RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
         AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER:  BC-2002-03749
		INDEX CODE:  110.02

		COUNSEL:  NONE

		HEARING DESIRED:  YES

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APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

His narrative reason for separation of "Personality Disorder" be changed to "Hardship."

His reenlistment eligibility (RE) code of "2C" be changed to "1."

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APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

While he was in technical training school, his wife suffered a hardship (mental condition) that required his immediate presence.  As a result, he was separated with an entry level separation, and the reason was mistakenly taken for his wife's situation.  Since the reason for his separation is wrong, it should be changed.  Because he is very enthusiastic about returning to the Air Force, he also desires to have his RE code changed.

In support of his appeal, the applicant provided several personal statements, a statement from his wife, congressional correspondence, and extracts from his military personnel records.

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 28 May 02 for a period of six years in the grade of airman.  

On 21 Aug 02, the applicant’s commander notified him that he was recommending that the applicant be discharged for a mental disorder.  The reason for the action was that, on 5 Aug 02, the applicant was diagnosed by a psychiatrist as having an adjustment disorder with depressed mood, as described in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Medical Disorders (DSM-IV), which was so severe that his ability to function effectively in the military environment was significantly impaired.  The applicant’s disorder was evidenced by his poor appetite, insomnia, low energy, and poor concentration.  The applicant was advised of his rights in the matter and that an entry-level separation would be recommended.

On 22 Aug 02, the Office of the Staff Judge Advocate found the discharge case file to be legally sufficient and concurred with the commander’s recommendation that the applicant should be discharged based on his mental disorder.

On 26 Aug 02, the discharge authority approved the separation of the applicant and directed that he be furnished an entry level separation.

On 27 Aug 02, the applicant was separated under the provisions of AFI 36-3208 (Personality Disorder) with an entry level separation.  He was credited with three (3) months of active service.

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AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

The Medical Consultant noted that the applicant was diagnosed with an adjustment disorder, an unsuiting condition that may but not necessarily always result in an administrative discharge.  The severity of the symptoms, the degree to which they interfere with service, the likelihood of persistence or worsening if the member remains in the service, and of the risk for recurrence are considered in recommendations for discharge.  The Medical Consultant indicated that in this case, it appears that the symptoms were mild, that the applicant demonstrated outstanding duty performance, and his commanders acted compassionately to assist him resolve his unanticipated family crisis.  He concluded that the applicant’s risk for recurrence of disabling symptoms was low since there was little evidence that his symptoms rendered him unable to satisfactorily perform his duties, and the circumstances were reversible and preventable.

The Medical Consultant stated that although the action and disposition in this case were proper and equitable reflecting compliance with Air Force directives that implement the law, the evidence of this case support change of the narrative reason for discharge to Secretarial Authority and change of the RE code that would allow reenlistment.

A complete copy of the Medical Consultant's evaluation is at Exhibit C.

AFPC/DPPRS indicated that based on the documentation in the file, they believe the discharge was consistent with the procedural and substantive requirements of the discharge regulation, and was within the sound discretion of the discharge authority.  Airmen are given entry-level separation/uncharacterized service characterization when separation is initiated in the first 180 days of continuous active service.  The Department of the Defense (DoD) determined that if a member served less than 180 days of continuous active service, it would be unfair to the member and the service to characterize their limited service.

AFPC/DPPRS stated that they concur with the Medical Consultant and recommended that the applicant's narrative reason for separation be changed to "Secretarial Authority" and his separation code to "KFF."

A complete copy of the AFPC/DPPRS evaluation is at Exhibit D.

AFPC/DPPAE indicated that the applicant's RE code of 2C ("Involuntarily separated with an honorable discharge; or entry level separation without characterization of service," is correct.

A complete copy of the AFPC/DPPAE evaluation is at Exhibit E.

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APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

Copies of the Air Force evaluations were forwarded to applicant on 18 Apr 03 for review and response.  As of this date, no response has been received by this office (Exhibit F).

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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.  Insufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the existence of error or injustice regarding the applicant’s requests that his narrative reason for separation of "Personality Disorder" be changed to "Hardship."  The evidence of record reflects that the applicant was diagnosed with an adjustment disorder with depressed mood.  A determination was made that the disorder was so severe that his ability to function effectively in the military environment was significantly impaired.  As a result, he was subsequently separated from the Air Force by reason of a personality disorder.  The applicant now requests that the reason for his separation be changed because it is wrong.  However, notwithstanding the applicant's contention, as well as the recommendations by the Medical Consultant and AFPC/DPPRS that the reason for separation be changed because of what is believed to be an administrative shortfall in the separation coding of cases of this type, a majority of the Board is not persuaded that the applicant's narrative reason for separation was improper or contrary to the governing directives under which it was effected.  In view of their opinion in this matter and in the absence of evidence that the applicant's substantial rights were violated, that the information contained in the discharge case file was erroneous, or that his superiors abused their discretionary authority, a majority of the Board finds no compelling basis to favorably consider the applicant's request.

