RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER:  BC-2003-03083
INDEX CODE:  100.03, 100.06, 
             110.02
		COUNSEL:  NONE

		HEARING DESIRED:  NO

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APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

1.  His uncharacterized entry-level separation be upgraded to honorable. 

2.  His reenlistment eligibility (RE) code be changed to a code that would allow him to reenlist in the military.

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APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

An anxiety attack he suffered during basic training led to his discharge from the Air Force.  He has since received an independent psychological evaluation stating he is able to perform military duties.  

In support of his request applicant provided a psychological report.  His complete submission is at Exhibit A.

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STATEMENT OF FACTS:

Applicant enlisted in the Regular Air Force on 2 Feb 00.  On 16 Feb 00, he was notified by his commander that she was recommending that he be discharged from the Air Force in accordance with AFPD 36-32 and AFI 36-3208, paragraph 5.11.1.  The specific reason for this action was he was diagnosed as having a mental disorder as contained in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.  He was advised of his rights in this matter and acknowledged receipt of the notification on that same date.  He waived his right to consult counsel and elected not to submit statements on his own behalf.  The discharge authority concurred with the recommendation and directed that he be discharged with service characterized as uncharacterized.  Applicant was discharged from the Air Force on 22 Feb 00.  He served 22 days on active duty.  

The applicant's DD Form 214 has been corrected to reflect his narrative reason for separation as "Secretarial Authority."

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AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

The BCMR Medical Consultant recommends correction of his narrative reason for separation, but that no change to his RE code is warranted.  The Medical Consultant states he developed adjustment disorder with anxious mood during his second week of basic training that required psychiatric hospitalization.  His condition was determined unsuiting for continued military service and he was discharged.  The fact that he is functioning well at this time at home confirms his diagnosis; however, it does not predict he will respond well to the stresses of military operations, deployment, or combat when he is separated from unfamiliar surroundings and usual support system.  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.  The Medical Consultant evaluation is at Exhibit C.

AFPC/DPPRS recommends denial.  DPPRS states the discharge was consistent with the procedural and substantive requirements of the discharge regulation and was within the discretion of the discharge authority.  Airmen are given entry-level characterization when separation is initiated in the first 180 days of continuous active service, it would be unfair to the member and the service to characterize his limited service.  The DPPRS 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 Mar 04 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 not timely filed; however, it is in the interest of justice to excuse the failure to timely file.

3.  Insufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the existence of error or injustice that would warrant a change to his RE code or upgrade of his discharge to honorable.  After a thorough review of the evidence of record, we are not persuaded that the RE code should be changed in a manner which would allow him to reenlist.  With respect to his uncharacterized separation, we note that the 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 or primary responsibility, an entry-level separation with uncharacterized service is used in those cases where the member has not 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 negative comment on 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 appropriate extenuating factors exist.  However, after a thorough review of the evidence of record, we see no evidence of any such extenuating factors in this case.  Therefore, in the absence of persuasive evidence indicating that the applicant was deprived of rights to which he was entitled or that inappropriate standards were applied in his case, we do not find a sufficient 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 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 AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2003-03083 in Executive Session on 6 May 2004, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:

The following documentary evidence was considered:

    Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 21 Aug 03, w/atchs.
    Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
    Exhibit C.  Letter, BCMR Medical Consultant, dated 18 Feb 04.
    Exhibit D.  Letter, AFPC/DPPRS, dated 17 Mar 04.
    Exhibit E.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 26 Mar 04.