RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2010-02386 COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: NO _________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: His reentry (RE) code of 2C (involuntarily separated with an honorable discharge; or entry level separation without characterization of service) be changed be to a code that will allow him reentry into military service. _________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: He was only 19 years old when he was discharged and he has hopes of rejoining the military. In support of his request, the applicant provides copies of an AF Form 286, Personnel Reliability Program (PRP) Certificate, and an AF Form 286A, Notification of PRP Decertification Action. The applicant's complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A. _________________________________________________________________ STATEMENT OF FACTS: On 23 Jun 99, the applicant entered the Regular Air Force. The available records reflect that on 28 Aug 99, the applicant was diagnosed with an Adjustment Disorder with Depressed Mood and an inability to adjust to military life. Mental Health Services recommended a 150-day temporary decertification from his PRP duties due to depressive symptoms with sleep difficulties and medication. However, the commander determined the applicant no longer met the requirements to perform his duties and initiated discharge actions. On 30 Aug 99, the applicant was notified of pending discharge action based on his cited mental disorder. He elected not to submit statements in his own behalf. The staff judge advocate found the discharge legally sufficient and the discharge authority directed an honorable discharge without probation and rehabilitation. On 7 Sep 00, the applicant was honorably discharged. He was credited with 1 year, 2 months, and 15 days of active service. Prior to 2003, the Services characterized all separatees discharged due to mental disorders under a blanket Separation Program Designator (SPD) Code of “JFX” with a narrative reason of “Personality Disorder.” This SPD code and narrative reason did not properly distinguish the other mental disorders (Adjustment Disorder, Impulse Control Disorder, or other disorders) for which a service member could be separated. However, on 21 Sep 04, the Office of the Secretary of Defense released updated standardized SPD codes which included more specific mental disorders. _________________________________________________________________ AIR FORCE EVALUATION: HQ AFPC/DPSOS recommends the applicant’s narrative reason for separation of “Personality Disorder” be changed to “Secretarial Authority” and his separation code of “JFX” be changed to “KFF.” The HQ AFPC/DPSOS complete evaluation is at Exhibit C. HQ AFPC/DPSOA recommends denial of a change to the applicant’s RE code. DPSOA states the “2C” RE code is required based on the applicant’s involuntarily separation with an honorable discharge. The applicant does not provide any proof of an error or injustice in reference to his RE code. Further, DPSOA concurs with the recommendation of DPSOS. The HQ AFPC/DPSOA complete evaluation is at Exhibit D. _________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: Copies of the Air Force evaluations were forwarded to the applicant on 11 Feb 11 for review and comment within 30 days (Exhibit F). As of this date, this office has not received a response. _________________________________________________________________ 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 an error or injustice regarding the correction of the separation code and narrative reason for the applicant’s separation. In this regard, we note that the office of the Secretary of Defense released updated standardized codes to specifically identify mental disorders. Prior to this change, all mental disorders were grouped under the code for “Personality Disorder.” Since the applicant was actually diagnosed with an “Adjustment Disorder,” but was discharged prior to the 2004 change, DPSOS recommends his code and narrative reason be changed to “Secretarial Authority.” We agree with their recommendation and believe it is in the interest of justice to change the separation code and narrative reason to the more favorable code of “KFF” and narrative reason of “Secretarial Authority.” We also agree with the recommendations of HQ AFPC/DPSOS and DPSOA to deny the applicant’s request to change his reentry code. Therefore, we recommend the record only be corrected to the extent 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 on 7 September 2000, he was discharged by reason of “Secretarial Authority,” with a separation code of “KFF.” _________________________________________________________________ The following members of the Board considered Docket Number BC- 2010-02386 in Executive Session on 17 March 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 2 Jul 10, w/atchs. Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Personnel Records. Exhibit C. Letter, HQ AFPC/DPSOS, dated 11 Jan 11. Exhibit D. Letter, HQ AFPC/DPSOA, dated 24 Jan 11 Exhibit E. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 11 Feb 11.