RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER:  BC-2004-02635
		INDEX CODE:  112.00
XXXXXXX
		COUNSEL:  NONE
XXXXXXX
		HEARING DESIRED:  NO

MANDATORY COMPLETE DATE: 27 FEBRUARY 2006

_________________________________________________________________

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

His Reenlistment Eligibility (RE) code be changed to one that will allow him to reenlist into the U.S. Armed Services.

_________________________________________________________________

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

He left the Air Force because he thought it would make his mother happy if he returned home but he realized the Air Force was something he really wanted to pursue. His mother was very angry to see him come home without his blue uniform or stripes. He felt he had disgraced his country and his superiors while he was in the Air Force wasting time and taxpayers’ money. However, when he returns this time, he is going to finish whatever he has started. He is not going to try to make up excuses or lies of any kind to try to get out because he realize that he has only cheated himself when he gave up his position as an aerospace propulsion apprentice in the Air Force. 

He really wants to get his RE code changed because he wants to be in the Air Force. 

In support of his application, applicant provided a copy of DD Form 293, Application for the Review of Discharge or Dismissal from the Armed Forces of the United States, a personal letter and a letter from SAF/MRBR. 

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

_________________________________________________________________

STATEMENT OF FACTS:

On 2 March 2004, the applicant enlisted in the Regular Air Force in the grade of airman basic for a period of six years.

On 12 March 2004, the applicant was presented to the mental health clinic wanting to go home. Mental health evaluation concluded with the diagnosis of Adjustment Disorder with Depressed mood with diagnosis on Axis II deferred. On 18 March 2004, the mental health noted that the applicant lacked the maturity and coping skills necessary to complete basic training and recommended administrative entry level separation. 

On 23 March 2004, the applicant’s commander notified him that he was recommending discharge from the Air for a condition that interferes with military service, mental disorders. The commander recommended the applicant receive an entry level separation based on the fact the Department of Mental Health, Wilford Hall Medical Center diagnosed applicant with Adjustment Disorder with Depressed Mood and ruled out depressive disorder. The commander also advised applicant that the entry-level separation may make him ineligible for reenlistment in the Air Force. 

The applicant acknowledged receipt of the notification of discharge, waived his rights to consult with counsel, and did not submit a statement in his own behalf. The base legal office reviewed the case and found it legally sufficient to support separation and recommended applicant be separated from the service with an entry-level separation. The discharge authority approved the separation and directed the applicant be separated with an uncharacterized entry-level separation. 

On 30 September 2004, AFPC/DPPRSP changed the applicant’s DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, narrative reason from personality disorder to Secretarial Authority since mental health evaluation did not render a personality disorder diagnosis. The reenlistment code has remained unchanged and consistent with his discharge for unsuitability for military service. 

On 2 April 2004, the applicant was separated from the Air Force under the provisions of AFI 36-3208, Administrative Separation of Airmen (Secretarial Authority), with an uncharacterized entry-level separation and a reentry code of “2C”. He served 1 month and 1 day of total active military service. 

_________________________________________________________________

AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

AFPC/DPPRS recommended denial and stated that based on the documentation on file in the master personnel records, the discharge was consistent with the procedural and substantive requirements of the discharge regulation.  The discharge was within the discretion of the discharge authority.  Applicant did not submit any evidence or identify any errors or injustices that occurred in the discharge processing.  He provided no facts warranting a change to his character of service or his reenlistment eligibility code.  

Airmen are given entry-level separation/uncharacterized service characterization when separation is initiated in the first 180 days continuous active service.  The Department of Defense (DoD) determined if a member served less than 180 days continuous active service, it would be unfair to the member and the service to characterize their limited service.  Therefore, his uncharacterized character of service is correct and in accordance with DoD and Air Force instructions.

AFPC/DPPRS’s complete evaluation is at Exhibit C.

The BCMR Medical Consultant is of the opinion that no change in the records is warranted.  The fact he is functioning well at this time at home confirms his diagnosis of adjustment disorder however, it does not predict he will respond well to the stresses of military operations, deployments, or combat when he is separated from his family surroundings and usual support system of family and friends. His past experience of inability to cope with basic training is predictive of recurrence of debilitating adjustment disorder if re-exposed to the rigors of military training and service and the reenlistment code should not be changed. Action and disposition in this case are proper and equitable reflecting compliance with Air Force directives that implement the law. 

BCMR Medical Consultant’s complete evaluation is at Exhibit D.

_________________________________________________________________

APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

Copies of the Air Force evaluations were forwarded to the applicant on 5 October 2004 and 3 August 2005, for review and response 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 timely filed.

3.  Insufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the existence of an error or injustice warranting a change to his RE code.  After a thorough review of the evidence of record and the applicant’s submission, it is our opinion that given the circumstances surrounding his separation from the Air Force, the narrative reason for separation and separation codes assigned were proper and in compliance with the appropriate directives.  The applicant has not provided any evidence which would lead us to believe otherwise.  Therefore, we agree with the Air Force offices of primary responsibility and adopt their rational as the basis for our conclusion that the applicant has not been the victim of an error or injustice. In the absence of persuasive evidence to the contrary, we find no compelling basis to recommend granting the relief sought.
_________________________________________________________________

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.

_________________________________________________________________

The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2004-02635 in Executive Session on 15 September 2005, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:

The following documentary evidence was considered:

    Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 30 Aug 04, w/atchs. 
    Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
	Exhibit C.  Letter, AFPC/DPPRS, dated 5 Oct 04.
    Exhibit C.  Letter, BCMR Medical Consultant, dated 1 Aug 05.
    Exhibit D.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 8 Oct 04 and 3 Aug 05.