 						COUNSEL: No 

							HEARING DESIRED: No

_________________________________________________________________

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

Her “2C” (Involuntarily Separated with an Honorable Discharge) reenlistment eligibility (RE) code be changed to one allowing reenlistment, and the narrative reason for her discharge be changed from “Personality Disorder” to “Failure to Adjust.”

_________________________________________________________________

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

She did very well in basic training; however, she found it difficult being separated from her husband.  Also, she was very hard on herself when she made mistakes and her self-confidence began to diminish.  She eventually broke down and was evaluated by a psychiatrist, whose diagnosis was adjustment disorder. After her discharge, she received counseling to help her cope with various issues and has been released from her psychologist’s care. The narrative reason does not reflect the military psychiatrist’s diagnosis. She questions who will hire her when they see “Personality Disorder” on her DD Form 214.  She has had to conceal this information so as not to hinder her chances of employment. She cannot afford to have a problem this severe and unjust haunting her for the rest of her life. She wants to have a normal life again without having to suffer the repercussions from the existing narrative reason on her DD Form 214.

In support, she provides a supporting statement from her clinical psychologist, a civilian performance report, and a college transcript.

Her complete submission is at Exhibit A.

_________________________________________________________________

STATEMENT OF FACTS:

The relevant facts pertaining to this application are contained in the official documents provided in the applicant’s submission (Exhibit A), in her military records (Exhibit B), and in the letters prepared by the appropriate offices of the Air Force (Exhibits C, D and E).  Accordingly, there is no need to recite these facts in this Record of Proceedings.

_________________________________________________________________

AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

The AFBCMR Medical Consultant reviewed the appeal and notes that the applicant was diagnosed as having an adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood. She was never given a diagnosis of personality disorder as appears on her DD Form 214.  The injustice of improperly labeling her disorder should be corrected. The Consultant recommends the narrative reason be changed to “Secretarial Authority;” however, the RE code of “2C” remains applicable and should not be changed.

A complete copy of the evaluation is at Exhibit C.

The Assistant NCOIC, Separation Procedures Section, HQ AFPC/DPPRS, concurs with the AFBCMR Medical Consultant’s recommendation.  The separation program designator (SPD) code and narrative reason for separation should be changed to “KFF” and “Secretarial Authority,” respectively.

A complete copy of the evaluation is at Exhibit D.

The Assistant Chief, Skills Management Branch, HQ AFPC/DPPAE notes that the applicant’s RE code is correct.

A complete copy of the evaluation is at Exhibit E.

_________________________________________________________________

APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

The applicant agrees with the SPD code being “KFF,” and reiterates her request for an RE code that allows reenlistment.  Her current RE code precludes reenlistment.  She suggests “3K,” which is a waiverable code and correlates to the “KFF” SPD code.  She was not forced out of the service; she self-referred and asked to leave. She wants her RE code changed so she can reenlist.  

Her complete response, with attachment, is at Exhibit G.

_________________________________________________________________

THE BOARD CONCLUDES THAT:

1.	The applicant has exhausted all remedies provided by existing law or regulations.

2.	The application was not timely filed; however, it is in the interest of justice to excuse the failure to timely file.

3.	Sufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the existence of probable error or injustice to warrant partial relief.  The evidence reflects the applicant was diagnosed with an adjustment disorder, not a personality disorder.  Unfortunately, the current AFI regulating separations for mental health problems does not allow coding for other than “Personality Disorder.”  The advisory opinions indicate that it would be an injustice to apply an erroneous label to an individual because of a recognized administrative shortfall as occurred in this case.  We agree and, in order to preclude a possible injustice, recommend that the applicant's SPD code and narrative reason for discharge be changed to “KFF” and “Secretarial Authority,” respectively.  However, the applicant’s current RE code was driven by her administrative discharge, which was appropriate given her adjustment disorder. She has not demonstrated that her RE code is erroneous or unjust or that she could function any better today within the military environment.  Therefore, her records should be corrected to the extent indicated below.

_________________________________________________________________

THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT:

The pertinent military records of the Department of the Air Force relating to APPLICANT, be corrected to show that, on 27 Feb 98, she was honorably discharged under the provisions of AFI 36-3208, Secretarial Authority, and was issued a separation program designator code of “KFF.”

_________________________________________________________________

The following members of the Board considered this application in Executive Session on 1 August 2001 under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:

			Vice Chair
			Member
			Member

All members voted to correct the records, as recommended.  The following documentary evidence was considered:

   Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 3 Mar 01, w/atchs.
   Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
   Exhibit C.  Letter, AFBCMR Medical Consultant, dated 3 May 01.
   Exhibit D.  Letter, HQ AFPC/DPPRS, dated 1 Jun 01.

   Exhibit E.  Letter, HQ AFPC/DPPAE, dated 11 Jun 01.
   Exhibit F.  Letter, SAF/MIBR, dated 22 Jun 01.
   Exhibit G.  Letter, Applicant, 9 Jun 01, w/atch.

                                   
                                   Vice Chair 

AFBCMR 01-00929

MEMORANDUM FOR THE CHIEF OF STAFF

	Having received and considered the recommendation of the Air Force Board for Correction of Military Records and under the authority of Section 1552, Title 10, United States Code (70A Stat 116), it is directed that:

	The pertinent military records of the Department of the Air Force relating to XXXXXX, be corrected to show that, on 27 February 1998, she was honorably discharged under the provisions of AFI 36-3208, Secretarial Authority, and was issued a separation program designator code of “KFF.”

                                                                       
                                                                       Director
                                                                       Air Force Review Boards Agency