RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS
IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2008-00764 INDEX CODE:	100.00, 110.02

COUNSEL:	NONE HEARING DESIRED:	YES

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:
The following changes be made to his DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty:

1.	His narrative reason for separation of “Personality Disorder,” be changed to “Adjustment Disorder,” and the separation code be changed to reflect the corrected narrative reason for separation.

2.	His reenlistment eligibility (RE) code be upgraded from 2C to 1J.

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:
His separation is based on the narrative reason of a personality disorder which is contrary to his diagnosis of an adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood. The diagnosis of a personality disorder denotes a separation code of “JFX,” and a reentry code of “2C,” which renders him ineligible to reenlist in the United States Air Force. He has had a reexamination since his separation, and the findings report no mental condition which would bar him from reenlisting in the Air Force.

In support of his request, applicant provided a copy of his DD Form 214, a Psychological Health Services Testing Report, dated
22 Nov 07, documents pertaining to his discharge, an excerpt from AFI 36-3208, Administrative Separation of Airmen, and an excerpt from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders - Fourth Addition.

The applicant's complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A.

STATEMENT OF FACTS:
The applicant enlisted in the Air Force on 30 May 07, in the grade of airman basic.

On 26 Jun 07, the squadron commander notified the applicant that he was recommending he be discharged from the Air Force. The specific reason for this action was that on 5 Jun 07, he was diagnosed with an adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood that significantly impaired his ability to function effectively in a military environment. He acknowledged receipt of the discharge notification, waived his right to counsel, and his right to submit statements in his own behalf.

The case file was found legally sufficient and on 2 Jul 07, the discharge authority directed the applicant be discharged with an uncharacterized entry-level separation.

The applicant was discharged on 6 Jul 07 with a narrative reason for separation of personality disorder, and was issued an RE code of 2C (involuntarily separated with an uncharacterized entry level separation). He served one month and seven days on active duty.

AIR FORCE EVALUATION:
HQ AFPC/DPSOS recommends the applicant’s separation code be changed to reflect “JFY” and the narrative reason for separation be changed to reflect “Adjustment Disorder.”

His DD Form 214 incorrectly reflects he was discharged from the Air Force with a separation code of “JFX” and a narrative reason of “Personality Disorder.” This does not infer that the applicant’s separation from the Air Force was unjust or improper, rather the separation code entered on his DD Form 214, was incorrect. Since the applicant was diagnosed with an adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood, the DD Form 214 should have reflected a separation code of “JFY” and narrative reason for separation of “Adjustment Disorder.” Although DPSOS recommends the separation code and narrative reason for separation be corrected, they state the corrective action will not result in a more favorable reenlistment code than what currently appears on his DD Form 214.

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 and the discharge was within the discretion of the discharge authority.

Airmen are given entry-level separation/uncharacterized service characterization when separation is initiated within the first
180 days of continuous active service, it would be unfair to the member and the service to characterize their limited service. Therefore, the uncharacterized character of service resulting in the reentry code of “2C” on his DD Form 214 is correct and in accordance with DoD and Air Force Instructions.

2

DPSOS defers to the qualified medical professional as to whether the submitted psychological report administered after his separation from the Air Force provides merit to his petition.

The complete DPSOS evaluation is at Exhibit C.
HQ AFPC/DPSOA recommends denial of applicant’s request to upgrade his RE code from “2C” to “1J.” DPSOA stated they found no evidence of error or injustice in this case; nor did the applicant submit evidence of any. RE codes of “1J” are for those individuals who completed their term of enlistment; and whose commander considered and selected them for retention. The applicant was never considered or selected by the commander for retention as he opted for separation. However, if the Board’s decision is to grant relief based on additional medical opinions, they recommend the Board deny the applicant’s request for a 1J, but provide some relief by granting a RE code of “3K.”

The complete DPSOA evaluation is at Exhibit D.
The BCMR Medical Consultant reviewed this application and recommends changing the applicant’s narrative reason for discharge to “Adjustment Disorder,” and the assignment of the corresponding separation code for this diagnosis. He recommends denial of the request to change the RE code.

