RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER:  BC-2003-03362
		INDEX CODE:  108.00
		COUNSEL:  

		HEARING DESIRED:  Not Indicated

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APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

His entry-level separation be changed to reflect that he was medically separated.

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APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

He believes that entry-level separation is for individuals who have not completed basic training.  He completed training and his discharge occurred while he was in technical school.  The code in the remarks section states that he knew of his asthma.  He has supplied a letter from his mother indicating that he never before had asthma.

In support of his request applicant provided a letter from his mother and his discharge order.  His complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A.

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STATEMENT OF FACTS:

The applicant's military personnel records cannot be located.  Data extracted from the available documentation reflects that he enlisted in the Regular Air Force on 28 May 02 in the grade of airman first class.  While attending Security Forces technical training he was referred to Wilford Hall Medical Center and evaluated for asthma.  He was diagnosed with asthma and discharged due to the medical disqualification.  He was discharged on 2 Oct 02, and provided an uncharacterized entry-level separation for erroneous entry.  He served 4 months and 5 days on active duty.

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AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

The BCMR Medical Consultant recommends denial.  The Medical Consultant states the applicant developed symptoms suggestive of asthma while in basic and technical training and was shown to demonstrate abnormal airways reactivity consistent with chronic airways inflammation (asthma).  This condition is medically disqualifying for military service.  He reported a history of mild symptoms prior to entering training and further reported a family history of asthma and a personal history of allergic rhinitis.  Asthma, including reactive airways disease, exercise induced bronchospasm or asthmatic bronchitis, reliably diagnosed is disqualifying for enlistment.  Although he may not have asthma in the strictest definition, he demonstrated symptoms consistent with abnormal reactive airways that interfered with training.  The Air Force and other services have become very strict with regard to asthma and reactive airways disease based on past experience and the high number of casualties in members deployed to operational and overseas locations.  

Airmen are in entry-level status during the first 180 days on continuous military service and does not attempt to characterize the service as either good or bad.  Erroneous enlistment is one that would not have occurred had the relevant facts been known by the Air Force and was not the result of fraudulent conduct on the part of the member.  The Medical Consultant's evaluation is at Exhibit C.

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APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

A copy of the Air Force evaluation was forwarded to the applicant's counsel on 13 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 timely filed.

3.  Insufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the existence of error or injustice.  We see no evidence which would lead us to believe that a medical condition existed at the time of his separation, which would have qualified him for consideration under the disability evaluation system in accordance with the governing Air Force instruction.  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, a as was noted by the Air Force, 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 initiated, rather than for those not completing basic training as believed to be the case by the applicant.  Therefore, we agree with the opinion and recommendation of the Air Force office of primary responsibility and adopt their rationale as basis for our conclusion that the applicant has not been the victim of an error or injustice.  In the absence of evidence to the contrary, 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 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-2003-03362 in Executive Session on 3 Jun 04, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:

The following documentary evidence was considered:

    Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 1 Oct 03, w/atchs.
    Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
    Exhibit C.  Letter, BCMR Medical Consultant, dated 24 Feb 04.
    Exhibit D.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 13 Mar 04.