RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2010-04207 COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: YES ________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: His Reentry (RE) code of 2C (Entry-level separation (ELS) with uncharacterized service) be changed. ________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: He has been examined by a licensed psychologist and his RE code is inaccurate. He requests his RE code be changed so he may re- enter the Air Force. The applicant’s complete submission is at Exhibit A. ________________________________________________________________ STATEMENT OF FACTS: The applicant’s military personnel records indicate that he enlisted in the Regular Air Force on 19 Feb 02. On 8 Mar 02, the applicant’s commander notified him of his intent to recommend his discharge from the Air Force for a condition that interferes with military service, mental disorders, in accordance with AFI 36-3208, Administrative Separation of Airmen. The reason for the action was his diagnosis as having an adjustment disorder with depressed mood. On 8 Mar 02, the applicant acknowledged receipt of the action, waived his right to consult with legal counsel, and elected to not submit statements in his behalf. On 9 Mar 02, the case was found legally sufficient and the discharge authority approved the commander’s recommendation on 11 Mar 02. On 14 Mar 02, the applicant was furnished an ELS with uncharacterized service and was credited with 26 days of total active service. The remaining relevant facts pertaining to this application are contained in the letters prepared by the appropriate offices of the Air Force at Exhibits C and D. ________________________________________________________________ AIR FORCE EVALUATION: AFPC/DPSOS recommends the applicant’s narrative reason for separation and separation program designator (SPD) code be administratively corrected to reflect the circumstances of his separation. While the evidence of record indicates the applicant’s ELS with uncharacterized service was consistent with the procedural and substantive requirements of the discharge regulation and within the discretion of the discharge authority, the use of the narrative reason of “Personality Disorder” and SPD code of “JFX” constitutes an error. 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.” Because this SPD code and narrative reason did not properly distinguish the other mental disorders for which a person could be separated, the Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD) released an updated standardized SPD code list which includes the codes for more specific mental disorders. Since the applicant was furnished an ELS with uncharacterized service for an adjustment disorder with depressed mood, not a personality disorder, his narrative reason for separation and SPD code should reflect “Adjustment Disorder” and “JFY,” respectively. This recommendation does not infer that his separation from the Air Force was unjust or improper, rather the separation code entered on his DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, was incorrect. Airmen are given ELS with uncharacterized service when separation is initiated in the first 180 days of continuous active service. The Department of Defense (DoD) determined 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, the applicant’s uncharacterized service is correct and in accordance with DoD and Air Force instructions. A complete copy of the AFPC/DPSOS evaluation is at Exhibit C. AFPC/DPSOA recommends denial, indicating there is no evidence of an error or injustice with regard to the applicant’s RE code. The RE code of 2C is required in accordance with AFI 36-2606, Reenlistments in the US Air Force, based on the applicant’s ELS with uncharacterized service; the RE code is independent from the narrative reason for separation. Notwithstanding the AFPC/DPSOS recommendation related to the applicant’s narrative reason for separation and SPD code, the applicant’s RE code of 2C is appropriate based on his ELS with uncharacterized service. A complete copy of the AFPC/DPSOA evaluation is at Exhibit D. ________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: Copies of the Air Force evaluations were forwarded to the applicant on 13 May 11 for review and comment within 30 days. As of this date, no response has been received by this office (Exhibit E). ________________________________________________________________ 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. Insufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the existence of an error or injustice. We took notice of the applicant's complete submission in judging the merits of the case; however, we agree with the opinions and recommendations of the Air Force offices of primary responsibility and adopt their rationale as the basis for our conclusion the applicant has not been the victim of an error or injustice. The applicant’s contentions are duly noted; however he has presented no evidence which would lead us to believe the Reentry (RE) code of 2C was not appropriately assigned or did not accurately reflect the circumstances of his entry-level separation with uncharacterized service. He has provided no evidence which would lead us to believe otherwise. Therefore, absent evidence the applicant was not afforded rights to which he was entitled, there was an abuse of discretionary authority, or appropriate standards were not applied, we find no basis to recommend granting the requested relief. ________________________________________________________________ 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-2010-04207 in Executive Session on 26 Jul 11, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603: The following documentary evidence pertaining to AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2010-04207 was considered: Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 25 Oct 10. Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Personnel Records. Exhibit C. Letter, AFPC/DPSOS, dated 29 Mar 11. Exhibit D. Letter, AFPC/DPSOA, dated 9 May 11. Exhibit E. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 13 May 11.