RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:				DOCKET NUMBER:  02-02648
INDEX CODE:  112.10 
	XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX		COUNSEL: NONE

	XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX				HEARING DESIRED:  NO

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APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: 

His reenlistment eligibility (RE) code be changed from 2C (entry level separation without characterization of service) to enable him to enter the Air Force Reserve.

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APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

He was an ignorant and irresponsible 17-year old kid, who was experiencing difficult family matters, when he enlisted in the military.  He should not be punished for the rest of his life for bad decisions he made as an immature teen.  He is now a mature family man, working full-time and attending college full-time.  He is intelligent and responsible and wishes to serve his country proudly and with great honor.  His records need to be changed to show a different reason for discharge so he can enlist in the Air Force Reserve.

In support of his application, the applicant provided a personal statement.  The applicant’s complete submission, with attachment, is at Exhibit A.

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STATEMENT OF FACTS:

On 12 June 1997, the applicant enlisted in the Regular Air Force at the age of 17 in the grade of airman basic (E-1) for a period of four years.  During his basic military training, the applicant was referred to Wilford Hall Medical Center Behavioral Analysis Service by his Chaplain because of the applicant’s expressed concerns about the fear of dying.  The applicant experienced difficulty with sleep, appetite, concentration, energy, feelings of depression, and persistent worries of dying.

On 26 June 1997, the attending psychiatrist diagnosed the applicant with adjustment disorder with depressed mood and recommended the applicant be returned to duty.  On 30 June 1997, the applicant was reevaluated by the inpatient psychiatry service because he was experiencing increasingly severe symptoms.  The attending psychiatrist concurred with the earlier diagnosis of adjustment disorder with depressed mood and recommended the applicant’s administrative discharge because the disorder significantly impaired his ability to function in the military.  On 3 July 1997, the applicant’s commander notified the applicant of his recommendation to discharge the applicant under an entry-level separation and, if approved, he would be ineligible to reenlist in the Air Force.  On 3 July 1997, the applicant acknowledged receipt of the recommendation, waived his option to consult counsel and waived his right to submit statements.  On 8 July 1997, the recommendation was found to be legally sufficient by the assistant judge advocate and was approved by the discharge authority under provisions of AFPD 36-32 and AFI 36-3208, Chapter 5, Section B, Paragraph 5.11.1 because of mental disorder.  

The applicant was discharged effective 9 July 1997 with an uncharacterized entry-level separation with a reentry code of 2C (entry level separation without characterization of service) and a separation code of JFX (personality disorder).  He had served 28 days on active duty.

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AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

The BCMR Medical Consultant states that even though the narrative reason for discharge on the applicant’s DD Form 214 is listed as personality disorder, the applicant was not diagnosed with a personality disorder.  Department of Defense uses the term “personality order” administratively to include all unsuiting character and behavior disorders including Adjustment Disorder, Personality Disorders, and Impulse Control Disorders.  This term is confusing because the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders uses the term “personality disorder” in a specific, defined manner to classify specific disorders of personality that do not include Adjustment Disorder or Impulse Control Disorder.  Prior regulations used the more inclusive and less confusing “character and behavior disorder.”

Since the applicant was not diagnosed with a personality disorder and was further not noted to demonstrated maladaptive traits suggestive of a personality disorder, it is the Medical Consultant’s opinion that it is inaccurate to list the narrative reason as personality disorder, even though administratively it is correct.  Action and disposition in this case are proper and equitable reflecting compliance with Air Force directives that implement the law.

The BCMR Medical Consultant is of the opinion that the narrative reason for discharged should be changed to Secretarial Authority, but feels no change in the RE Code is warranted.  Details of his evaluation are at Exhibit C.

AFPC/DPPAE indicated that the reenlistment code 2C, “Involuntarily separated with an honorable discharge; or entry level separation without characterization of service” was properly accessed to the applicant’s record as he was discharged in accordance with Air Force directives.  The DPPAE evaluation is at Exhibit D.

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APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

Copies of the Air Force evaluations were forwarded to the applicant on 3 January 2003, for review and comment within 30 days (Exhibit E).  As of this date, this office has received no response.

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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 not timely filed; however, it is in the interest of justice to excuse the failure to timely file.

3.  Sufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the existence of probable error or injustice warranting a change in the reason for separation.  After reviewing the evidence of record, we are persuaded that some relief is warranted.  We note that the discharge action taken against the applicant was in accordance with the applicable instruction.  However, after reviewing the applicant’s request and the evidence of record, we find the narrative reason for his entry-level separation, “Personality Disorder,” to be inappropriate.  We feel since the applicant was never diagnosed with a personality disorder, it is inaccurate to list the narrative reason for separation as such.  We noted that the BCMR Medical Consultant has indicated that current Air Force Instructions regulating separations for mental health do not allow for variations thereof, thus at times, improperly labeling the reason for separation.  We believe this has happened in this case.  Therefore, we recommend that the narrative reason for his separation be changed to reflect “Secretarial Authority.”  The applicant states he is coping well with stress associated with family responsibilities, full-time work and college coursework since his discharge; however, he has failed to provide documentary evidence showing that he would not experience the same symptoms of adjustment disorder in the military that he suffered previously while on active duty.  The RE Code which was issued at the time of the applicant’s separation accurately reflects the circumstances of his separation and we do not find this code to be in error or unjust.  Accordingly, his request to change his RE Code 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 his honorable discharge on 9 July 1997, was “Secretarial Authority” and the separation program designator (SPD) code was “KFF.” 

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The following members of the Board considered this application in Executive Session on 5 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 13 Aug 02, w/atch.
     Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
     Exhibit C.  Letter, BCMR Medical Consultant, dated
                 25 Oct 02.
     Exhibit D.  Letter, AFPC/DPPAE, dated 24 Dec 02.

                                  

AFBCMR 02-02648

MEMORANDUM FOR THE CHIEF OF STAFF

	Having received and considered the recommendation of the Air Force Board of 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 XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX, be corrected to show that the narrative reason for separation, issued in conjunction with his honorable discharge on 9 July 1997, was “Secretarial Authority” and the separation program designator (SPD) code was “KFF.”