RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER:  BC-2007-02450
		INDEX CODE:  110.00

		COUNSEL:  NONE

		HEARING DESIRED:  NO

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APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

Her character of service be changed from uncharacterized to an honorable discharge.

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APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

She entered the military to make it a career.  Unfortunately, she injured her knee and foot in training and was unable to perform her duties.

In support of her request, the applicant provided a copy of her 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 enlisted in the Regular Air Force on 22 July 2003 in the grade of airman basic.  On 10 November 2003, applicant was notified by her commander of her intent to recommend that she be discharged from the Air Force under the provisions of AFPD 36-32 and AFI 36-3208, paragraph 5.14.  The specific reason for this action was the Chronological Record of Medical Care dated 23 October 2003, which indicates she was diagnosed with pes cavus.  It was determined this condition existed prior to service and had not been permanently aggravated by service.  Had this condition been known prior to enlistment, she may not have been allowed entry into the military.  She was advised of her rights in this matter and acknowledged receipt of the notification on that same date.  The applicant waived her right to consult counsel and elected not to submit statements on her own behalf.  In a legal review of the case file, the chief adverse actions found the case legally sufficient and recommended that she be separated.  The discharge authority concurred with the recommendations and directed her discharge with an uncharacterized entry-level separation.  Applicant was discharged on 21 November 2003.  She served 3 months and 30 days on active duty.

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AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

AFPC/DPSOS recommends denial.  DPSOS states 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.  She provided no facts warranting a change to her character of service.

Airman are given entry-level separation/uncharacterized service characterization when separation in 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, her uncharacterized character of service is correct and in accordance with DoD and Air Force instructions.

The DPSOS complete evaluation is at Exhibit C.

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APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

On 2 November 2007, the evaluation was forwarded to the applicant for review and comment within 30 days (Exhibit D).  As of this date, this office has received no response.

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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 an error or injustice.  We are not persuaded by the evidence presented that the uncharacterized entry-level separation received by the former member should be changed to an honorable discharge.  We are compelled to note that an uncharacterized separation is not an unfavorable reflection upon the applicant's military service nor should it be confused with other types of separation.  Rather, an entry-level separation with uncharacterized service is used in those cases where the member has not yet completed six months of service at the time separation proceedings were, for whatever reason, initiated.  Hence, an uncharacterized separation merely connotes the brevity of an individual's membership in the service and may not, in and of itself, be viewed as a defamation of character.  In instances where a former member has not completed six months of service, characterization of his or her service as honorable is normally appropriate when extenuating factors exist.  However, after a thorough review of the applicant's submission and the evidence of record, we see no evidence of any extenuating circumstances in this case.  Therefore, in the absence of persuasive evidence indicating that the applicant was deprived of rights to which entitled or that inappropriate standards were applied in this case, we find no compelling basis to recommend granting the relief sought.

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THE BOARD DETERMINES THAT:

The applicant be notified the evidence presented did not demonstrate the existence of an error or injustice; the application was denied without a personal appearance; and 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-2007-02450 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 29 June 2007, w/atch.
   Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
   Exhibit C.  Letter, AFPC/DPSOS, dated 24 August 2007.
   Exhibit D.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 2 November 2007.