RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 

 AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS 

 

IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2011-02717 

 

 COUNSEL: NONE 

 

 HEARING DESIRED: NO 

 

________________________________________________________________ 

 

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: 

 

His Separation Program Designator (SPD) code of KDB which 
denotes “Hardship” and his Reentry (RE) code of 4A which denotes 
(approved separation for hardship or dependency reasons) be 
changed to a code that will allow him to enlist in the Air 
National Guard (ANG). 

 

________________________________________________________________ 

 

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: 

 

At the time of his separation, based on hardship, his mother was 
dealing with cancer which required him to travel back and forth 
for her care. His mother is fine now and he would like to 
enlist in the ANG. 

 

He understood his decision; however, he did not feel he had a 
choice but to take care of his mother at the time. He now 
believes he can be an asset to the ANG. 

 

In support of his appeal, the applicant provides a personal 
statement; copies of letters of support; performance 
evaluations, and his DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or 
Discharge from Active Duty, issued in conjunction with his 
1 Sep 09 discharge. 

 

The applicant’s complete submission, with attachments, is at 
Exhibit A. 

 

________________________________________________________________ 

 

STATEMENT OF FACTS: 

 

The applicant enlisted in the Regular Air Force on 5 Jul 06 for 
a period of four years. 

 

The applicant requested separation for hardship, on 15 Jul 09, 
with a separation date effective 1 Sep 09. The discharge 
authority approved the applicant's request for separation to be 
effective 1 Sep 09. The applicant’s request for hardship was 
based on his mother being diagnosed with cancer and need for 
subsequent treatment and constant care. 


 

The applicant was discharged, on 1 Sep 09, by reason of 
hardship, with service characterized as honorable, with an RE 
code of 4A. He was credited with 3 years, 1 month, and 27 days 
of active duty service. 

 

________________________________________________________________ 

 

THE AIR FORCE EVALUATION: 

 

AFPC/DPSOS recommends denial, stating, in part, based on the 
documentation on file in the master personnel records, the 
discharge to include the applicant's discharge code was 
consistent with the procedural and substantive requirements of 
the discharge instruction and was within the discretion of 
discharge authority. The applicant did not submit any evidence 
or identify any errors or injustices that occurred in the 
discharge processing. 

 

The complete AFPC/DPSOS evaluation is at Exhibit C. 

 

________________________________________________________________ 

 

APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF THE AIR FORCE EVALUATION: 

 

The applicant reiterates his original contentions that he 
applied for a hardship discharge to care for his mother during 
the time she was battling with cancer. 

 

She has now recovered and he believes his experience as a 
firefighter can be utilized at the state ANG unit. 

 

The applicant’s complete response is at Exhibit E. 

 

________________________________________________________________ 

 

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 notice 
of the applicant’s complete submission, including the letters of 
support and recommendations provided in his behalf. In 
considering this, we note, at the time a member is 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 assigned code reflects the Air Force’s position 
regarding whether or not, or under what circumstances, the 
individual should be allowed to reenlist. In his request, the 
applicant notes, since his mother is doing better he is now 


ready to resume his military career. However, we are not 
persuaded the assigned RE code is in error or unjust or that a 
correction of the RE code is warranted. Additionally, it is our 
understanding, the RE code 4A is a code that can be waived for 
prior service enlistment consideration, provided the applicant 
meets all other requirements for enlistment under an existing 
prior service program, and depending on the needs of the 
service. Therefore, 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-2011-02717 in Executive Session on 29 March 2012, 
under the provisions of AFI 36-2603: 

 

The following documentary evidence was considered: 

 

 Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 5 Jul 11, w/atchs. 

 Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Personnel Records. 

 Exhibit C. Letter, AFPC/DPSOS, dated 27 Sep 11. 

 Exhibit D. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 29 Oct 11. 

 Exhibit E. Letter, Applicant, undated. 

 

 

 

 

 Panel Chair