RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
         AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER:  BC-2004-00876

	XXXXXXX        	COUNSEL:  NONE

	XXXXXXX       	HEARING DESIRED:  NO

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APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

His reenlistment eligibility code (RE) of 2C and narrative reason for discharge be changed.
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APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

He enlisted in the United States Air Force in August 2000, and spent a short period of seventeen days in basic training, before being sent home with an entry-level discharge.  He was given a verbal promise that he would be able to reenlist.  The reason for the discharge was because he said everything he could think of to convince everyone that he had to return home.  He had never been away from home before and to make matters even more difficult, his girlfriend at the time said she was pregnant and that she needed him.  He was only eighteen years old at the time and he found himself in a pretty intense predicament.  When he returned home he already knew that he had made a big mistake by leaving. His only two reasons for wanting to come were not even options when he returned.  His girl friend’s pregnancy was with another guy who she ran away with, and since his parents were disappointed in him for leaving, and because he was grown, they forced him to live on his own.  For the last three and a half years, he had struggled to make it on his own, but he managed to live and pay his bills and build a little bit of credit.  He is 22 years old now and he realizes he wanted to make something of his life, something he knew he could be proud of and that people would respect.  The Armed Forces is the perfect fit for him and it always has been, he did not realize it, but he has always been able to excel under discipline.  When he was seventeen, he attended military school for a summer at the New Mexico Military Institute and earned straight A’s.  After weighing his options, he decided that it was once again time to speak with a recruiter.  Things were going well until he saw that on his DD Form 214, he had a reentry code of 2C.  The recruiter told him he was not eligible for enlistment, but that he could get the code changed if he explained his circumstances.  He is willing to do anything it takes to change the code.  He believes he deserves another chance to make something of himself.  He is in excellent physical condition and has scored very well both times that he has taken the ASVAB.  
In support of his request he provided a personal statement.  His complete submission, with attachment, is at Exhibit A.  

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STATEMENT OF FACTS:

The applicant entered active duty on 9 August 2000 and began basic military training.  He was hospitalized at the Inpatient Psychiatry unit after attempting suicide (over dose of medication).  A mental health evaluation dated 17 August 2000 rendered a diagnosis of Adjustment Disorder with Mixed Disturbance of Emotions and Conduct (deferred diagnosis of personality disorder on Axis II of the formal psychiatric diagnosis) and recommended administrative separation for unsuitability. 

On 29 August 2000, the applicant was administratively discharged with an entry level separation under the provisions of AFI 36-3208 unsuitability, Adjustment Disorder, with a RE code of 2C and a narrative reason for separation of Personality Disorder.  He served 3 months and 21 days on active duty.  

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AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

BCMR Medical Consultant recommends denial.  The Medical Consultant states the applicant was administratively discharged for Adjustment Disorder characterized by depressed mood, suicidal ideation, irritability and moodiness, poor concentration and sleep disturbance.  Mental health records indicate he was very dissatisfied with military life and wanted to return to civilian life to get his life back.  He now indicates he was motivated to be with his girlfriend when he learned she was pregnant.  The mental health evaluation concluded he was unsuited for continued military service and recommended administrative discharge. 

Adjustment Disorder with Depressed Mood results from identifiable stressors that overcome the individual’s ability to cope.  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 the 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.

The BCMR Medical Consultant evaluation is at Exhibit C.

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APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

Applicant states he never swallowed any pills or attempted suicide.  He simply said that he was suicidal before they admitted him into the hospital and was made to drink a charcoal drink for no reason because there were never any pills in his system.  He discussed this with a commanding officer while he was still in the hospital and he apologized for misleading everyone, but it was all he could think of.  He made a very regrettable mistake.  When he mentioned this to the commanding officer, he told him that he could go back to week zero or that he could be given an entry-level discharge.  He asked if he got his personal things straightened out if he could reenlist and the commanding officer replied yes, but also warned that he might have to receive a waiver.  He just wanted it to be noted that he has never or will ever be suicidal nor does he suffer from any form of depression.  He is single and he lives on his own in Portland Oregon, away from the support system he had in Albuquerque.  He is 22 years old and has matured.  

His 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.  Insufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the existence of an error or injustice that would warrant corrective action.  Evidence has not been provided in support of his appeal, which would lead us to believe that a change to his reenlistment eligibility or the narrative reason for his discharge is warranted.  We took notice of his complete submission in judging the merits of this case; however, we do not find his assertions sufficiently persuasive to override the rationale provided by the Air Force.  Absent persuasive evidence that the applicant was denied rights to which he was entitled or that the appropriate standards were not applied during his discharge processing, 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-2004-00876 in Executive Session on 13 Oct 04, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:

The following documentary evidence was considered:

    Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 8 Mar 04, w/atch.
    Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
    Exhibit C.  Letter, BCMR Medical Consultant, dated 2 Aug 04.
    Exhibit D.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 4 Aug 04.
    Exhibit E.  Letter, Applicant, dated 20 Aug 04.