RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
         AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER:  BC-2004-00148
		INDEX CODE:  110.02

		COUNSEL:  NONE

		HEARING DESIRED: YES

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APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

Her reenlistment eligibility (RE) code be upgraded to one that would enable her to reenlist.

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APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

She did a lot of unacceptable things while in the service but they were all done after she had been told she was being sent home due to her fear of heights.  She was in the process of being reclassed into a new Air Force Specialty (AFS) that would require her to climb a water tower.  She states there is no excuse however, for her behavior and takes full responsibility for her actions.  She was 20 years old at the time. She is now a mature 23-year-old and a lot of things have changed since her discharge.  She has a great job, owns her own home, and goes to school part time.  The problems she caused while in the service were those of an average 20-year-old.  She would greatly appreciate the opportunity to explain her case in more detail to the Board.

In support of her appeal, the applicant has provided a personal statement, copies of a letter of appreciation, her certificates of completion of training of Basic Military Training (BMT) and the Airman Leadership Program.

Applicant’s complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A.

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STATEMENT OF FACTS:

Applicant entered active duty on 7 June 2000.  She completed BMT and was promoted to Airman First Class (A1C/E-3) on 8 December 2000.  On 8 January 2001, she received a letter of reprimand (LOR) for wrongfully consuming alcoholic beverages while under the legal drinking age of 21.  On 1 February 2001, she received an Article 15 for wrongfully entering a local area hotel, for wrongfully consuming alcoholic beverages while under the legal drinking age of 21 and for wrongfully failing to return to and remain in her assigned dormitory room.  On 9 February 2001, she received an LOR for wrongfully entering a local area hotel.  

Her commander notified her on 2 March 2001 that he was recommending her for a general (Under Honorable Conditions) discharge.  The base legal office found the discharge legally sufficient.  Probation and rehabilitation were considered but not recommended.  She acknowledged receipt of the discharge action on 2 March 2001 and waived her right to consult counsel and submit statements.  She was discharged on 12 March 2001 with a general discharge and an RE code of “2B”, after serving for nine months and six days of active military service.  

She applied to the Air Force Discharge Review Board (AFDRB) to upgrade her discharge to honorable.  After reviewing the evidence of record, the AFDRB, on 2 November 2003, denied her request for upgrade.

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AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

AFPC/DPPRS recommends denial.  DPPRS states that the discharge was consistent with the procedural and substantive requirements of the discharge regulation and within the discretionary powers of the discharge authority.  No new evidence or any identification of error or injustice has been presented to warrant a change to the discharge.

DPPRS’s complete evaluation is attached at Exhibit C.

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APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

Applicant requests an upgrade of her reentry code because she made some bad choices as an airman in the USAF and would love the opportunity to reenlist.  She takes full responsibility for all the actions she took while serving in the Air Force however she contends she was acting the way any other teenager would under normal circumstances.  A lot has changed in her life since her discharge including: she has grown up quite a bit, she is a full time real estate agent, she owns her own home, goes to school part time, has a new car, and considers herself a responsible adult.  While she admits to the mistakes she made in the service, she feels the discharge has punished her enough.  The Air Force is something she really wants to be a part of.  It does not matter to her whether she is in the Air Force, the Air National Guard or the Reserve, nor what Air Force Specialty (AFS) she gets, as long as she can get the opportunity to serve and protect her country as a mature and responsible adult.

She leaves the decision in the hands of the Board in hopes the Board will understand that she was acting childish but she was not being malicious or trying to break her vows as an airman.

The applicant’s complete response is at Exhibit E.

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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.  Sufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the existence of error or injustice.  While we noted the negative behavior that led to her discharge, we also noted that her service prior to those incidents had been exemplary.  It does not seem to be a coincidence that her negative behavior began after she had been cross-trained into another career field.  That career field required her to climb telephone poles and she had a fear of heights.  Several attempts by the applicant to warn her instructors of her fear of heights appear to have been to no avail.  After her discharge, it appears she has taken full responsibility for her actions and has led a very successful life to this point.  Therefore, we feel she should be given the opportunity to be considered for reenlistment.  Whether or not she is successful will depend on the needs of the service and our recommendation in no way guarantees that she will be allowed to return to any branch of the service.  Accordingly, we recommend her records be corrected to the extent indicated below.

4.  The applicant's case is adequately documented and it has not been shown that a personal appearance with or without counsel will materially add to our understanding of the issue(s) involved.  Therefore, the request for a hearing is not favorably considered.

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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 12 March 2001 she was separated under the provisions of AFI 36-3208, paragraph 1.2 (Secretarial Authority) with a reenlistment eligibility (RE) code of 3K and a separation code of JFF.

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The following members of the Board considered this application in Executive Session on 30 March 2004, under the provisions of AFI 36‑2603:

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

    Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 30 Nov 03, w/atchs. 
    Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
    Exhibit C.  Letter, AFPC/DPPRS, dated 11 Feb 04.
    Exhibit D.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 13 Feb 04.
    Exhibit E.  Letter, Applicant, dated 21 Feb 04.

                                   
                                   Panel Chair

 DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE
WASHINGTON DC

Office Of The Assistant Secretary

BC-2004-00148

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 on 12 March 2001, she was separated under the provisions of AFI 36-3208, paragraph 1.2 (Secretarial Authority) with a reenlistment eligibility (RE) code of 3K and a separation code of JFF.

                                                                            Director
                                                                            Air Force Review Boards Agency