RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
         AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER:  BC-2003-00455

		COUNSEL:  No

		HEARING DESIRED:  No

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APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

His reenlistment eligibility (RE) code of “2C” and narrative reason be changed so that he may pursue a career in the military.

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APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

When he signed up for the Air Force, his recruiter said that after Basic Training, he would have a job at Vandenburg California with NASA.  While going through basic, he was sent to the Medical Department for a flight physical.  He learned later that while going through his flight physical, he was not given a chest x-ray, which was needed so he could receive clearance.  Toward the end of basic training, he received orders.  He received orders to Kessler Air Force Base for AC&W radar school.  After a couple of months at Kessler, he was not gasping electronics.  He had good and bad days, but he had trouble absorbing the information.  Sometime in May, he went to speak to the officer in charge of training.  He talked for a while; he informed him that he thought he was going to work for NASA upon signing up.  He was told that he could be reclassified, but could not be guarantee what he would be doing.  He was also given the choice to take a separation under 180 days, which would allow him to go back to college and reenlist at a later date.

Now it is almost 10 years later and he is trying to reenlist in the Reserve as an Aircraft Mechanic.  He has been working with American Airlines for 6 six years as a mechanic and would like the opportunity to serve his country with the skills he had.  

In support of his appeal, he submits a copy of DD Form 293, Applicant for the Review of Discharge or Dismissal From the Armed Forces of the United States, a personal statement, and DD Form 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 11 February 1994 for a period of 4 years.  He was separated from the Air Force on 9 June 1994 under the provisions of AFR 39-10 (Entry-Level Performance and Conduct) and received an uncharacterized entry-level separation.  He served 3 months and 29 days total active service.  

On 2 June 1994, the commander notified the member that he was recommending an entry-level discharge because he failed to make passing scores on Blocks I and III of his technical training.  He scored 52% and 48% respectively, passing is 70%.  He was counseled and given extra help; however, he did not improve his scores.  On 23 May 1994, he was eliminated from training for academic deficiency. Applicant waived his right to submit statements or consult with counsel.  The Discharge Authority approved the separation on 8 June 1994 and ordered an uncharacterized, entry-level discharge.

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AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

AFPC/DPPRS recommended denial and stated that based on the documentation in the file, we believe the discharge was consistent with the procedural and substantive requirements of the discharge regulation.  Additionally, the discharge was within 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 Defense (DOD) determined if a member served less than 180 days continuous service, it would be unfair to the member and the service to characterize their limited service.  Therefore, his uncharacterized character of service is correct and in accordance with Department of Defense and Air Force instructions.  An entry-level/uncharacterized separation should not be viewed as negative and should not be confused with other types of separation.

AFPC/DPPRS complete evaluation is at Exhibit C.

AFPC/DPPAE stated that the applicant separated on 9 June 1994, after serving 3 months and 29 days active service.  The RE code of 2C, "Involuntarily separated with an honorable discharge; or entry level separation without characterization of service" is correct. 

AFPC/DPPAE complete evaluation is at Exhibit D.

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APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

Complete copies of the Air Force evaluations were forwarded to the applicant on 18 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, it is in the interest of justice to excuse that failure to timely file.

3.	Sufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the existence of an error or injustice.  While the RE code assigned to the applicant, at the time was technically correct and in accordance with the applicable instructions, we believe it would be an injustice for him to continue to suffer its effects in the way of enlistment opportunities in the armed forces.  It appears that his ability to progress in his AC&W radar training was affected in part by an academic deficiency which we note no longer exists.  We note also that he wishes to pursue a career in the military using his 10 years of experience in aircraft mechanic skills and, in view of the totality of the circumstances present in this case, we believe that he should be given the opportunity to apply for enlistment.  Whether or not he is successful will depend on the needs of the service and our recommendation in no way guarantees that he will be allowed to return to any branch of the service.  Therefore, the reason for his separation should be changed to Secretarial Authority and his RE code of 2C should be changed to 3K, a code that can be waived for prior service enlistment consideration.

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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 9 June 1994, he was separated under the provisions of AFR 39-10 (Secretarial Authority) with a separation code of KFF and a reenlistment eligibility (RE) code of 3K.

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The following members of the Board considered Docket Number BC-2003-00455 in Executive Session on 3 June 2003, under the provisions of AFI 36‑2603:

Panel Chair
Member
Member

All members voted to correct the records, as recommended.  The following documentary evidence was considered:

     Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 19 Feb 03, w/atchs.
     Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
     Exhibit C.  Letter, AFPC/DPPRS, dated 6 Mar 03.
     Exhibit E.  Letter, AFPC/DPPAE, dated 11 Apr 03.
     Exhibit F.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 18 Apr 03.

                                  
                                  Panel Chair

AFBCMR BC-2003-00455

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 be corrected to show that on 9 June 1994, he was separated under the provisions of AFR 39-10, (Secretarial Authority) with a separation code of KFF and a reenlistment eligibility (RE) code of 3K.

                                                                            
                                                                            Director
                                                                            Air Force Review Boards Agency