RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
         AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER:  02-01231
		INDEX CODE:  110.00

		COUNSEL:  NONE

		HEARING DESIRED:  NO

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APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

His narrative reason for separation and reenlistment eligibility (RE) code of 2C be changed to allow eligibility to reenlist in the military.
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APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

His RE code is incorrect because the reason for his separation is erroneous.  The evidence he has provided proves he does not have a personality disorder.

In support of his request, the applicant submits a personal statement and additional documents associated with the issues cited in his contentions.  The applicant’s complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A.
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STATEMENT OF FACTS:

The applicant contracted his enlistment in the Regular Air Force on 29 Dec 98 for a period of 4 years in the grade of airman basic (E-1).  He was progressively promoted to the grade of airman first class (E-3), with an effective date and date of rank of 29 Apr 00.

On 1 Sep 00, the applicant received notification that he was being recommended for an involuntary discharge for Convenience of the Government - Conditions that Interfere with Military Service, Mental Disorders.  He was honorably discharged on 5 Oct 00 under the provisions of AFI 36-3208 (personality disorder).  He had completed a total of 1 year, 9 months and 7 days and was serving in the grade of airman first class (E-3) at the time of discharge.  He received an RE Code of 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 appropriate office of the Air Force at Exhibit C.
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AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

The AFBCMR Medical Consultant recommends that the applicant’s narrative reason for discharge be changed to Secretarial Authority with no change to his RE code.  The AFBCMR Medical Consultant stated that, beginning in Jan 00, the applicant was disciplined for a series of minor disciplinary infractions including speeding and parking citations, financial irresponsibility and repeated failures to report for duty.  On or about 17 Jul 00, the applicant’s commander ordered a commander-directed mental health evaluation.  The mental health evaluation diagnosed a Mixed Receptive-Expressive Language Disorder, and Probable Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, inattentive.  There was no evidence of depression or psychosis.  Negativistic personality traits were noted but no diagnosis of a personality disorder was made.  A second mental health evaluation diagnosed:  Occupational Problem, Possible Learning Disability, Possible Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and recommended stress management classes.

The AFBCMR Medical Consultant stated that the applicant was administratively discharged for a combination of poor duty performance, a pattern of misconduct (minor disciplinary infractions) and a mild learning disability that was felt to have contributed to his duty performance difficulties.  The applicant’s learning disability was unsuiting and did not merit evaluation in the disability evaluation system.  Action and disposition in this case are proper and equitable reflecting compliance with Air Force directive that implement the law.  However, the narrative reason for discharge is inaccurate.  There is no provision for listing his unsuiting learning disability as the reason for discharge as the term “personality disorder” is used for all unsuiting mental conditions that result in discharge.  Further, his discharge was not solely based on his learning disability but also poor duty performance and misconduct.  His commander however chose to provide him with the single reason for discharge that characterized his service as honorable.  Had his commander chosen to use the reason for discharge of misconduct or poor performance, a general characterization would have been a potential outcome.  Since the personality disorder label is inaccurate, a change in the narrative reason for discharge to Secretarial Authority would be appropriate.  The AFBCMR Medical Consultant’s evaluation is at Exhibit C.
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APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

A copy of the Air Force evaluation was forwarded to applicant on 5 August 2002 for review and response.  As of this date, no response has been received by this office (Exhibit D).
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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.  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, his 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 probable error or injustice concerning the applicant’s RE code.  The applicant has provided no evidence showing that his assigned RE code is in error or contrary to the prevailing instruction.  Notwithstanding the change we propose to the narrative reason for his separation, it is clear that the decision to separate the applicant was proper based on his situation at the time.  The RE code which was issued at the time of applicant’s discharge accurately reflects the circumstances of his separation, i.e., involuntarily separated with an honorable discharge.  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 his request that it be changed.
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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 his honorable discharge on 5 October 2000, was “Secretarial Authority” and the separation program designator (SPD) code was “JFF.”
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The following members of the Board considered this application in Executive Session on 12 September 2002, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:

	
All members voted to correct the records, as recommended.  The following documentary evidence was considered in connection with AFBCMR Docket Number 02-01231.

   Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 3 Apr 02, w/atchs.
   Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
   Exhibit C.  Letter, AFBCMR Medical Consultant, dated
               29 Jul 02.
   Exhibit D.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 5 Aug 02.

AFBCMR 02-01231

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 his honorable discharge on 5 October 2000, was “Secretarial Authority” and the separation program designator (SPD) code was “JFF.”