RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER:  BC-2002-03944
		INDEX CODE:  112.10
	XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX	COUNSEL:  NONE

	XXXXXXXXXXX	HEARING DESIRED:  NO

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APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

His reentry (RE) code and narrative reason for separation be changed to allow him to reenlist in the military.

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APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

He made a foolish mistake in getting out of the military.  Since his separation, he has “dealt with and conquered his demons.”  He will serve his country well if allowed to return to the military.

In support of his request, the applicant submits a copy of his DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge From Active Duty.  His complete submission, with attachment, is at Exhibit A.

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STATEMENT OF FACTS:

The applicant enlisted in the Regular Air Force on 8 July 1998 at the age of 22 for a period of four years in the grade of airman (E-2).  He was progressively promoted to the grade of airman first class (E-3) effective and with a date of rank of 8 May 1999.  He was trained in the Air Force career field, Medical Service Apprentice, Air Force Specialty Code 4N031.

On 2 June 1999, the applicant presented himself to the mental health clinic for anxiety, depressed mood and thoughts of suicide relating to marital and personal problems.  He was hospitalized 2-8 June 1999 and then transferred to an intensive outpatient program at a local civilian facility.  His mental health evaluation dated 22 June 1999, rendered a diagnosis of Adjustment Disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood that was so severe as to interfere with continued military service and recommended administrative separation for unsuitability.  On 23 July 1999, the applicant received a letter of evaluation from his NCOIC for the period 20 March 1999 through 23 July 1999.  The report indicated the applicant’s personal problems conflicted with his ability to perform patient care duties and he was unable to complete his career development course or upgrade training due to continuation of medical care. 

On 2 August 1999, the commander initiated discharge proceedings against the applicant.  The applicant was advised of his rights, acknowledged receipt, and waived his options to consult counsel or to submit statements.  In a legal review of the discharge case file, the staff judge advocate found it legally sufficient and recommended that the applicant be honorably discharged from the Air Force without offering probation and rehabilitation.  On 6 August 1999, the discharge authority directed that the applicant be discharged from the Air Force under the provisions of AFPD 36-32 and AFI 36-3208, paragraph 5.11.1, Conditions that Interfere with Military Service - Mental Disorders.  The applicant was separated with an honorable discharge on 30 August 1999 by reason of “Personality Disorder” with a Separation Code of JFX and a Reenlistment Eligibility (RE) code of 2C, (involuntary separation with honorable discharge).  The applicant had served 1 year, 1 month, and 23 days on active duty. 

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AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

The BCMR Medical Consultant states that even though the narrative reason for discharge on the applicant’s DD Form 214 is listed as personality disorder, the applicant was not diagnosed with a personality disorder.  Department of Defense uses the term “personality order” administratively to include all unsuiting character and behavior disorders including Adjustment Disorder, Personality Disorders, and Impulse Control Disorders.  This term is confusing because the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders uses the term “personality disorder” in a specific, defined manner to classify specific disorders of personality that do not include Adjustment Disorder or Impulse Control Disorder.  Prior regulations used the more inclusive and less confusing “character and behavior disorder.”  Since the applicant was not diagnosed with a personality disorder and was further not noted to demonstrate maladaptive traits suggestive of a personality disorder, it is the Medical Consultant’s opinion that it is inaccurate to list the narrative reason as personality disorder, even though administratively it is correct.  Action and disposition in this case are proper and equitable reflecting compliance with Air Force directives that implement the law.

The BCMR Medical Consultant states that stressful life circumstances such as marital discord, divorce, illness, or death of a parent, are commonly experienced by members of the military, the majority of whom continue to function effectively in their jobs in spite of their sad feelings.  When an individual responds to a common life stressor to the degree of becoming dysfunctional, their ability to cope with the stresses of military service, operational environments, and combat is called into question.  The fact that the applicant is functioning well at this time at home confirms his diagnosis of Adjustment Disorder; however, it does not predict that he will respond well to the stresses of military operations, deployment, or combat when he is separated from his familiar surroundings and usual support system of family and friends.  His past experience is predictive of an increased risk for recurrence of debilitating anxiety and Adjustment Disorder if re-exposed to the rigors of military training and service or personal problems.

The BCMR Medical Consultant is of the opinion that the narrative reason for discharged should be changed to Secretarial Authority, but feels no change in the RE Code is warranted.  Details of his evaluation are at Exhibit C.

AFPC/DPPRS states the discharge was consistent with the procedural and substantive requirements of the discharge regulation.  DPPRS concurs with the BCMR Medical Consultant that the adjustment disorder was incorrectly labeled and recommends the applicant’s separation code be changed to “KFF” Secretarial Authority.  The DPPRS evaluation is at Exhibit D.

AFPC/DPPAE states the RE code of 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:

The applicant indicates he has learned from his mistakes and has grown stronger from his trials.  He feels the chances of him relapsing are less likely to happen now than before.  He was sexually abused as a child but he has dealt with his past.  Since his discharge, he lives away from his immediate family and has had employment working in pediatrics, geriatrics, urgent care, float nurse, and currently works for a family practice facility.  He has included a supporting statement from the doctor for whom he works.  The applicant’s rebuttal 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 timely filed.

3.  Sufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the existence of probable error or injustice warranting a change in the reason for separation.  After reviewing the evidence of record, the Board majority was persuaded that some relief is warranted.  We note that the discharge action taken against the applicant was in accordance with the applicable instruction.  However, after reviewing the applicant’s request and the evidence of record, the Board majority finds the narrative reason for his entry-level separation, “Personality Disorder,” to be inappropriate.  The Board majority believes that since the applicant was never diagnosed with a personality disorder, it is inaccurate to list the narrative reason for separation as such.  We note that the BCMR Medical Consultant has indicated that current Air Force Instructions regulating separations for mental health do not allow for variations thereof, occasionally resulting in improper labeling of the reason for separation.  The Board majority believes this has happened in this case.  Therefore, the Board majority recommends that the narrative reason for his separation be changed to reflect “Secretarial Authority.”  The applicant states he has “conquered his demons” since his discharge; however, he did not provide documentary evidence showing that he would not again experience symptoms of adjustment disorder in the highly-structured and regimented military environment that he previously suffered while on active duty.  The RE Code assigned at the time of the applicant’s separation accurately reflects the circumstances of his separation and we do not find this code to be in error or unjust.  Accordingly, his request to change his RE Code is not favorably considered.

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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 the narrative reason for separation, issued in conjunction with his honorable discharge on 30 August 1999, was “Secretarial Authority” and the separation program designator (SPD) code was “KFF.” 

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The following members of the Board considered this application in Executive Session on 25 June 2003, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:

Mr. XXXXX and Mr. XXXXX voted to correct the records as recommended.  Mr. XXXXX voted to deny the applicant’s request and elected not to submit a minority report.  The following documentary evidence was considered in connection with AFBCMR Docket No. BC-2002-03944:

	Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 3 Dec 02, with attachment.
	Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
	Exhibit C.  Letter, BCMR Medical Consultant, dtd 7 Mar 03. 
	Exhibit D.  Letter, AFPC/DPPRS, dated 21 Mar 03. 
	Exhibit E.  Letter, AFPC/DPPAE, dated 6 May 03. 
	Exhibit F.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 16 May 03. 
	Exhibit G.  Applicant’s rebuttal, dated 3 Jun 03. 

										

AFBCMR BC-2002-03944

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 XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX, be corrected to show that the narrative reason for separation, issued in conjunction with his honorable discharge on 30 August 1999, was “Secretarial Authority” and the separation program designator (SPD) code was “KFF.”