RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER: 01-03101

	 	COUNSEL:  NONE

	 	HEARING DESIRED:  NO

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APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

Her Reenlistment Eligibility (RE) code be changed to allow her to enlist in the Air Force, or in the alternative, her RE code be waived to allow her enlistment in the Air Force.

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THE APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

She was separated for academic reasons and not conduct.

The applicant states that through no fault of her own, she was unable to pass her test.  She was diagnosed with test anxiety and on her final exam, she was not provided sufficient time to test.

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 17 June 1999 for a period of four years.

On 5 October 1999, the applicant was notified that her commander was recommending that she be discharged from the Air Force for entry level performance and conduct.  The reason for this action was that the applicant failed to make satisfactory progress in a required training program.  Specifically, she failed block exam I (twice) and scores of 60%, 68%, and 60% -- the minimum passing score was 70%.  Prior to the disenrollment, she was counseled concerning her academic failures.  As a result, she was disenrolled from the technical training course on 27 September 1999.

On 18 October 1999, the applicant received an uncharacterized entry level separation from the Air Force in the grade of airman first class (E-3), under the provisions of AFI 36-3208 (Entry Level Performance and Conduct), and was issued an RE code of 2C and a separation code of JGA (Entry Level).  She completed 4 months and 2 days of active service.

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AIR FORCE EVALUATIONS:

AFPC/DPPRS recommends the application be denied. AFPC/DPPRS states, in part, that based upon the documentation in the file, 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.  The applicant did not submit any new evidence or identify any errors or injustices that occurred in the discharge processing.

The AFPC/DPPRS evaluation is at Exhibit C.

AFPC/DPPAE states, in part, that RE code 2C (Involuntarily separated with an honorable discharge, or entry level separation without characterization of service) is correct.

The AFPC/DPPAE evaluation is at Exhibit D.

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APPLICANT’S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATIONS:

Complete copies of the Air Force evaluation were forwarded to the applicant on 15 March 2002 for review and response within 30 days.  However, 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.  Insufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the existence of error or injustice concerning the applicant’s RE code.  The applicant has provided no evidence showing that her assigned RE code is in error or contrary to the prevailing instruction.  The RE code which was issued at the time of the applicant’s separation accurately reflects the circumstances of her separation and we do not find this code to be in error or unjust.  We, therefore, conclude that no basis exists upon which to recommend favorable action on her request that it be changed.

4.  Sufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the existence of error or injustice warranting a change in the reason for her separation.  After reviewing the applicant’s submission and the evidence of record, we are persuaded that some relief is warranted.  It appears that the discharge action taken against the applicant was in accordance with the applicable instruction and we find no evidence that her separation from the Air Force was inappropriate.  However, after reviewing the applicant’s request and the evidence of record, we find the narrative reason for her entry level separation; i.e., entry level performance and conduct, to be overly harsh.  In our deliberations of this case, it appeared to us that the word “conduct” could be misconstrued to infer that her separation for academic deficiency was also due to misconduct.  While the applicant may have had problems progressing in the required training program, we have seen no evidence of misconduct.  Therefore, in order to correct an injustice of improperly labeling the applicant, her narrative reason for separation should be corrected to accurately reflect the circumstances of her separation.  In view of the foregoing, we recommend the applicant’s records be corrected by deleting the words “and conduct” from her narrative reason for separation.

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THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT:

The pertinent military records of the Department of the Air Force relating to APPLICANT be corrected by deleting the words “and conduct” from Block 28 (Narrative Reason for Separation) on her DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, issued on 18 October 1999.

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The following members of the Board considered Docket Number 01-03101 in Executive Session on 16 April 2002, 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 22 Oct 01, w/atchs.
    Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
    Exhibit C.  Letter, AFPC/DPPRS, dated 14 Jan 02.
    Exhibit D.  Letter, AFPC/DPPAE, dated 28 Feb 02.
	Exhibit E.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 15 Mar 02.

                                  

AFBCMR 01-03101

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 by deleting the words “and conduct” from Block 28 (Narrative Reason for Separation) on her DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, issued on 18 October 1999.