The applicant is justified in his request for a change in the reason for his discharge from Personality Disorder to Adjustment Disorder, as he was never diagnosed with a Personality Disorder. With reference to the RE code, the BCMR Medical Consultant acknowledges the applicant no longer carries a psychiatric diagnosis and that the definition of Adjustment Disorder, supplied by him, indicates that the condition, “by definition,” should resolve to a “chronic stressor,” e.g., financial difficulty or response of divorce. In the case under review, however, he notes that the stressors of military service itself resulted in the applicant’s maladaptive pattern of behavior. Thus, it is believed that upon re-exposure to such military– unique stressors, in essence a chronic stressor, the applicant will again become vulnerable for a recurrence or extended exacerbation of his previously demonstrated Adjustment Disorder that could pose both an unreasonable health risk and a risk for mission degradation. The Medical Consultant finds this factor particularly relevant, not only in the context of the stressors of completing Basic Military Training, but those which are to follow, to include the austere operational conditions and unrelenting mental stressors confronting all members of today’s wartime Air and Space Expeditionary Force.

The complete BCMR Medical Consultant’s evaluation is at Exhibit E.

APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:
On 13 Jun 08, copies of the Air Force evaluations were forwarded to the applicant for review and comment within 30 days. To date, a response has not been received.

On 6 Aug 08, a copy of the BCMR Medical Consultant’s evaluation was forwarded to the applicant for review/comment within 30 days. To date, a response has not been received.

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 warranting a change in the reason for the applicant’s separation. In this respect, the applicant is requesting the narrative reason for his separation and its associated separation code be changed to reflect “Adjustment Disorder” and “JFY”, respectively. The applicant’s records indicate he was administratively separated under the provisions of AFI 36-3208, Administrative Separation of Airmen, with the reason for his discharge being “Personality Disorder.” After reviewing the evidence of record, it appears the applicant’s narrative reason for separation inaccurately reflects the circumstances surrounding his discharge. As noted by the Separations Branch, he was not diagnosed with a personality disorder; but, as the record indicates, was diagnosed with an adjustment disorder. In view of this, and to preclude any further injustice to the applicant, it is our opinion that this matter should be resolved in his favor. Therefore, we recommend that the records be corrected as indicated below.

4.	Notwithstanding the above, insufficient relevant evidence has been provided to demonstrate the existence of an error or injustice regarding his RE code. We note the applicant’s request for an upgrade of his RE code from 2C to 1J, in order to serve again in the military. The RE code which was issued at the time of his separation accurately reflects the circumstances of his separation and we do not find this code to be in error or unjust. We note that an RE code of 2C, while barring him from reenlistment with the Air Force, may be waived by another branch of military service should they desire to do so. Therefore, in the absence of persuasive evidence indicating that the RE code is erroneous or unjust; we find no compelling basis to grant this portion of his request.

5.	The applicant's case is adequately documented and it has not been shown that a personal appearance with or without counsel

4

will materially add to our understanding of the issue involved. Therefore, the request for a hearing is not favorably considered.

THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT:
The pertinent military records of the Department of the Air Force relating to APPLICANT, be corrected to show that he was discharged on 6 July 2007 with a narrative reason for separation of “Adjustment Disorder” rather than “Personality Disorder,” and issued a separation code of “JFY” rather than “JFX.”

The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2008-00764 in Executive Session on 9 Sep 08, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:

Panel Chair
     Member
Member
All members voted to correct the records, as recommended. The following documentary evidence pertaining to Docket Number BC-2008-00764 was considered:

Exhibit A.	DD Form 149, dated 19 Mar 08, w/atchs. Exhibit B.	Applicant's Master Personnel Records. Exhibit C.	Letter, AFPC/DPSOS, dated 9 May 08.
Exhibit D.	Letter, AFPC/DPSOA, dated 16 May 08. Exhibit E.	Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 13 Jun 08.
Exhibit F.	Memorandum, BCMR Medical Consultant, dated 25 Jul 08.
Exhibit G.	Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 6 Aug 08.

6