RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
         AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER:  BC-2007-01973
		INDEX CODE:  110.02

		COUNSEL:  NONE

		HEARING DESIRED: NO

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APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

His separation program designator (SPD) code of JFX, Personality Disorder, and his reenlistment eligibility (RE) code of 2C, Involuntary separation with honorable discharge, be changed to codes that would allow him to reenlist.

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APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

While serving on active duty, he was going through some temporary family issues that he was unable to attend to.  Though he went through proper channels in an attempt to get home, he was ultimately unsuccessful.  As a result, he began to experience mental problems that led to him seeing a mental health professional.  Over time, the problems at home were not resolved and he finally agreed to a discharge.  He returned home, took care of the issues and never met with a mental health professional again.  To this day, he has remained both physically and mentally fit and he would like the opportunity to serve again in the military.  The discharge codes he received were overly harsh as he did experience mental problems at one point.  However, he also pled mental problems as his only option to returning home.  He has the support of his wife and kids in his endeavor to return to some type of military service and hopes he we will be able to serve once again.

In support of his appeal, the applicant has provided a personal statement, and copies of his DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, mental health records, and an AF Form 910, Enlisted Performance Report.

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

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STATEMENT OF FACTS:

Applicant entered the Regular Air Force on 7 February 2001.  He was progressively promoted to the grade of senior airman (SrA) effective and with a date of rank (DOR) of 23 July 2003.  On 27 February 2003, a mental health professional indicated the applicant’s Air Force Specialty of Security Forces was not a good fit for him.  After initial treatment, including medication, he was put on an S4-T (Temporary) medical profile with evaluation scheduled for six months and a medical evaluation board (MEB) in a year should his symptoms not resolve.  The profile prohibited him from being deployed, restricted him from carrying weapons and assigned him to administrative duties.  On 24 July 2003, the same mental health provider noted he had been receiving treatment for 15 months at that point and that he and his staff had determined his prognosis for recovery as poor due to complicating personality factors.  Accordingly, he was assigned a secondary diagnosis of personality disorder not otherwise specified.  In the providers’ clinical opinion, the applicant’s disorder was so severe that it seriously impaired his ability to function effectively within a military environment.  The provider recommended he be separated from the Air Force.  He was honorably discharged effective 19 September 2003 after having served on active duty for 2 years, 7 months, and 13 days.  

Additional pertinent medical facts are contained in the evaluation prepared by the BCMR Medical Consultant at Exhibit D.

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AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

AETC/SGPS recommends denial.  SGPS states that based on the evidence provided by the applicant they have determined that all medical treatment provided and administrative actions taken were proper and in accordance with established policy and in the best interest of the Air Force and the applicant.  However, SGPS caveat’s their recommendation with the statement that should the AFBCR recommend his request be granted, SGPS would concur if the applicant has been off all medication and treatment for a minimum of one year and a complete psychiatric evaluation demonstrates full resolution of his anxiety and depression issues.

SGPS’s complete evaluation is at Exhibit C.

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APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

A copy of Air Force evaluation was forwarded to the applicant on 21 September 2007 for review and comment within 30 days.  As of this date, no response has been received by this office.

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ADDITIIONAL AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

The BCMR Medical Consultant recommends denial.  The Medical Consultant notes that the manifestations (symptoms and behavior) of personality and adjustment disorder wax and wane over time, depending on the nature and degree of stressors present at any given time.  The fact he may be functioning well at this time, at home, is consistent with the diagnosis of adjustment disorder.  However, it is imprudent to predict 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, or is assigned duties that do not suit him.  The preponderance of the evidence of the record shows that the applicant’s discharge was appropriately handled from a medical point of view.  Action and disposition in this case are proper and equitable reflecting compliance with Air Force directives that implement the law.

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APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF THE ADDITIONAL AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

A copy of BCMR Medical Consultant’s evaluation was forwarded to the applicant on 6 November 2007 for review and comment 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 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 error or injustice.  We took notice of the applicant's complete submission in judging the merits of the case; however, we agree with the opinion and recommendation of the Air Force BCMR Medical Consultant and adopt his rationale as the basis for our conclusion that the applicant has not been the victim of an error or injustice.  His discharge appears to be in compliance with the governing AFI and we could find no evidence to indicate that his separation from the Air Force was anything but appropriate.  We find no evidence of error in this case and after thoroughly reviewing the documentation that has been submitted in support of applicant's request we do not believe he has suffered from an injustice.  Therefore, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, 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-2007-01973 in Executive Session on 3 January 2008, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:

The following documentary evidence was considered:

    Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 12 June 2007, w/atchs.
    Exhibit B. Letter, AETC/SGPS, dated 16 August 2007.
    Exhibit C. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 21 September 2007.
    Exhibit D. Letter, BCMR Medical Consultant, dated
               6 November 2007.
    Exhibit E. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 9 November 2007.