RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2011-04700 COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: NO ________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: Her character of service be changed from uncharacterized to honorable and her reentry (RE) code “2C” (involuntarily separated with an honorable discharge; or entry level separation without characterization of service) be changed to allow her to reenter the armed services. ________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: She was advised by a physician that it would be in her best interest to take a discharge. She was also told that she would be allowed to reenlist after six months. She has since learned that her discharge code does not allow her back into the Air Force and requires a waiver by all other branches. Had she known she could not reenlist, she would have never taken the discharge. In support of her request, the applicant provides a copy of her DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty and a physician’s note. The applicant’s complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A. ________________________________________________________________ STATEMENT OF FACTS: The applicant enlisted in the Regular Air Force on 30 August 2010. On 17 February 2011, the applicant was notified of her commander’s intent to discharge her from the Air Force for erroneous enlistment. Specifically, the applicant was diagnosed with Atypical Chest Pain Palpitation, a condition that existed prior to her service. She acknowledged her right to counsel and to submit statements on her behalf: she declined both. The case was found legally sufficient on 24 February 2011. On 25 February 2011, the commander approved the separation. Her service was uncharacterized and her RE code was listed as 2C. She was credited with 6 months and 2 days of active duty service. AIR FORCE EVALUATION: AFPC/DPSOS recommends denial. The applicant states she was advised it would be in her best interest to take a discharge and that she could reenlist in six months. A Family Staff Physician diagnosed her with Atypical Palpitation Chest Pain and stated that the condition existed prior to service. The physician also recommended the applicant reapply for enlistment. Airmen are given entry level separations with uncharacterized service when the discharge is initiated within the first 180 days of continuous active service. The Department of Defense (DoD) has determined if a member serves less than 180 days of continuous service, it would be unfair to the member to characterize their limited service. The applicant’s character of service is correct and in accordance with DoD and Air Force instructions. Additionally, the discharge is consistent with the procedural and substantive requirements of the discharge instruction and was within the discretion of the discharge authority. The applicant did not submit evidence of an error or injustice that occurred during the discharge process. The complete AFPC/DPSOS evaluation is at Exhibit C. AETC/SGPS recommends approval. The applicant was seen on 7 September 2011 by her civilian provider concerning her condition. The evaluation showed no signs of palpitations for over six months. Should she apply for reentry, she would have to meet the current standards and be cleared by the Military Entry Processing Stations Chief Medical Officer. The separation process was done in accordance with established policy and administrative procedures. However, since the applicant has remained asymptomatic they can support a change to her RE code. The complete AETC/SGPS evaluation is at Exhibit D. AFPC/DPSOA recommends denial. The applicant’s RE Code is required per AFI 36-2606, Reenlistments in the USAF, based on the entry level separation without a character of service. The RE code applies to all entry level separations whether the separation is voluntary or involuntary. AETC/SG states since the applicant’s symptoms have remained asymptomatic they can support a change in her RE code. However, the RE code is not driven by her medical condition. AETC/SGPS is not qualified to recommend a change of the RE code, yet, they are qualified to recommend the applicant be given an opportunity to be medically screened for reentry based on her current medical status. A waiver from Recruiting Services based on the medical community’s recommendation of meeting medical standards would be more appropriate than a change to her RE code. A waiver would identify prior circumstances for screening instead of circumventing the aspects of her prior service. The complete AFPC/DPSOA evaluation is at Exhibit E. ________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: Copies of the Air Force evaluations were forwarded to the applicant on 1 May 2012, for review and comment within 30 days (Exhibit F). As of this date, this office has received no response. ________________________________________________________________ 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 in judging the merits of the case to include the differing opinions of the Air Force evaluators. However, the Board agrees with the opinions and recommendations provided by AFPC/DPSOA and AFPC/DPSOS and adopt their rationale as the basis for our determination that the applicant is not the victim of error or injustice. Therefore, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, we find no basis to recommend granting the relief sought. ________________________________________________________________ THE BOARD DETERMINES THAT: The applicant be notified that the evidence presented did not demonstrate the existence of material error or injustice; that the application was denied without a personal appearance; and that 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-2011-04700 in Executive Session on 24 July 2012 under the provisions of AFI 36-2603: The following documentary evidence pertaining to BCMR Docket Number BC-2011-04700 was considered: Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 23 Nov 11 w/atchs. Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Personnel Records. Exhibit C. Letter, AFPC/DPSOS, dated 7 Feb 12. Exhibit D. Letter, AETC/SGPS, dated 28 Mar 12. Exhibit E. Letter, AFPC/DPSOA, dated 20 Apr 12. Exhibit F. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 1 May 12.