RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
         AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER:  01-01252
		INDEX CODE:  112.00

		COUNSEL:  CHAGNON W. FRANCIS

		HEARING DESIRED:  NO

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APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

His separation and reenlistment eligibility (RE) codes and narrative reason for separation be changed to reflect convenience of the Air Force.

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APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

On 16 April 1997, his parents attended his graduation from Basic Military Training.  While there, his father told him he had terminal cancer.  It hurt him to find out that his father was dying.  Because he was worried about his father and preoccupied by his condition, he had a tough time getting through technical training.  However, he successfully graduated from the Supply Management Apprenticeship Course at Lackland AFB, TX, and requested a humanitarian reassignment to Travis AFB.  That request was granted and he arrived at Travis on 27 June 1997.  On 19 August 1997, his father passed away.  His father’s death really shook him up.  On 13 November 1997, he was ordered to go to the hospital and prescribed the drug Buspar.  He started having nightmares.  He was taken off the drug Buspar and has been feeling much better.

He states that when he received this discharge package he was very surprised.  He acknowledges that he has had difficulty in the past six (6) months or so.  His father’s sudden death explains that.  He believes his reaction was fairly normal and he is stunned that the Air Force would propose his discharge based on his temporary difficulty to adjust. He states he did not want to be discharged from the Air Force and believes he can be an effective airman.

Applicant's complete submission is attached at Exhibit A.

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STATEMENT OF FACTS:

The relevant facts pertaining to this application, extracted from the applicant’s military records, are contained in the letter prepared by the appropriate office of the Air Force.  Accordingly, there is no need to recite these facts in these Records of Proceedings.

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AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

The Chief Medical Consultant, AFBCMR, reviewed the application and states that there is no question that the events surrounding his father’s diagnosis of cancer and demise some 4 months later had a huge impact on the applicant’s psyche.  Appropriate counseling and treatment were initiated which brought some relief, but also resulted in diagnosing his underlying personality disorder that clearly contributed to the unusual and disruptive reactions when his father’s untimely death ensued.  While the maladjustment to this event was the trigger to his psychological testing and hospitalizations, such reactions to grief are not what are normally seen, and this can be attributed to an underlying personality makeup that compounded the problem for the applicant.  In this case, the applicant furnishes no information from other sources that would point to his not possessing this particular personality disorder, and without such evidence, he must rely on the diagnoses rendered by competent medical authority as being valid and unsuiting reasons for his shortened Air Force enlistment.  Favorable consideration of this request is not recommended.  Therefore, he recommends denial of applicant’s request.

A complete copy of the evaluation is attached at Exhibit C.

The Assistant NCOIC, Separation Procedures Section, AFPC/DPPRS, reviewed the application and states that they believe the discharge was consistent with the procedural and substantive requirements of the discharge regulation at that time.  Additionally, the discharge was within the sound discretion of the discharge authority.  Accordingly, they concur with the Medical Consultant and recommend denial of the applicant’s request.

A complete copy of their evaluation is attached at Exhibit D.

The Assistant Chief, Skills Management Branch, AFPC/DPPAE, reviewed the application and states that the RE code of 2C, “Involuntarily separated with an honorable discharge; or entry level separation without characterization of service” is correct.

A complete copy of their evaluation is attached at Exhibit E.

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APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

On 27 July 2001, complete copies of the Air Force evaluations were forwarded to the applicant for review and response within 30 days.  As of this date, no response has been received by this office. 

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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 an injustice in regards to the reason for applicant’s separation.  In this respect, we note that the Chief Medical Consultant indicates that there is no question that the events surrounding his father’s diagnosis of cancer and demise some 4 months later had a huge impact on the applicant’s psyche.  Therefore, we believe that the reason for his separation is unduly harsh and recommend the reason be changed to “Secretarial Authority”.

4.	Insufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the existence of probable error or injustice warranting a change in his Reenlistment Eligibility (RE) code.  While we believe that the reason for his separation was harsh, the RE code he was issued appears to have been appropriate.  Therefore, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, we find no basis upon which to recommend favorable action on his request for a change in his RE code.

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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 on  20 February 1998, he was discharged under the provisions of AFI 36-3208, Secretarial Authority, and issued a Separation Program Designator of “JFF.”

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The following members of the Board considered this application in Executive Session on 11 September 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 12 Feb 01, w/atchs.
   Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
   Exhibit C.  Letter, AFBCMR, dated 24 May 01.
   Exhibit D.  Letter, AFPC/DPPRS, dated 15 Jun 01.
   Exhibit E.  Letter, AFPC/DPPAE, dated 21 Jun 01.
   Exhibit F.  Letter, AFBCMR, 27 Jul 01.

                                   Panel Chair

AFBCMR 01-01252
INDEX CODE:  112.00

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 , be corrected to show that on 20 February 1998, he was discharged under the provisions of AFI 36-3208, Secretarial Authority, and issued a Separation Program Designator of “JFF.”

		
		Director
		Air Force Review Boards Agency