RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2010-00485 INDEX CODE: 110.02, 100.03 COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: NO ________________________________________________________________ THE APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: Her Reentry (RE) code of 2C (involuntarily separated with an honorable discharge; or entry level separation without characterization of service) be changed to RE code 1C and that she be allowed to return to active duty. ________________________________________________________________ THE APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: Her discharge from the Air Force was unwarranted. The reason for separation was academic in nature and two minor infractions that she disputed. She was never offered retraining and while she tried diligently to pass the training requirements, she struggled, and the offered assistance was not enough. Her discharge memorandum stated that she was not involved in any conduct to warrant demotion, yet she was discharged because of academic struggles. She does not believe the evidence warrants a RE code of 2C or that she was given proper guidance or counsel. She firmly believes that if she was given the chance to succeed in a training field that fit her, she could have been an asset to the nation and the Air Force. In support of her appeal, the applicant provides a copy of her DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, issued in conjunction with her 23 Dec 09 discharge and other documents from her military personnel record (MPR). The applicant’s complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A. ________________________________________________________________ STATEMENT OF FACTS: The applicant enlisted in the Regular Air Force on 7 Jul 09. On or about 2 Nov 09, the applicant failed to return to class as required; for this misconduct she received an LOR on 3 Nov 09. On or about 28 Nov 09, the applicant violated Phase II uniform requirements by leaving the base in civilian clothes. For this misconduct she received an LOR on 30 Nov 09. On 18 Dec 09, the squadron section commander initiated administrative discharge action against the applicant for entry- level performance or conduct. The reasons for the proposed action were based on the incidents listed above and that the applicant failed to make satisfactory progress in a required training program. She was eliminated from the Aerospace Ground Equipment Apprentice training course for unsatisfactory performance after failing Block 3, Unit 4, Test a, and Block 4, Unit 5, Test a (twice), with scores of 60%, 55% and 60% respectively. The minimum passing score was 70%. Prior to disenrollment, the applicant was counseled concerning her performance, was washed back three times and enrolled in mandatory study. Efforts to improve her performance met with negative results. On that same date, the applicant waived her right to counsel and to submit statements in her own behalf. The discharge authority directed discharge with an uncharacterized entry-level separation. On 23 Dec 09, the applicant received an uncharacterized entry- level separation, with a reason for separation of entry level performance and conduct, and was issued an RE code of 2C. She was credited with 5 months and 17 days of active duty service. ________________________________________________________________ THE AIR FORCE EVALUATION: AFPC/DPSOS recommends denial. The applicant’s service characterization is correct as reflected on her DD Form 214. They also note that airmen are given entry-level separation/uncharacterized service characterization when the separation is initiated in the first 180 days of continuous active service. The Department of Defense (DoD) determined that if a member served less than 180 days continuous 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 RE code of 2C is correct and in accordance with DoD and Air Force instructions. They found the discharge, to include the character of service, was appropriately administered and within the discretion of the discharge authority. The applicant did not submit any evidence or identify any errors or injustices in the discharge processing, nor did she provide any facts warranting a change to her discharge characterization, narrative reason for separation and separation code. The complete AFPC/DPSOS evaluation is at Exhibit C. AFPC/DPSOA recommends denial of a change to the RE code. The RE code of 2C is required based on the entry level separation with an uncharacterized character of service per AFI 36-2606, Reenlistment in the USAF, chapter 3. The applicant does not provide any evidence of an error or injustice in reference to her RE code. AFPC/DPSOS validated the applicant discharge processing and recommended denial. Additionally, the applicant requested an RE code of 1C that does not exist. The only 1# RE code that may be authorized for a member separating is 1J (eligible to reenlist, but elects separation). All airmen selected under the Selective Reenlistment Program (SRP) who elect separation are give RE code 1J); however, the applicant cannot be awarded an RE code of 1J as she was not selected for reenlistment by her commander under the SRP. The complete AFPC/DPSOA evaluation is at Exhibit D. ________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF THE AIR FORCE EVALUATION: A copy of the Air Force evaluation was forwarded to the applicant on 8 Oct 10 for review and comment 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 error or injustice. We took note of the applicant’s complete submission in judging the merits of the case. At the time members are separated from the Air Force, they are furnished an RE code predicated upon the quality of their service and the circumstances of their separation. The applicant’s RE code of 2C accurately reflects that she was involuntarily separated with an uncharacterized entry-level separation; and, given the circumstances surrounding her separation, we believe the RE code issued was in accordance with the governing instruction. In addition, the applicant contends that her discharge was unwarranted and that she should be returned to active duty; however, it appears the applicant’s academic deficiency was not the only reason for her separation. In her discharge notification, her commander noted two incidents in which the applicant received LORs for misconduct as well. Therefore, based on the evidence of record, it appears the discharge was consistent with the substantive requirements of the discharge instruction and within the commander's discretionary authority. Accordingly, we did not find an error or injustice in this case. In view of the above and in the absence of evidence to the contrary, we find no basis to recommend granting the relief sought in this application. ________________________________________________________________ THE BOARD DETERMINES THAT: The applicant be notified the evidence presented did not demonstrate the existence of material 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. ________________________________________________________________ The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2010-00485 in Executive Session on 10 November 2010, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603: The following documentary evidence was considered: Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 25 Jan 10, w/atchs. Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Personnel Records. Exhibit C. Letter, AFPC/DPSOS, dated 4 Aug 10. Exhibit D. Letter, AFPC/DPSOA, dated 2 Sep 10. Exhibit E. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 8 Oct 10.