RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
         AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER:  BC-2004-00124
		INDEX CODE:  110.00

	XXXXXXX	COUNSEL:  NONE

	XXXXXXX	HEARING DESIRED: NO

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APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

Her separation code of JFX, reenlistment eligibility (RE) code of 2C, and narrative reason for separation of Personality Disorder be changed.

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APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

Her discharge was improper and was based on three incidents that were occurring at the same time.  She became pregnant and her husband, also a security forces member, had severe medical problems, then her baby was born.  She requested some help from her unit to work in the back office, however, it never happened.  She wasn’t able to handle everything by herself, so she decided to get out.  A decision that has haunted her ever since.  Her physician at the time of discharge now states that she is completely better and supports her decision to return to the Air Force as long as she is not returned to her previous Air Force Specialty Code (AFSC) of security forces.

In support of her appeal, applicant provided a personal statement; a letter of support from her staff psychologist; several character statements from former co-workers and associates, and a copy of DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, dated 6 Jun 03.

Applicant’s complete submission is at Exhibit A.

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STATEMENT OF FACTS:

Applicant enlisted in the Regular Air Force on 12 Apr 01.  She received one performance report with an overall evaluation of 4.

Applicant was seen periodically by the Maxwell AFB Mental Health Unit from 1 Aug 02.  She received consistent outpatient therapy from 20 Feb 03.  On 17 Apr 03, she was evaluated by two mental health providers.  They diagnosed the applicant as having an Adjustment Disorder with Mixed Anxiety and Depressed Mood, and Personality Disorder, Borderline and Dependent Traits, as described in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV).  The prognosis rendered reflects that she was not judged an imminent danger to herself or others.  Given her low motivation to remain in the Air Force and unresponsiveness to treatment, it was unlikely that continued intervention would result in substantial change to her maladaptive emotional patterns.  Her reactions to stressful circumstances appeared to increase in nature over time and were expected to create more distress with progression in the Air Force.  They recommended an expeditious administrative separation.  She did not have a severe mental disorder and did not require a medical evaluation board.  However, she possessed maladaptive emotional patterns of such severity as to prevent adequate military service.  Her inability to regulate her emotions significantly impaired her ability to function effectively in the Air Force.

On 12 May 03, the squadron commander initiated administrative discharge action against the applicant for Mental Disorders.  The specific reason for the proposed action was the diagnosis cited above.  It was determined that this disorder significantly impaired her ability to function effectively in the military.  The applicant was advised of her right to counsel and to submit statements on her own behalf.  On 15 May 03, after consulting with counsel, she waived her right to submit statements in her own behalf.  On 21 May 03, the Chief, Adverse Action, found the case to be legally sufficient to support discharge without probation and rehabilitation (P&R).  On 4 Jun 03, the discharge authority directed applicant be discharged and concurred with the recommendation for an honorable discharge, without P&R.

On 6 Jun 03, the applicant was discharged under the provisions of AFI 36-3208, by reason of personality disorder, and was issued an RE code of 2C (involuntarily separated with an honorable discharge), with a separation code of JFX.  She was credited with 2 years, 1 month, and 25 days of active duty service.

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AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

The AFBCMR Medical Consultant states that the applicant was discharged for unsuitability, due to Adjustment Disorder and maladaptive personality traits, on 6 Jun 03, after 2 years and 1 month, and 25 days on active duty and now requests her records be changed to show a different reason for discharge that would permit her to reenlist.

Applicant developed symptoms of depressed mood, anxiety, panic attacks and symptoms suggestive of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder stemming from a pre-service traumatic event.  She was diagnosed with Adjustment Disorder with Mixed Anxiety and Depressed Mood and the presence of borderline and dependent personality traits.  Due to worsening symptoms despite treatment, and psychological testing that indicated poor coping skills when under stress, her mental healthproviders recommended administrative discharge for unsuitability.  

Adjustment disorder is characterized by marked psychological distress in response to identifiable stressors that overcome the individual’s ability to cope and is frequently associated with significant impairment in social and occupational functioning.  The emotional and behavioral responses may be in excess of what would normally be expected given the nature of the stressors.  Manifestations can include depressed mood, anxiety, and disturbances of conduct.  One of the key features of Adjustment Disorder is that the condition resolves with relief of the stressors.  Individuals who develop Adjustment Disorder due to the stress of routine rigors of military service with or without concomitant personal issues are not suited for military service and are subject to administrative discharge by their commander.  Although the applicant experienced a number of stressors including work, pregnancy, marriage, parenthood, illness of her husband, her mental health providers concluded that her Adjustment Disorder was not a normal response and reflected a pattern of coping and psychological symptoms that rendered her unsuitable for continued military service.

A normal mental health exam at this time does not change the history of inability to cope with the combined stresses of routine military service and personal life stressors.  The fact that the applicant is functioning well at this time at home confirms the diagnosis of Adjustment Disorder, however, it does not predict that she will respond well to the stresses of military operations, deployment, or combat when she is separated from her familiar surroundings and usual support system of family and friends.  Her past experience is predictive of an increased risk for recurrence of debilitating symptoms of Adjustment Disorder if re-exposed to the rigors of military training and service.  Action and disposition in this case are proper and equitable reflecting compliance with Air Force directives that implement the law.  It is his opinion that no change in the records is warranted.

A complete copy of the 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 on 19 Nov 04 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 timely filed.

3.  Insufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the existence of error or injustice.  We took notice of the applicant's complete submission in judging the merits of the case.  The applicant requests her reason for separation of “personality disorder” be changed.  However, we found no evidence which would lead us to believe that the applicant's separation or reason for separation were in error or contrary to the governing Air Force instructions, which implement the law.  Additionally, at the time members are separated from the Air Force, they are furnished an RE code predicated upon the quality of their service and circumstances of their separation.  Applicant’s RE code of 2C accurately reflects that she was involuntarily separated with an honorable characterization of service.  The applicant’s case has undergone an exhaustive review by the BCMR Medical Consultant and there is nothing in the evidence provided by the applicant that would overcome his assessment of the case.  After a thorough review of the evidence of record, including the letters of character reference submitted in the applicant’s behalf, we believe that given the circumstances surrounding the applicant’s separation, the RE code issued was in accordance with the governing directives.  Therefore, in the absence of persuasive 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 AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2004-00124 in Executive Session on 19 January 2005, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:

The following documentary evidence was considered:

    Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 6 Jun 03, w/atchs. 
    Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
    Exhibit C.  Letter, AFBCMR Medical Consultant, dated 10 Nov 04.
    Exhibit D.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 19 Nov 04.

                                                                      Panel Chair