RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2002-03756

	 	COUNSEL:  NONE

	 	HEARING DESIRED:  NO

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APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

Her Reenlistment Eligibility (RE) code of 2C be changed to 3K, and the narrative reason for separation be changed from “Personality Disorder” to “Secretarial Authority.”

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THE APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

She joined the Air Force for the wrong reasons and was not ready for the responsibility of what lied ahead; however, she is now able to accept the challenges of military service.

The applicant states that she was young and immature when she entered the Air Force with her husband.  This was the first time she was away from both her home and husband, and she was not prepared for the changes that occurred.  She has been attending school and taking full responsibility for the maintenance of the house while her husband was deployed.  The culmination of these events have enabled her to become self-sufficient and given her the ability to deal with a variety of situations.

In support of the appeal, the applicant submits her personal statement, a statement from a civilian physician, and extracts from her personnel records.

Applicant’s complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A.

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STATEMENT OF FACTS:

On 29 March 2000, the applicant enlisted in the Regular Air Force for a period of six years.

She was seen at the Behavioral Analysis Service on 10 and 12 April 2000, due to being overwhelmed with anxiety.  She was diagnosed with an adjustment disorder, with anxious mood, relating to maladjustment to military service, and her administrative separation was recommended.

On 20 April 2000, the commander notified her that administrative discharge action was being initiated against her for conditions that interfere with military service, specifically, a mental disorder.  She acknowledged receipt and waived her right to counsel and to submit statements in her behalf.  

The discharge authority approved the discharge on 25 April 2000.

On 26 April 2000, she received an uncharacterized entry-level separation under the provisions of AFI 36-3208 (Personality Disorder), and was issued RE code 2C (Involuntarily separated with an entry level separation without characterization of service).  She completed 28 days of active service, with 1 month and 19 days of prior inactive service.

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AIR FORCE EVALUATIONS:

The BCMR Medical Consultant recommends the narrative reason for the applicant’s separation be changed to “Secretarial Authority” and recommends denial of her request to change her RE code.  The BCMR Medical Consultant states, in part, that the applicant developed debilitating anxiety while in Basic Military Training (BMT) and was diagnosed with an adjustment disorder with anxious mood.  Since she was not diagnosed with a personality disorder, it is inaccurate to list the narrative reason as personality disorder, even though administratively correct.  Although the action and disposition in this case are proper and equitable reflecting compliance with Air Force directives that implement the law, a change to the narrative reason for discharge to “Secretarial Authority” is recommended; however, the RE code should not be changed.

The BCMR Medical Consultant’s evaluation is at Exhibit C.

AFPC/DPPRS concurs with the BCMR Medical Consultant’s recommendation that the separation code and narrative reason for the applicant’s separation be changed to “KFF” and “Secretarial Authority,” respectively.  AFPC/DPPRS states, in part, that based on the documentation in the file, the discharge was consistent with the procedural and substantive requirements of the discharge regulation.  Additionally, the discharge 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 continuous active service.  Therefore, her characterization of service is correct.

The AFPC/DPPRS evaluation is at Exhibit D.

AFPC/DPPAE states, in part, that the applicant served 28 days of active service and was correctly issued RE code 2C, “Involuntarily separated with an honorable discharge; or entry level separation without characterization of service.”

The AFPC/DPPAE evaluation is at Exhibit E.

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APPLICANT’S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATIONS:

Complete copies of the Air Force evaluations were forwarded to the applicant on 25 April 2003 for review and response within 30 days.  However, 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 timely filed.

3.  Sufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the existence of probable error or injustice to warrant changing the narrative reason for the applicant’s separation.  In this respect, we note that the current AFI regulating separations for mental health problems does not allow coding for other than “Personality Disorder,” an entirely different DSM-IV code sequence from that with which the applicant was diagnosed.  As such, we believe it is not proper to apply an erroneous label to an individual because of a recognized administrative shortfall.  In order to correct the injustice of improperly labeling the applicant’s disorder, the Medical Consultant recommends that her reason for discharge be changed to “Secretarial Authority” and the Separation Program Designator (SPD) code changed to “KFF.”  We agree.  Therefore, we recommend her 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 her assigned RE code is in error or contrary to the prevailing instruction.  It is clear that the decision to separate the applicant was proper based on her situation at the time.  The RE code which was issued at the time of the applicant’s discharge accurately reflects the circumstances of her separation, i.e., involuntarily separated with an entry-level separation without characterization of service.  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 her 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 that on 26 April 2000, she received an uncharacterized entry level separation under the provisions of AFI 36-3208, paragraph 1.2 (Secretarial Authority), with a Separation Program Designator (SPD) code of “KFF.”

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The following members of the Board considered Docket Number BC-2002-03756 in Executive Session on 5 June 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 18 Nov 02, w/atchs.
    Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
    Exhibit C.  Letter, BCMR Medical Consultant, dated 13 Feb 03.
    Exhibit D.  Letter, AFPC/DPPRS, dated 6 Mar 03.
    Exhibit E.  Letter, AFPC/DPPAE, dated 15 Apr 03.
    Exhibit F.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 25 Apr 03.

AFBCMR BC-2002-03756

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 26 April 2000, she received an uncharacterized entry level separation under the provisions of AFI 36-3208, paragraph 1.2 (Secretarial Authority), with a Separation Program Designator (SPD) code of “KFF.”