RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
         AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER:  BC-2002-02947
		INDEX CODE:	 100.03, 100.06
		COUNSEL:  NONE

		HEARING DESIRED:  NO

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APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

Her reenlistment eligibility (RE) code be changed to one that would allow her to enlist in the Air National Guard. 
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APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

She does not have a personality disorder and the narrative reason she received is unjust.  She is fully capable of accomplishing her goals and there is nothing wrong with her personality.  The stressors that caused her problems while on active duty have been resolved.  The applicant states that she realizes she made a mistake by joining the active force and asks for a second chance to serve her country in the Air National Guard.  

In support of her request, applicant provided a personal statement.  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 17 October 2001 for a term of 4 years.  She was evaluated by a clinical psychiatrist On 13 Dec 01, and diagnosed as having an Adjustment Disorder with Depressed Mood in partial remission, Occupational Problems-routine Air Force duty and Personality Disorder not Otherwise Specified.  

On 8 Jan 2002, she was notified of her commander’s intent to recommend that she be discharged from the Air Force under the provisions of AFI 36-3208, Administrative Separation of Airmen, (Entry-Level Performance and Conduct), specifically for mental disorders.    She was advised of her rights in this matter and acknowledged receipt of the notification on that same date.  She elected to waive her right to consult counsel.  In a legal review of the case file, the assistant staff judge advocate found the case legally sufficient and recommended that she be discharged without probation and rehabilitation.   The discharge authority concurred with the recommendation and directed that she be discharged with an entry-level separation.  She was discharged from the Air Force on 24 January 2002.  She served 3 months and 8 days on active duty and was issued an RE code of “2C.”

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AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

The BCMR Medical Consultant recommends denial.  The records document an Adjustment Disorder and a Personality Disorder.  Both diagnoses are unsuiting for military service and may be cause for administrative action by the individual’s unit commander.  Personality disorders are lifelong patterns of maladjustment in the individual’s personality structure, which interfere with an individual’s ability to function.  Adjustment Disorder with Depressed Mood results from identifiable stressors that overcome the individual’s ability to cope.  Individuals who develop adjustment disorders due to the stress of the routine rigors of military service with or without concomitant personal issues are not suited for military service and are subject to administrative discharge by their commander.  Once individuals are removed from the particular stressful situation, their symptoms of depressed mood resolve.  Maladaptive personality traits may not be as troublesome once the individual is out of the military environment.  Action and disposition in the case are proper and equitable reflecting compliance with Air Force directives that implement the law.  The Medical Consultant’s evaluation is at Exhibit C.

AFPC/DPPRS recommends denial.  The applicant did not submit any new evidence or identify any errors or injustices that occurred in the discharge process.  Airmen are given entry-level separation/uncharacterized service characterization when separation is initiated in the first 180 days of continuous active service.  Therefore, her uncharacterized character of service is correct and in accordance with Department of Defense and Air Force instructions.  The DPPRS evaluation is at Exhibit D.

AFPC/DPPAE recommends denial.    Based on the review of her case file, her RE code 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 states that she found out she was anemic and complained of headaches and exhaustion, although she never informed anyone of her anemic condition.  Her anemic condition caused her stress and she dealt with it by crying.  She feels that everyone makes mistakes and is entitled to a second chance.  A change in her RE code would allow her to serve in the Air National Guard, which would help her pay for college.  The applicant’s complete submission, with attachments 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 not timely filed.

3.  Insufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the existence of an error or injustice in regard to her request that her reenlistment eligibility (RE) code be changed.  After a thorough review of the documentation provided in support of her appeal and the evidence of record, it is our opinion that given the circumstances surrounding her separation from the Air Force, the RE code assigned to the applicant was proper and in compliance with the appropriate directives.  Applicant has not provided any evidence, which would lead us to believe otherwise.  Therefore, in the absence of persuasive evidence to the contrary, we find no compelling basis to recommend a change in her RE code.

4.  Notwithstanding the aforementioned, we note that the narrative reason for her separation, “Personality Disorder”, may be unjust as it may connote a record of disciplinary infractions.  However, such was not the case in this particular application.  We believe that it would be an injustice for her to continue to suffer the adverse effects of such characterization.  Accordingly, we recommend that her records be corrected to the extent indicated below.

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THE BOARD DETERMINES THAT:

The pertinent military records of the Department of the Air Force relating to APPLICANT be corrected to show that on 24 January 2002, she 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 Docket Number BC-2002-02947 in Executive Session on 9 April 2003, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:

			Panel Chair
			Member
			Member

The following documentary evidence was considered:

	Exhibit A.	DD Form 149, dated 29 Aug 02 w/atchs.
	Exhibit B.	Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
	Exhibit C.	Letter, BCMR Medical Consultant, dated 14 Nov 02.
	Exhibit D.	Letter, AFPC/DPPRS, dated 19 Dec 02.
	Exhibit E.	Letter, AFPC/DPPAE, dated 3 Feb 03.
	Exhibit F.	Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 14 Feb 03.
	Exhibit G.	Letter, Applicant, undated w/atchs.

	

 

AFBCMR BC-2002-02947	

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 on 24 January 2002, she was separated under the provisions of AFI 36-3208, paragraph 1.2 (Secretarial Authority), with a separation code of “JFF.”