4.  Insufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the existence of error or injustice concerning the applicant’s request that his RE code of "2C" be changed to "1."  We note that the Secretary of the Air Force has statutory authority to promulgate rules and regulations governing the administration of the Air Force.  In the exercise of that authority, the Secretary has determined that members separated from the Air Force would be furnished an RE code predicated upon the quality of their service and circumstances of their separation.  The evidence of record reflects that the applicant was involuntarily separated for a personality disorder after being diagnosed with an adjustment disorder.  As a result, he was given an entry level separation and assigned an RE code of "2C" (involuntarily separated with an honorable discharge; or entry level separation without characterization of service).  Therefore, it appears that the applicant’s RE code was appropriately assigned and accurately reflected the circumstances of his separation, and, we find no evidence to indicate the assigned RE code was in error.  In view of the foregoing, and in the absence of evidence to the contrary, we conclude that no basis exists to recommend favorable action on the applicant’s request.

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RECOMMENDATION OF THE BOARD:

A majority of the panel finds insufficient evidence of error or injustice regarding the applicant’s requests that his narrative reason for separation of "Personality Disorder" be changed to "Hardship" and recommends the request be denied.

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THE BOARD DETERMINES THAT:

The applicant be notified that the evidence presented did not demonstrate the existence of material error or injustice concerning the applicant’s request that his RE code of "2C" be changed to "1"; that the request was denied without a personal appearance; and that the request will only be reconsidered upon the submission of newly discovered relevant evidence not considered with this application.

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The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2002-03749 in Executive Session on 10 Jun 03, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:

By a majority vote, the Board voted to deny the applicant’s request that his narrative reason for separation of "Personality Disorder" be changed to "Hardship."  Mr. XXXX voted to grant the request but did not desire to submit a minority report.  The Board unanimously voted to deny the applicant’s request that his RE code of "2C" be changed to "1."  The following documentary evidence was considered:

    Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 29 Sep 02, w/atchs.
    Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
    Exhibit C.  Letter, Medical Consultant, dated 13 Feb 03.
    Exhibit D.  Letter, AFPC/DPPRS, dated 4 Mar 03.
    Exhibit E.  Letter, AFPC/DPPAE, dated 15 Apr 03.
    Exhibit F.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 18 Apr 03.

                                                                     Panel Chair

AFBCMR BC-2002-03749

MEMORANDUM FOR THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, AIR FORCE BOARD
			FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS (AFBCMR)

SUBJECT:  AFBCMR Application of 

	I have carefully reviewed the evidence of record and the recommendation of the Board members.  A majority found that applicant had not provided sufficient evidence of error or injustice regarding his request that his narrative reason for separation of "Personality Disorder" be changed to "Hardship" and recommended the request be denied.  I concur with that finding and their conclusion that relief is not warranted.  Accordingly, I accept their recommendation that this portion of the application be denied.

	Please advise the applicant accordingly.

							   Director
							   Air Force Review Boards Agency

MEMORANDUM FOR	THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS
SUBJECT:	AFBCMR Case of , AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2002-03749
I have carefully reviewed all the circumstances of this case and do not agree with the majority's view that insufficient relevant evidence has been presented warranting favorable action on the applicant’s request that his narrative reason for separation be changed.
Although the evidence of record indicates that the applicant was separated from the Air Force because of a personality disorder, the actual diagnosis was an adjustment disorder.  The majority found no evidence that the applicant’s narrative reason for separation was improper or contrary to the governing regulation under which it was effected.  However, I agree with the BCMR Medical Consultant’s assessment that the evidence in this case supports a change of the narrative reason for separation.  The Medical Consultant noted that although the applicant's diagnosis of an adjustment disorder was an unsuiting condition, in the applicant's case, it appears that the symptoms were mild.  He also noted that the applicant demonstrated outstanding duty performance, and his risk for recurrence of disabling symptoms was low.  In addition to the aforementioned factors, I believe it would be an injustice to apply the label of a personality disorder to an individual to whom it does not apply because the current Air Force Instruction does not allow for any other code to be assigned.
In view of the above, it is my decision that the applicant’s narrative reason for discharge be changed to “Secretarial Authority.”  Such action will afford him proper and fitting relief.

AFBCMR BC-2002-03749

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 , be corrected to show that on 27 Aug 02, he was discharged under the provisions of AFI 36-3208 (Secretarial Authority), with a separation code of "KFF."