RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
         AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER:  01-01110
		INDEX CODE:  110.02

		COUNSEL:  NONE

		HEARING DESIRED:  NO

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APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

Her narrative reason for discharge be changed from “Personality Disorder” to either “Panic Disorder” or simply state “Medical discharge without diagnosis shown.”

By amendment at Exhibit G, applicant requests that her DD Form 214 be reissued placing “Medical IAW AFI 36-3208, para 5.11.1” or “Mental Disorder that Interferes with Military Services” as suggested by the AFBCMR Medical Consultant (Exhibit C).  Concurrently, the correction of her RE code of 3C to 2C, negating the DD Form 215 issued as an administrative correction to her DD Form 214.
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APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

The diagnosis given is erroneous.  Any diagnosis shown on the DD Form 214 is a violation of privileged information.

In support of her request, the applicant submits a copy of a letter to Congressman Edwards from her parents and additional documents associated with the issues cited in her contentions.  The applicant’s complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A.
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STATEMENT OF FACTS:

The applicant enlisted in the Regular Air Force on 20 Oct 99 in the grade of airman first class (E-3) for a period of four years.

On 24 Jul 00, the applicant received notification that she was being recommended for discharge for conditions that interfere with military service; specifically, mental disorders.  The reason for this discharge action was that, on 17 Jul 00, she was diagnosed with DSM-IV Diagnostic Classification, Axis II, borderline personality disorder after an evaluation by a psychiatrist at Lackland AFB, TX.  She received an honorable discharge on 28 Jul 00 under the provisions of AFI 36-3208 (personality disorder).  She had completed a total of 9 months and 8 days and was serving in the grade of airman first class (E‑3) at the time of discharge.  She received an RE Code of 3C, which defined means “First-term airman not yet considered under the Selective Reenlistment Program (SRP).”  However, due to an administrative correction, the applicant’s RE code has been changed to 2C, which defined means “Involuntarily separated with an honorable discharge; or entry level separation without characterization of service.”

The remaining relevant facts pertaining to this application, extracted from the applicant’s military records, are contained in the letter prepared by the AFBCMR Medical Consultant at Exhibit C.
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AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

The AFBCMR Medical Consultant stated that the applicant completed basic training and was in technical school at Keesler AFB when she was first seen for mental health concerns.  Upon completion of technical training, the applicant was assigned to Mt. Home AFB.  She was essentially non-functional during the time spent at Mt. Home AFB, being first seen for continued problems in late May shortly after her arrival, and was hospitalized in the local civilian hospital in Jun and again in early Jul 00 for impulsive and self-mutilating behavior, with concerns for both suicidal and homicidal potential.  The applicant was transferred to Wilford Hall Medical Center (WHMC) where she remained for a week, 10-17 Jul 00, and was diagnosed with a borderline personality disorder, following her civilian provider’s impression of having strong cluster B mixed personality disorder traits along with major depression.  Upon completion of her WHMC stay, she was returned to Mt. Home AFB where administrative discharge followed based on the severity of her diagnosed mental health condition.  The AFBCMR Medical Consultant indicated that the applicant was not found to have a psychiatric diagnosis for which consideration in the Disability Evaluation System (DES) would have been warranted.

The AFBCMR Medical Consultant stated that the applicant clearly had difficulty adjusting to the military environment.  The letter from her family physician that accompanies this application speaks to her “panic attacks” and downplays the possibility of her having a personality disorder, having seen no prior history of problems similar to what she experienced in the Air Force.  The AFBCMR Medical Consultant disagrees with this opinion.  Evidence of record establishes beyond all reasonable doubt that no error or injustice occurred in this case.  The narrative reason for discharge on the DD Form 214 is proper, and has been used in such cases over an extended period of time.  As the diagnosis appears to have been established by competent medical authority over an extended period of time (both civilian and military), it reflects the true reason for her discharge and should remain unchanged unless substituted by the words “Mental Disorder that Interferes with Military Service.”  The AFBCMR Medical Consultant is of the opinion that no change in the records is warranted and the application should be denied.  The AFBCMR Medical Consultant’s evaluation is at Exhibit C.

HQ AFPC/DPPAE stated that the applicant’s reenlistment eligibility (RE) code of 3C is incorrect.  Therefore, it has been administratively corrected to reflect 2C.  The HQ APFC/DPPAE evaluation is at Exhibit D.

