RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:				DOCKET NUMBER:  BC-2002-02777
INDEX CODE:  112.10 
	XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX			COUNSEL: NONE

	XXXXXXXXXXXXXX				HEARING DESIRED:  NO

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APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: 

Her records be changed to show a different reason for discharge that would permit her to reenlist.

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APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

She is no longer an indecisive teenager, but a responsible, mature adult.  Her depression was not a direct result of being in the Air Force.  She has matured over the past four and one half years since her discharge.  She sought counseling following her discharge and she is now able to keep “those not so pleasant moods” in check.  She has married an active duty Marine and has been attending college. 

In support of her application, the applicant provided a personal statement, a DD Form 293, Application for the Review of Discharge or Dismissal From the Armed Forces of the United States, and two letters of reference.  The applicant’s complete submission, with attachment, is at Exhibit A.

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STATEMENT OF FACTS:

On 1 April 1998, 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 her technical military training, the applicant was recommended for separation by the military training flight chief for personal problems and state of mind.  On 22‑24 June 1998, she was evaluated at Sheppard Mental Health Unit and diagnosed with Adjustment Order with Depressed Mood.  The attending psychiatrist stated the applicant did not have a severe mental disorder and was not considered mentally disordered; however, she manifested a disorder of character, behavior, and adaptability of such severity so as to preclude adequate military service. The psychiatrist stated that due to the applicant’s pattern of maladaptive responses to routine personal and/or work related stressors, she might become dangerous to herself or to others in the future.  The psychiatrist recommended that the applicant should be processed for an expeditious administrative separation.

On 8 July 1998, the applicant’s commander notified her of his intentions to recommend her for an entry-level separation due to a mental disorder.  He stated if the discharge was approved, she would be ineligible for reenlistment in the Air Force and probably be denied enlistment in any component of the Armed Forces.  The applicant acknowledged receipt of the notification, consulted counsel, and waived her right to submit a statement.  On 9 July 1998, her commander recommended the applicant for an entry-level separation without probation or rehabilitation because of her emotional symptoms and inability to effectively function in a military assignment.  On 10 July 1998, the recommendation was found to be legally sufficient by the deputy staff judge advocate and was approved by the discharge authority under provisions of AFI 36-3208, paragraph 5.11.1 because of a mental disorder.  The applicant was discharged effective 17 July 1998 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).  She had served 3 month and 17 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 demonstrate 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 she 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 her entry-level separation, “Personality Disorder,” to be inappropriate.  Since the applicant was never diagnosed with a personality disorder, we agree with the BCMR Medical Consultant that 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 her separation be changed to “Secretarial Authority.”  The applicant states she has matured over the last four and one half years and counseling has helped her to cope well with stress since her discharge; however, she has failed to provide documentary evidence which would lead us to believe that she would not experience the same symptoms of adjustment disorder in the highly structured military environment that she 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 her separation and, in view of the above, we do not find this code to be in error or unjust.  Accordingly, her request to change her 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 her honorable discharge on 17 July 1998, 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 19 March 2003, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:

The following documentary evidence for AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2002-02777 was considered:

    Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 4 Sep 02.
    Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
    Exhibit C.  Letter, BCMR Medical Consultant, dated 24 Oct 02.
    Exhibit D.  Letter, AFPC/DPPAE, dated 24 Dec 02.
    Exhibit E.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 3 Jan 03.

                                   

AFBCMR BC-2002-02777

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 XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX, be corrected to show that the narrative reason for separation, issued in conjunction with his entry level separation on 17 July 1998, was “Secretarial Authority” and the separation program designator (SPD) code was “KFF.”