RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER: 02-01129

	 	COUNSEL:  NONE

	 	HEARING DESIRED:  YES

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APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

Her Reenlistment Eligibility (RE) Code be changed to allow her to reenlist.

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THE APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

Her separation was inequitable because any depression she may have experienced was situational due to a dramatic decline in her physical health.  

The applicant states that she was separated with an RE Code of 2C after being hospitalized with pneumonia, anemia, dehydration and a bladder infection.  Prior to her separation, she was told that she would be able to reenlist in six months when she was well, and at no point were the words “personality disorder” used.  The RE Code is hindering her ability to reenlist into the armed forces.

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 7 June 2001 for a period of six years.

On 26 July 2001, the applicant underwent a mental health evaluation and was diagnosed with major depressive disorder, recurrent, severe.

On 2 August 2001, the commander notified the applicant that he was recommending her discharge with an entry level separation for conditions that interfere with military service.  Specifically, for a mental disorder.

The applicant was separated on 14 August 2001, under the provisions of AFI 36-3208 (Personality Disorder) and issued an RE Code of 2C.  She completed two months and nine days of active service and her service was uncharacterized.

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AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

AFPC/DPPRS recommends the application be denied and states, in part, that the discharge was consistent with the procedural and substantive requirements of the discharge regulation.  In addition, the discharge was within the sound discretion of the discharge authority.

AFPC/DPPRS notes that airmen are given entry-level separation/uncharacterized service characterization when separation is initiated in the first 180 days of continuous active service.  The Department of Defense determined that if a member served less than 180 days of continuous active service, it would be unfair to the member and the service to characterize their limited service.

The AFPC/DPPRS evaluation is at Exhibit C.

BCMR Medical Consultant states, in part, that no change in the RE Code is warranted; however, the narrative reason for discharge may be changed to Secretarial Authority.

The BCMR Medical Consultant notes that the standard codes for reason for discharge do not have mental health diagnoses other than personality disorder.  The personality disorder code is utilized administratively as a general term for all mental health diagnoses but in clinical use, “personality disorder” is the label for a specific diagnostic category for which the applicant was not diagnosed.  Although the action and disposition in the case are proper and equitable reflecting compliance with Air Force directives, the narrative reason for discharge unjustly labels the applicant with a condition, which she does not have.  The evidence of record supports that she had an existing prior to service history of major depressive disorder, recurrent, severe, that is disqualifying for enlistment.

The BCMR Medical Consultant evaluation is at Exhibit D.

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

The AFPC/DPPAE evaluation is at Exhibit E.

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APPLICANT’S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

Complete copies of the Air Force evaluations were forwarded to the applicant on 16 August 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.  Sufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the existence of error or injustice to warrant changing the applicant’s narrative reason for separation and separation code.  Having carefully reviewed this application, we agree with the opinion and recommendation of the AFBCMR Medical Consultant that, in order to correct an injustice of improperly labeling the applicant’s disorder, her narrative reason for separation and separation code should be changed.  In view of the foregoing, we recommend the applicant’s records be corrected as indicated below.

4.  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.  Notwithstanding the change we propose to the narrative reason for her separation, it appears that the decision to separate the applicant was proper based on her situation at the time.  The RE code which was issued at the time of her discharge accurately reflects the circumstances of her separation, i.e., involuntarily separated with an entry level separation without characterization of service.  Accordingly, 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.

5.  The applicant's case is adequately documented and it has not been shown that a personal appearance with or without counsel will materially add to our understanding of the issues involved.  Therefore, the request for a hearing 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 the narrative reason for separation, issued in conjunction with her entry level separation on 14 August 2001, was “Secretarial Authority” and the separation program designator (SPD) code was “JFF.”

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The following members of the Board considered Docket Number 02-01129 in Executive Session on 24 October 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 11 Apr 02, w/atchs.
    Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
    Exhibit C.  Letter, AFPC/DPPRS, undated.
    Exhibit D.  Letter, BCMR Medical Consultant, dated 13 May 02.
    Exhibit E.  Letter, AFPC/DPPAE, dated 8 Aug 02.
    Exhibit F.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 16 Aug 02.

                                   

AFBCMR 02-01129

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 the narrative reason for separation, issued in conjunction with her entry level separation on 14 August 2001, was “Secretarial Authority” and the separation program designator (SPD) code was “JFF.”