RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2010-02134 COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: NO ________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: Her entry-level separation with uncharacterized service be upgraded to an honorable discharge, and her Reentry (RE) and separation program designator (SPD) codes be changed. ________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: She was disqualified from active duty and discharged due to her diagnosis of eczema; however, the diagnosis is erroneous. Since her discharge, a dermatologist concluded that she suffers from simple dandruff—not eczema. She would like the opportunity to continue her service. In support of her request, the applicant provides an expanded statement and copies of excerpts of her military personnel records, service medical records, and civilian medical records. The applicant’s complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A. ________________________________________________________________ STATEMENT OF FACTS: The applicant’s military personnel records indicate she enlisted in the Regular Air Force on 17 Feb 10 for a period of six years. On 5 May 10, the applicant was notified by her commander of his intent to recommend her discharge from the Air Force for erroneous enlistment. The specific reason for the action was a determination that she did not meet minimum medical standards to enlist and should not have been allowed to join the Air Force because of her eczema. On 9 May 10, the applicant acknowledged receipt of the action, waived her right to legal counsel, and elected not to submit a statement in her behalf. On 11 May 10, the applicant was furnished an entry-level separation with uncharacterized service with a narrative reason for separation of “Failed Medical/Physical Procurement Standards.” She was credited with 2 months and 25 days of total active service. The remaining relevant facts pertaining to this application are described in the letters prepared by the Air Force offices of primary responsibility (OPR) which are attached at Exhibits C through E. ________________________________________________________________ AIR FORCE EVALUATION: AFPC/DPSOA recommends the applicant’s RE code be changed to 3K (Secretarial Authority), indicating she was erroneously issued an RE code of 4C (Separated for concealment of juvenile records, minority, failure to meet physical standards for enlistment, failure to attain a 9.0 reading grade level, or void enlistments). The applicant should have been issued an RE code of 2C (Involuntarily separated with an honorable discharge; or entry-level separation with uncharacterized of service) as required by AFI 36-2606, Reenlistments in the USAF. However, given the circumstances surrounding her discharge, the applicant’s RE code should be changed to 3K (Secretarial Authority) so she may pursue re-enlistment, provided she is otherwise qualified. A complete copy of the AFPC/DPSOA evaluation is at Exhibit C. AFPC/DPSOS recommends denial with respect to the applicant’s request to change her character of service to honorable, indicating there is no evidence of an error or injustice. Based on the documentation on file in the master personnel records, the discharge, to include the service characterization, was appropriately administered and within the discretion of the discharge authority. Airmen are given entry-level separation with uncharacterized service when separation is initiated within the first 180 days of continuous active service. The Department of Defense (DoD) determined that it would be unfair to the department or the member to characterize a member’s limited service when such service is less than 180 days. Therefore, her character of service is correct and in accordance with DoD and Air Force instructions. A complete copy of the AFPC/DPSOS evaluation is at Exhibit D. AETC/SGPS recommends that relief be granted, indicating that while her separation processing was done in accordance with established policy and administrative procedures, her current diagnosis is not medically disqualifying; therefore, they believe changing her RE code and narrative reason for separation to allow her to re-enter military service is appropriate. A complete copy of the AETC/SGPS evaluation is at Exhibit E. ________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: The applicant re-affirms her contention that she does not suffer from the condition which caused her inordinate involuntary separation from the Air Force. In support of her response, she provides an expanded statement and a copy of a supporting statement. The applicant’s complete response, with attachment, is at Exhibit G. ________________________________________________________________ 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 an error or injustice with respect to the applicant’s type of separation and character of service. After a thorough review of the evidence of record and the applicant’s complete submission, we do not believe she was the victim of an error or injustice in this regard. In this respect, we note the comments by AFPC/DPSOS indicating that she was appropriately furnished an entry-level separation with uncharacterized service because her separation was initiated within the first six months of continuous active service in accordance with established DoD and Air Force policy. Therefore, we find no basis to recommend granting her request for an honorable discharge. Notwithstanding the above, sufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the existence of an error or injustice to warrant correction of her RE and SPD codes and narrative reason for separation. After a thorough review of the evidence of record and the applicant’s complete submission, we believe the applicant has raised sufficient doubt as to the accuracy of the diagnosis that resulted in her physical disqualification, and ultimately, her involuntary entry-level separation from the Air Force. In this respect we note the comments by both AETC/SGPS and AFPC/DPSOA indicating that while her entry-level separation was carried out in accordance with the prescribing directive, the applicant’s medical condition is not disqualifying and she should be permitted to apply for re-enlistment. Therefore, to preclude the possibility of an injustice to the applicant, we recommend the applicant’s records be corrected to the extent indicated below. ________________________________________________________________ THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT: The pertinent military records of the Department of the Air Force relating to the APPLICANT be corrected to show that on 11 May 2010, she was separated with an uncharacterized entry- level separation under the provisions of AFI 36-3208, paragraph 1.2 (Secretarial Authority) with a separation code of JFF and a reenlistment eligibility (RE) code of 3K. ________________________________________________________________ The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2010-02134 in Executive Session on 6 Oct 11, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603: The following documentary evidence was considered: Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 8 Jun 10, w/atchs. Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Personnel Records. Exhibit C. Letter, AFPC/DPSOA, dated 3 Dec 10. Exhibit D. Letter, AFPC/DPSOS, dated 1 Feb 11. Exhibit E. Letter, AETC/SGPS, dated 10 Feb 11. Exhibit F. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 31 Aug 11. Exhibit G. Letter, Applicant, dated 18 Sep 11, w/atch.