RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER:  BC-2002-03481
		INDEX CODE:  110.00

		COUNSEL:  None

		HEARING DESIRED: No

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APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

The Narrative Reason for Separation be changed from Mental Disorder to Medical.

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APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

The “Mental Disorder” is embarrassing when applying for jobs.  He is in the process of trying to become a Firefighter.  He is not comfortable in obtaining his veterans’ status because of the language on the DD Form 214.

Applicant's complete submission, with attachment, is at Exhibit A.

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STATEMENT OF FACTS:

Applicant enlisted in the Regular Air Force on 18 August 1999 for a period of four years as an airman basic.

There are no discharge documents in the applicant’s records.  However, his records indicate on 3 August 2000, he self referred to the Mental Health Clinic (MHC) because he had for several months been experiencing problems at work and being stationed in the Whiteman AFB area.  He was initially diagnosed with adjustment reaction with depressed mood.  During the 14 August 2000 counseling session the applicant was diagnosed with Adjustment Disorder with Depressed Mood.  The applicant received counseling from the MHC from 3 August through 19 October 2000.  He terminated the counseling session stating he was better and there was no need for further mental health counseling.

The applicant was seen in the MHC on 4 September 2001, because about three weeks earlier he had experienced a bad week and wanted to talk about it.  He attributed this to his being assigned to do “crappy” details at work and feeling sad because he had just returned from leave.  During the session, the applicant stated he had tried to come to MHC earlier but because an Exercise was going on his supervisor requested he reschedule his appointment.  He further stated that he was feeling a lot better and that things were going better.  There was no psychiatric determination made and the applicant did not desire any further service at this time.

On 27 November 2001, the applicant reported to MHC because he was experiencing a depressed mood because he was not permitted to go on leave for the Thanksgiving Holiday and his girlfriend had just broken up with him.  He also stated he did not know if he would hurt himself if he were carrying a gun.  The applicant agreed to be hospitalized.

The applicant was seen as a walk-in appointment after being released from the hospital on 3 December 2001, stating he felt better and was able to work though many of his problems.  He further stated that he was diagnosed at the hospital with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and was prescribed Wellburtin.

In a 4 December 2001, Memorandum for Record (MFR), the applicant’s commander, after speaking with the applicant, determined the applicant was not suited for the military, and the commander requested a commander directed mental health evaluation, which was scheduled for 13 December 2001.  The evaluation determined the applicant was experiencing depressive and anxious symptoms and most likely his depressive symptoms where chronic.  He was functioning at a lower level of efficiency due to his symptoms and did not have good coping skills to deal with his problems.  During the applicant’s 18 December 2001, counseling session he was diagnosed with an Adjustment Disorder (STET) with depressed mood, in partial remission, and Dysthymic Disorder.  This diagnosis (Dysthymic Disorder) is cited as the reason for discharge and disqualification for the nuclear weapons personnel reliability program.

The applicant was honorably discharged on 11 January 2002, in the grade of airman first class, under the provisions of AFI 36-3208, Administrative Separation of Airmen.  The applicant’s DD Form 214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) reflects Mental Disorder as the narrative reason for separation.  He served 2 years, 7 months and 18 days of active duty service.

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AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

The Chief Medical Consultant, AFBCMR, recommends the applicant’s narrative reason for separation be changed from Mental Disorder to Secretarial Authority, based on the fact the applicant was not diagnosed with a Personality Disorder.

A complete copy of the Air Force evaluation is attached at Exhibit C.

HQ AFPC/DPPRS concurs with the AFBCMR Consultant that the applicant’s narrative reason for separation be changed from Mental Disorder to Secretarial Authority with a separation program designator code of KFF.

A complete copy of the Air Force evaluation is attached at Exhibit D.

HQ AFPC/DPPAE states the applicant received a reenlistment eligibility code of "2C," indicating the member was involuntarily separated with an honorable discharge, or entry level separation without characterization, which is correct (Exhibit E).

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APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

Copies of the Air Force evaluations were forwarded to the applicant on 18 July 2003, for review and response.  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.  In this respect, it appears that the applicant was unable to adapt and cope with the stresses of military service.  However, after carefully reviewing this application we agree with the opinion and recommendation of the AFBCMR Medical Consultant that, while the current narrative reason for separation is accurate, we believe that it would be an injustice for the applicant to continue to suffer the adverse effects of such a characterization.  Accordingly, we recommend that his records be corrected to the extent 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 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 appears 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 his 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 the narrative reason for separation, issued in conjunction with his honorable discharge on 11 January 2002, was “Secretarial Authority” and the Separation Program Designator (SPD) code was “KFF.”
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The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2002-03481 in Executive Session on 17 September 2003, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:

				Panel Chair
				Member
				Member

All members voted to correct the records as recommended.  The following documentary evidence was considered:

	Exhibit A.	DD Form 149, dated 17 Sep 02, w/atch.
	Exhibit B.	Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
	Exhibit C.	Letter, AFBCMR Medical Consultant, dated
			7 May 03.
	Exhibit D.	Letter, HQ AFPC/DPPRS, dated 23 May 03.
	Exhibit E.	Letter, HQ AFPC/DPPAE, dated 8 Jul 03.
	Exhibit F.	Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 18 Jul 03.

				

AFBCMR BC-2002-03481
INDEX CODE:  110.00

MEMORANDUM FOR THE CHIEF OF STAFF

	Having received and considered the recommendation of the Air Force Board for Correction for 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 	, be corrected to show the narrative reason for separation, issued in conjunction with his honorable discharge on 11 January 2002, was “Secretarial Authority” and the Separation Program Designator (SPD) code was “KFF.”