RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:				DOCKET NUMBER:  BC-2004-03797
								INDEX CODE:  100.00
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX					COUNSEL:  NONE

XXX-XX-XXXX					HEARING DESIRED:  NO

MANDATORY CASE COMPLETION DATE:  13 June 2006

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APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

The narrative reason for his separation and Reenlistment Eligibility (RE) code be changed.

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APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

The narrative reason for his separation is preventing him from obtaining gainful employment and the RE code issued at the time of his separation is preventing him from enlisting into another branch of service.

In support of the appeal, applicant submits a copy of his DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty.

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

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STATEMENT OF FACTS:

Applicant contracted his initial enlistment in the Regular Air Force on 17 February 1999, for a period of six years.  He was progressively promoted to the grade of senior airman (E-4).  He received a Letter of Reprimand (LOR) on 5 October 1999 for urinating in the dormitory ice machine at Tyndall AFB on 27 September 1999.  He received another LOR on 8 March 2000 for taking the rest of the day off on 7 March 2000 for a dental appointment without his supervisor’s approval; investigation determined he did not have a dental appointment.  On 8 July 2002, he received notification that he was being recommended for discharge for a mental disorder.  The commander’s reason for the action was that on 10 June 2002, the applicant was evaluated in the Life Skills Clinic and diagnosed with an adjustment disorder with mixed depression and anxiety.  The commander also referenced the two LORs applicant received, not as the basis for discharge or for service characterization, but to decide if the applicant should be discharged or receive probation and rehabilitation.  The discharge authority approved the discharge and he received an honorable discharge on 30 July 2002, under the provisions of AFI 36-3208 (Personality Disorder), with Separation Program Designator (SPD) code “JFX” – Personality Disorder, and was issued RE Code 3C (First-term airman not yet considered under the Selective Reenlistment Program (SRP)).  He had completed a total of 3 years, 5 months, and 12 days of active service and was serving in the grade of senior airman (E-4) at the time of discharge.

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AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

The BCMR Medical Consultant recommends changing the narrative reason for the applicant’s separation to “Secretarial Authority,” and changing his Separation Program Designator (SPD) code to “JFV” – Conditions not a Disability.  However, he recommends denial of applicant’s request to change his RE code.  The BCMR Medical Consultant states, in part, that the Department of Defense (DoD) uses the term “personality disorder” administratively on the DD Form 214 to include all unsuiting character and behavior disorders, to include adjustment disorders.  However, the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) uses the term “personality disorder” in a specific manner to classify specific disorders of personality that do not include adjustment disorders.  Although the action and disposition in the applicant’s case were proper, since he was not diagnosed with a personality disorder, it is inaccurate to list it as the narrative reason for his separation, even though administratively it is correct.  The fact that he is currently functioning well at home is consistent with the diagnosis of an adjustment disorder and does not predict that he will respond well to the stresses of military operations, deployment, or combat when he is separated from his familiar surroundings and usual support system of family and friends.  Therefore, it would be inappropriate to change his RE code.

The BCMR Medical Consultant’s evaluation is at Exhibit C.

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APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

A complete copy of the evaluation was forwarded to the applicant on 12 October 2005 for review and response 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.  Sufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the existence of error or injustice to warrant changing the narrative reason for the applicant’s separation, Separation Program Designator (SPD) code, and RE code.  In this respect, it appears the action and disposition in the applicant’s case were proper.  However, since he was never diagnosed with a personality disorder, the BCMR Medical Consultant recommends his narrative reason for discharge be changed.  In view of this, we believe it is not proper to apply an erroneous label to an individual because of a recognized administrative shortfall.  In order to correct the injustice of improperly labeling the applicant’s disorder, the BCMR Medical Consultant recommends that his reason for discharge be changed to “Secretarial Authority,” and his SPD code be changed to “JFV” – Conditions not a Disability.  We agree.  We also note that at the time of his separation, he was erroneously issued RE code 3C (First-term airman not yet considered under the Selective Reenlistment Program (SRP)) and should have been issued RE code 2C (Involuntarily separated with an honorable discharge).  The RE code of 3C is not to be used at time of separation and is to be removed from the Personnel Data System (PDS) when the member is selected or not selected for reenlistment, or becomes ineligible for reenlistment.  Therefore, we recommend his records be corrected to the extent indicated below.

4.  Insufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the existence of error or injustice to warrant upgrading the applicant’s RE code.  In this respect, we note that applicant’s discharge appears to be in compliance with the governing Air Force Instruction in effect at the time of his separation and that he was afforded all the rights to which entitled.  Although the diagnosis of personality disorder may have been questionable, there is no doubt he manifested an adjustment disorder.  While he is functioning well at this time at home, it does not predict that he would respond well to the stresses of military operations, deployment, or combat when separated from his familiar surroundings and usual support system of family and friends.  In view of the foregoing, and in the absence of evidence to the contrary, we find no compelling basis to upgrade his RE code to an eligible code for enlistment.

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THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT:

The pertinent military records of the Department of the Air Force relating to XXXXX be corrected to show that on 30 July 2002, he was discharged under the provisions of AFI 36-3208, paragraph 1-2, (Secretarial Authority), with a Separation Program Designator (SPD) code of “JFV,” and Reenlistment Eligibility code “2C.”

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The following members of the Board considered Docket Number BC-2004-03797 in Executive Session on 7 December 2005, 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 3 Dec 04, w/atchs.
    Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
    Exhibit C.  Memo, BCMR Medical Consultant, dated 12 Oct 05.
    Exhibit D.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 12 Oct 05.

AFBCMR BC-2004-03797

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 XXXXX, XXX-XX-XXXX, be corrected to show that on 30 July 2002, he was discharged under the provisions of AFI 36-3208, paragraph 1-2, (Secretarial Authority), with a Separation Program Designator (SPD) code of “JFV,” and a Reenlistment Eligibility code “2C.”