RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
         AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER:  BC-2002-04013

		COUNSEL:  NONE

		HEARING DESIRED:  NO

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APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

His uncharacterized discharge be changed to honorable. 

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APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

Most employers do not recognize the meaning of an entry-level separation.  He would like his discharge characterization changed to honorable.

Applicant's complete submission is at Exhibit A.

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STATEMENT OF FACTS:

The applicant enlisted in the Regular Air Force as an airman basic on 18 June 1986 for a period of 4 years.  The applicant was discharged with an entry-level separation with character of service listed as uncharacterized on 17 November 1986 in the grade of airman first class.  He served 4 months of total active military service.

On 6 November 1986, the applicant’s commander notified the member that he was recommending an entry-level separation discharge because he failed to make satisfactory progress in a required training program.  Specifically, he was eliminated from the Aircraft Electrical Systems Specialist Course due to excessive objectives failures.  He failed to make a passing score three times.  Prior to disenrollment, he was counseled concerning his performance and received individual assistance with negative results.  

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AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

AFPC/DPPRS recommends denial.  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 Defense determined if a member served less than 180 days continuous active service, it would be unfair to the member and the service to characterize their limited service.  Therefore, his uncharacterized character is correct and in accordance with Department of Defense and Air Force instructions.  Any entry-level/uncharacterized separation should not be viewed as negative and should not be confused with others types of separation.  He has not filed a timely request.

AFPC/DPPRS complete evaluation is at Exhibit C.

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APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

A complete copy of the Air Force evaluation was forwarded to the applicant on 4 April 2003, for review and comment within 30 days.  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 not timely filed; however, the Board excused the failure to timely file.

3.	Insufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the existence of an error or injustice.  We are not persuaded by the evidence presented that the uncharacterized entry-level separation received by the former member should be changed to an honorable discharge.  We are compelled to note that uncharacterized separation is not an unfavorable reflection upon the applicant's military service nor should it be confused with other types of separation.  Rather, as was noted by the Air Force office of primary responsibility, an entry-level separation with uncharacterized service is used in those cases where the member has not yet completed six months of service at the time separation proceedings were, for whatever reason, initiated.  Hence, an uncharacterized separation merely connotes the brevity of an individual's membership in the service and may not, in and of itself, be viewed as a defamation of character.  In instances where a former member has not completed six months of service, characterization of his or her service as honorable is normally appropriate when extenuating factors exist.  However, after a thorough review of the applicant's submission and the evidence of record, we see no evidence of any extenuating circumstances in this case.  Therefore, in the absence of persuasive evidence indicating that the applicant was deprived of rights to which entitled or that inappropriate standards were applied in his case, we find no compelling basis to recommend granting the relief sought in this application.

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THE BOARD DETERMINES THAT:

The applicant be notified that the evidence presented did not demonstrate the existence of a 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-2002-04013 in Executive Session on 3 June 2003, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:

The following documentary evidence was considered:

	Exhibit A.	DD Form 149, dated 18 Mar 03, w/atchs.
	Exhibit B.	Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
	Exhibit C.	Letter, AFPC/DPPRS, dated 31 Mar 03.
	Exhibit D.	Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 4 Apr 03.