RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER:  02-00655
		INDEX CODE:  110.02
		COUNSEL:  NONE

		HEARING DESIRED:  NO

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APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

The narrative reason for his separation be changed from Personality Disorder to Hardship Discharge and his Reenlistment Eligibility (RE) Code be changed.  
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APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

He should have been released on a hardship discharge versus a personality disorder separation.  He had no disciplinary action held against him while on active duty.

While he was in the Aerospace Propulsion Course at Sheppard AFB, TX, his great grandfather to whom he was very close, was diagnosed with terminal cancer and was given four to six months to live.  He was also informed that his parents were going through a divorce.  These events created a lot of stress and anxiety for him since he was the only child and could not be there for support.  He spoke with the base Chaplain about his situation and was advised to get an appointment with the Mental Health Clinic.  

When he was in the Air Force he did not know about a hardship separation and believes that his situation falls under a hardship rather than a personality disorder. 

In support of his request, applicant submits a personal statement, a copy of his DD Form 214 and a copy of his Basic Military Training Student Performance Summary.  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 31 May 2000 and following completion of Basic Military Training, was enrolled in technical training at Sheppard AFB, TX.

On 22 September 2000, the staff clinical psychologist, Air Education and Training Command, performed a mental health evaluation on the applicant after an initial evaluation and individual therapy by clinical psychologists, Sheppard Outpatient Mental Health Clinic.  It was determined that the applicant was having difficulties with stress-related physical complaints.  The mental health evaluation diagnosed him as having maladjustment to military service due to the aftereffects of witnessing traumatic events that occurred years prior to entering active service.  The recommendations to the commanding officer were to expeditiously process him for administrative separation and to continue therapeutic support until his discharge. 

On 28 September 2000 in accordance with AFPD 36-32 and AFI 36-3208, Chapter 5, Section B, Involuntary Convenience of the Government, paragraph 5.11, Conditions that Interfere with Military Service, specifically, paragraph 5.11.1 Mental Disorders, the commander initiated discharge proceedings against the applicant.  The applicant was advised of his rights in this matter.  The applicant waived his right to legal counsel and to submit statements in his behalf.  On 19 October 2000, the discharge authority directed that the applicant be discharged from the Air Force under the provisions of AFPD 36-32 and AFI 36-3208, Chapter 5, Section B, Involuntary Convenience of the Government, Paragraph 5.11, Conditions that Interfere with Military Service, specifically paragraph 5.11.1, Mental Disorders, with a type of discharge as an entry-level separation.  The applicant was discharged on 23 October 2000 by reason of “Personality Disorder” with a Separation Code of “JFX” and a RE code of “2C.”  He had served 4 months and 23 days on active duty.

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AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

The BCMR Medical Consultant recommends the application be partially granted.  The BCMR Medical Consultant states that the applicant had existing-prior-to-service Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and developed an adjustment disorder while in technical training.  Although action and disposition in this case are proper and equitable reflecting compliance with Air Force directives that implement the law, the narrative reason in the DD Form 214 for the applicant’s discharge as personality disorder is not accurate.  The BCMR Medical Consultant states that the narrative reason for discharge should be changed from personality disorder to Secretarial Authority and the RE code of 2C should remain unchanged.  The BCMR Medical Consultant’s evaluation is at Exhibit C.

AFPC/DPPRS states that based upon the documentation in the file, the discharge was consistent with the procedural and substantive requirements of the discharge regulation.  However, a change in the narrative reason for separation should read “Secretarial Authority” with a Separation Code of “JFF.”  The AFPC/DPPRS evaluation is at Exhibit D.

AFPC/DPPAE states that the RE code of 2C, “Involuntarily separated with an honorable discharge; or entry level separation without characterization of service” is correct.  The DPPAE evaluation is at Exhibit E.

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APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

Applicant advised the Board of his new address and that he had received the evaluations.  Applicant’s letter 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 provided to demonstrate the existence of injustice that would warrant a change in the reason for separation.  After reviewing his submission and the evidence of record, we are persuaded that some relief is warranted.  We note that the separation action taken against the applicant was in accordance with the applicable instruction.  However, after reviewing the evidence of record and the BCMR Medical Consultant’s recommendation, it is our opinion that the narrative reason improperly labels the reason for his discharge.  It appears to us that the current reason could be misconstrued to infer that his separation was due to actual “personality disorders” instead of a maladjustment to military service.  Therefore, in order to correct an injustice of improperly labeling the applicant, his narrative reason for separation should be corrected to accurately reflect the circumstances of his separation.  Therefore, we recommend that the narrative reason for his separation and corresponding separation code be changed to reflect “Secretarial Authority.” 

4.  Insufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the existence of error or injustice that would warrant a change to his RE code.  Notwithstanding our belief that the reason for the applicant’s separation should be changed, evidence has not been provided which would lead us to conclude that his involuntary separation was inappropriate.  The record shows that the applicant was experiencing problems adjusting to military service based not only on contemporaneous events but also on events which occurred prior to his entry on active duty.  In view of the above and in the absence of any evidence that would lead us to believe that the applicant would now be able to successfully function in a military environment, this request is not favorably considered. 
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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 23 October 2000, he was separated under the provisions of AFI 36-3208, paragraph 1.2 (Secretarial Authority) with a separation code of JFF. 

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The following members of the Board considered this application AFBCMR Docket Number 02-00655 in Executive Session on 19 February 2003, 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 14 Feb 02, w/atchs.
    Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
    Exhibit C.  Letter, BCMR Medical Consultant, dated 21 Aug 02.
    Exhibit D.  Letter, AFPC/DPPRS, dated 18 Sep 02.
    Exhibit E.  Letter, AFPC/DPPAE, dated 12 Oct 02.
    Exhibit F.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 22 Nov 02.
    Exhibit J.  Letter, Applicant, dated 16 Jan 02.

                                   

AFBCMR 02-00655

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 XXXXXXXX, be corrected to show that on 23 October 2000, he was separated under the provisions of AFI 36-3208, paragraph 1.2 (Secretarial Authority) with a separation code of JFF.