RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
         AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER:  BC-2004-00893
		INDEX CODE:  100.03, 100.06

		COUNSEL:  NONE

		HEARING DESIRED: NO

_________________________________________________________________

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

Her discharge characterization be changed to honorable and her reenlistment eligibility (RE) code be changed to one that would allow re-enlistment in the Air Force.

_________________________________________________________________

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

Her twin sister was at fault for the legal issues she faced, which caused her stress and subsequently her failure to pass two examinations in technical school.  She feels if she had been counseled and referred appropriately, she would have been a valuable member of the Air Force.  After her release from active duty, she received a waiver of her RE code and enlisted in the Air National Guard (ANG).  She has been a successful member of the ANG ever since and feels that her successes demonstrate she can successfully perform under extreme pressure/stress, as she could have while on active duty had she received the support needed.

In support of her request, the applicant provided a personal statement, copies of documents pertaining to her active duty and Air National Guard service, and other records pertaining to her college transcript.

Her complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A.

_________________________________________________________________

STATEMENT OF FACTS:

The applicant enlisted in the Regular Air Force on 17 May 1995, in the grade of airman basic.  She was separated from the Air Force on 31 October 1995, with an uncharacterized entry-level separation, and received an RE code of 2C ”Involuntarily separated with an honorable discharge; or entry level separation without characterization of service.”  She served 5 months and 15 days total active service.

She enlisted in the Air National Guard on 25 March 1997, and was progressively promoted to the grade of Staff Sergeant with a date of rank of 1 March 2004.

_________________________________________________________________

AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

AFPC/DPPRS does not provide a recommendation.  Their office is unable to determine the propriety of the discharge based on the lack of documentation in her master personnel records.  The applicant has indicated she has no documentation pertaining to her discharge processing.

Airmen are given entry-level separation/uncharacterized service characterization when separation is initiated in the first 180 days of continuous active service.  The Department of Defense (DoD) determined if a member served less than 180 days of continuous active service, it would be unfair to the member and the service to characterize their limited service.  Therefore, her uncharacterized character of service is correct and in accordance with DoD and Air Force instructions.  Their office defers to the Board to determine if the applicant should be granted relief concerning her reenlistment eligibility code based on limited supporting documentation in her record.

A complete copy of the evaluation is at Exhibit C.

_________________________________________________________________

APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

A copy of the Air Force evaluation was forwarded to the applicant on 21 May 04 for review and comment within 30 days.  As of this date, no response has been received by this office.

_________________________________________________________________

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 an error or injustice in regard to her discharge characterization.  Airmen are given entry-level separation/uncharacterized service characterization when separation is initiated in the first 180 days of continuous active service.  Therefore, we believe the discharge characterization assigned to the applicant was proper and in compliance with the appropriate directives.  

4.  Sufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the existence of an injustice in regard to her RE code.  The RE code of “2C” issued at the time of discharge was based on her entry level separation and appears to be correct.  However, the Board notes the applicant has served honorably in the Air National Guard since 25 March 1997 and her post service accomplishments are extraordinary.  Therefore, we recommend that her records be corrected to the extent indicated below.

_________________________________________________________________

THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT:

The pertinent military records of the Department of the Air Force relating to APPLICANT, be corrected to show that at the time of her discharge on 31 October 1995, she was issued a Reenlistment Eligibility (RE) code of "1J".

_________________________________________________________________

The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2004-00893 in Executive Session on 15 July 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 25 Mar 04. 
    Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
    Exhibit C.  Letter, AFPC/DPPRS, dated 18 May 04.
    Exhibit D.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 21 May 04.

                                   

 
AFBCMR BC-2004-00893

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 at the time of her discharge on 31 October 1995, she was issued a Reenlistment Eligibility (RE) code of “1J”.