HQ AFPC/DPPRS stated that, based upon the documentation in the file, they believe the discharge was consistent with the procedural and substantive requirements of the discharge regulation; and, was within the sound discretion of the discharge authority.  DPPRS concurred with the AFBCMR Medical Consultant that the statements of the applicant’s discharge and the narrative reason for discharge are correct and do not warrant a change in her records.  Accordingly, DPPRS recommended the applicant’s request be denied.  The HQ AFPC/DPPRS evaluation is at Exhibit E.

EXAMINER’S NOTE:  Through further research with HQ AFPC/DPPRS, they indicated that “Mental Disorder that Interferes with Military Service” is not an approved Department of Defense (DoD) narrative description for separation.
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APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATIONS:

The applicant reviewed the advisory opinions and indicated that she now requests that her DD Form 214 be reissued placing “Medical IAW AFI 36-3208, para 5.11.1” or “Mental Disorder that Interferes with Military Services” as suggested by the AFBCMR Medical Consultant (Exhibit C).  Concurrently, the correction of her RE code of 3C to 2C, negating the DD Form 215 issued.  Showing any diagnosis on a DD Form 214 should be considered a violation of confidential information; however, the AFBCMR Medical Consultant’s suggestion would at least be less damaging.  The current diagnosis will create a stigma that in all likelihood will cause her to be discriminated against when seeking employment.  Any action less than reissuing a clean DD Form 214 will seriously jeopardize her ability to obtain employment and become a self-sufficient asset to society.  The applicant’s complete submission is at Exhibit G.
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THE BOARD CONCLUDES THAT:

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

2.  The application was timely filed.

3.  Sufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the existence of probable injustice warranting some relief.  After reviewing the applicant's submission, and in particular, the statement by her treating physician, as well as the evidence of record, we find the narrative reason for her separation; i.e., personality disorder, to be overly harsh.  We are of the opinion that, in the interest of justice, her narrative reason for separation and separation code should be changed.  Inasmuch as “Mental Disorder that Interferes with Military Service” is not an approved DoD narrative description for separation, we recommend it be changed to “Secretarial Authority,” which is a Correction Board action.  In our estimation, such a change will afford the applicant proper and fitting relief based on the circumstances of her case.  With regard to reissuing a new DD Form 214, considering the impact the current narrative reason for her separation could have on her future employability, we do not believe that she should carry the stigma of such a derogatory reason for separation.  We therefore recommend that a new corrected DD Form 214 be issued.  Although it appears the applicant is not contesting the decision to effect her separation, we are constrained to note that the record clearly shows that she was experiencing great difficulties adapting to the military service and we agree that the termination of her enlistment was in the best interests of both the Air Force and the applicant.  Accordingly, based on the evidence provided, the applicant’s records should be corrected only to the extent indicated below.
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THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT:

The pertinent military records of the Department of the Air Force relating to APPLICANT be corrected to show that:

	a.  The narrative reason for her separation, issued in conjunction with her honorable discharge on 28 July 2000, was “Secretarial Authority” and the separation program designator (SPD) code was “KFF.”

	b.  The DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, issued on 28 July 2000; and, the DD Form 215, Correction to DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, issued on 7 September 2001, be declared void.

	c.  A new DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, be issued, with the corrected narrative reason for separation of “Secretarial Authority,” the separation program designator (SPD) code of “KFF”; and, the corrected reentry code of “2C.”
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The following members of the Board considered this application in Executive Session on 31 October 2001, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:

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

   Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 16 Apr 01, w/atchs.
   Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
   Exhibit C.  Letter, AFBCMR Medical Consultant, dated
               24 Jul 01.
   Exhibit D.  Letter, HQ AFPC/DPPAE, dated 30 Aug 01.
   Exhibit E.  Letter, HQ AFPC/DPPRS, dated 12 Sep 01.
   Exhibit F.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 28 Sep 01.
   Exhibit G.  Letter from applicant, dated 4 Oct 01.

                                   
                                   Panel Chair

AFBCMR 01-01110

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 APPLICANT be corrected to show that:

		a.  The narrative reason for her separation, issued in conjunction with her honorable discharge on 28 July 2000, was “Secretarial Authority” and the separation program designator (SPD) code was “KFF.”

		b.  The DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, issued on 28 July 2000; and, the DD Form 215, Correction to DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, issued on 7 September 2001, be, and hereby are, declared void.

		c.  A new DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, be, and hereby is, issued, with the corrected narrative reason for separation of “Secretarial Authority,” the separation program designator (SPD) code of “KFF”; and, the corrected reentry code of “2C.”

		
                                     	Director
                                     	Air Force Review Boards Agency