RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2010-00858 COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: NO _________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: 1. His reentry code of 2C which denotes “Involuntarily separated with an honorable discharge; or entry-level separation without characterization of service” be changed to 1M which denotes “eligible to reenlist” or 2B (Separated with a general or other than honorable conditions) RE code. 2. His separation program designator (SPD) of JFX (Personality Disorder) be changed to JDR (Strength Reduction, First term airman, USAF). _________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: He was 18 years old at the time he enlisted in the Air Force and did not receive the career field he requested. He made a mistake by wanting to get out of the Air Force to join the Army to pursue the correct career field. He recognized his mistake; however, he did not do anything wrong to warrant the separation code of JFX. His personal doctors have evaluated him and determined he was fine. For the past three years, the Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS) military doctors have approved him medically; however, the waiver was disapproved by higher command because of the separation code. In support of his request, the applicant provides a letter from a doctor. The applicant's complete submission, with attachment, is at Exhibit A. _________________________________________________________________ STATEMENT OF FACTS: The applicant entered active duty in the Regular Air Force on 21 November 2006. On 15 December 2006, the applicant was notified by his commander that he was recommending his discharge from the Air Force for a mental disorder. The applicant was diagnosed as having an adjustment disorder with depressed mood, as described in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV). The evaluation stated the applicant’s ability to function in a military environment was considered significantly impaired. The applicant acknowledged receipt of the notification of discharge and waived his right to consult with legal counsel and to submit statements in his own behalf. The base legal office determined the case file was legally sufficient to support the separation. The discharge authority approved the discharge and directed the applicant be discharged with an uncharacterized entry-level separation under mental disorders. On 20 December 2006, the applicant received an uncharacterized entry-level separation, because of personality disorder and was issued an RE code of 2C. He served one month on active duty. _________________________________________________________________ AIR FORCE EVALUATION: HQ AFPC/DPSOS recommends the applicant’s SPD code be changed to reflect KFF and the narrative reason for separation be changed to reflect Secretarial Authority. DPSOS states that prior to 2003, the Services characterized all separations due to a mental disorder under a blanket SPD code of JFX with a narrative reason of personality disorder. The SPD code and narrative reason did not properly distinguish the other mental disorders (Adjustment Disorder, Impulse Control Disorder or other disorders) as referenced in AFI 36-3208, Administrative Separation of Airman, for which a service member could be separated. On 21 September 2004, an updated list of standardized SPD codes to include additional codes for more specific mental disorders was released. At the time of the applicant’s discharge from the Air Force, the expanded separation codes were not authorized for use. DPSOS states that JFX does not accurately reflect the applicant’s diagnosis of an adjustment disorder; therefore, recommends his separation code of JFX be changed to reflect KFF with a narrative reason for separation of “Secretarial Authority.” Although DPSOS recommends a change in the separation code and narrative reason for separation, they do not recommend a change to the applicant’s character of service. The complete DPSOS evaluation is at Exhibit C. AFPC/DPSOA recommends denial of the applicant’s request for a change of his RE code. DPSOA states RE code 2C is correct based on the applicant’s entry-level separation with uncharacterized service. He did not provide any supporting evidence that his RE code was in error. The complete DPSOA evaluation is at Exhibit D. The BCMR Medical Consultant recommends a change of the narrative reason for the applicant’s discharge to Secretarial Authority with a change of the separation code to KFF, but no change in his RE code. The complete BCMR Medical Consultant evaluation is at Exhibit E. _________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT’S REVIEW OF THE AIR FORCE EVALUATIONS: Copies of the Air Force evaluations were forwarded to the applicant on 3 December 2010 for review and comment within 30 days. To date, a response has not been received (Exhibit F). _________________________________________________________________ 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. Sufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the existence of error or injustice warranting a change in the applicant’s narrative reason for separation. After reviewing the evidence of record, it appears the applicant’s narrative reason for separation inaccurately reflects the circumstances surrounding his discharge. After noting the recommendations and opinions provided by the Air Force offices of primary responsibility and the BCMR Medical Consultant, we are persuaded that partial relief is warranted. As noted by the Separations Branch, at the time of the applicant’s separation from the Air Force, all members discharged due to a mental disorder fell under a blanket SPD code of JFX with a narrative reason of Personality Disorder. However, since the applicant’s actual diagnosis was an Adjustment Disorder with Depressed Mood, and not a Personality Disorder, we believe the interest of justice is best served by changing his narrative reason for separation to Secretarial Authority, with a separation code of KFF. In regards to the applicant’s request for a change of his RE code, the applicant has provided no evidence showing that his separation, characterization of his service, and RE code are in error or contrary to the prevailing instruction. Therefore, we recommend his records be corrected as indicated below. _________________________________________________________________ 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 20 December 2006 with a narrative reason for separation of “Secretarial Authority” rather than “Personality Disorder,” and issued a separation code of “KFF” rather than “JFX.” _________________________________________________________________ The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2010-00858 in Executive Session on 13 January 2011, 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 26 Feb 10, w/atchs. Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Personnel Records. Exhibit C. Letter, AFPC/DPSOS, dated 15 Sep 10. Exhibit D. Letter, AFPC/DPSOA, dated 20 Sep 10. Exhibit E. Letter, BCMR Medical Consultant, dated 29 Nov 10. Exhibit F. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 3 Dec 10.