RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
         AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER:  BC-2002-03793
		INDEX CODE:  100.03
		COUNSEL:  NONE

		HEARING DESIRED:  NO

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APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

His records be corrected to enable him to reenlist into the military.

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APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

He is fully capable of serving in the Air Force.  He was very confused about religion and was asked if he would like to be discharged.  He felt being discharged would be in his best interest.

In support of his request, the applicant submits a personal statement, a copy of DD Form 293, Application for the Review of Discharge or Dismissal from the Armed Forces of the United States and a copy of his DD 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty.

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 as an airman basic on 28 June 2000 for a term of 4 years.  In January 2001, he was seen in the mental health clinic for symptoms of anxiety triggered by his fiancé’s illness and inability to take leave while in training status.  He was referred for a command directed mental health evaluation in February 2001 due to ongoing problems with his girlfriend, blackouts, lack of sleep, mood swings and family problems.  A 22 February 2001, mental health appointment reported that when he was about twelve, he and two friends meditated.  During this time he felt that something or someone became a part of him.  He reports that after he frequently felt a presence.  It was not until high school that his friends began telling him about strange interactions they had with him.  They reported that his eyes would get foggy, his voice would change, and he spoke in Latin and what they believed to be Gaelic.  Sometimes he would become violent and fling his friends away from him.  He reports that he also had a similar experience during technical training and says that at that time he threw one of his friends down a flight of stairs breaking two ribs.  He was diagnosed with Dissociative Disorder, not otherwise specified, possession trance; manifested by a sense of being possesssed, altered state of consciousness during which he has no memory of his speech or actions; severity-moderate; chronicity chronic; date or onset 1994; duration 7 years; external precipitating stress - unknown but presumed to be minimal; premorbid predisposition-severe (previous personal experiences); degree of impairment for military service-severe; degree of impairment of civilian and industrial adaptation - mild; LOD-not applicable; EPTS-yes, not aggravated by service.  He was also diagnosed with concomitant adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood, resolving; and personality disorder, not otherwise specified.  He underwent a medical evaluation board (MEB), and on 7 May 2001, the informal physical evaluation board (PEB) determined that his dissociated disorder was unfitting, existed prior to service without service aggravation and recommended administrative discharge.  The applicant agreed with the Board’s findings and officials within the Office of the Secretary of the Air Force directed he be discharged without benefits under provisions other than Chapter 61, Title 10, USC.  He was administratively separated on 10 September 2001, due to a disability that existed prior to service.  He served 1 year, 2 months and 12 days total active service.

On 3 October 2003, AFPC/DPPAE informed the applicant that his DD 214 was corrected to reflect an RE code of 2Q “Personnel medically retired or discharged”.

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AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

The BCMR Medical Consultant recommends denial. The applicant was diagnosed with a disqualifying psychiatric condition, dissociative disorder existing prior to service, not permanently aggravated by service, and was discharged.  The essential feature of the dissociative disorders is a disruption in the usually integrated functions of consciousness, memory, identity, or perception of the environment.  He was also diagnosed with adjustment disorder and personality disorder, both conditions that are lifelong patters of maladaptive behavior based on the individual’s personality structure which are not medically disqualifying or unfitting but may render the individual unsuitable for further military service and may be cause for administrative action by the individual’s unit commander.  The applicant reports feeling better at the current time, however his past psychiatric history is disqualifying for enlistment or reentry.

The Medical Consultant’s evaluation is at Exhibit C.  

AFPC/DPPD concurs with the BMCR Medical Consultant.  Current military records clearly indicate the applicant was appropriately found unfit for the rigors of military service at the time of his MEB/PEB.  

The DPPD 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 26 Nov 03, for review and comment within 30 days.  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.  Insufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the existence of an error or injustice in regard to his request that his reenlistment eligibility (RE) code be changed.  After reviewing applicant’s contentions, we are not persuaded that he should be made eligible to return to the service.  The comments provided by the BCMR Medical Consultant adequately addresses applicant’s contentions and we are in agreement with his recommendation.  Applicant has not provided any evidence, which would lead the Board to believe otherwise.  Therefore, we find no basis upon which to recommend favorable action on this application.

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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; that the application was denied without a personal appearance; and that the application 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 Docket Number BC-2002-03793 in Executive Session on 3 February 2004, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:

The following documentary evidence was considered:

	Exhibit A.	DD Form 149, dated 17 Dec 02, w/atchs.
	Exhibit B.	Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
	Exhibit C.	Letter, BCMR Medical Consultant, dated 17 Mar 03.
	Exhibit D.	Letter, AFPC/DPPD, dated 3 Jun 03.
	Exhibit E.	Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 26 Nov 03.