RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2011-04872 COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: NO _________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: His discharge characterization, separation program designator (SPD) and reentry (RE) codes be corrected to allow him to reenter military service. _________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: Due to unforeseen circumstances and ill-advised actions on his part, he self-eliminated from technical training and was discharged from the Air Force. He was also told that he would be allowed to reenlist after six months. In support of his request, the applicant provides copies of his DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, an expanded statement, career and education profile, and a statement from his physician. The applicant's complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A. _________________________________________________________________ STATEMENT OF FACTS: On 23 Mar 10, the applicant contracted his enlistment in the Regular Air Force. He served as a Pararescue Helper. Lackland AFB Form 475, Course Setback/Elimination, dated 10 Jun 10, reflects the applicant was placed on a waiver due to knee and leg pain and that he declined setback when offered rehabilitation and return to training. In a Self Initiation Elimination (SIE) Policy Letter dated 18 Jun 10, the applicant acknowledged that if he self-eliminated from training for any reason that he could be administratively discharged without further counseling/rehabilitation. On 6 Jul 10, the applicant’s commander notified him that he was recommending his discharge from the Air Force for entry-level performance or conduct. The specific reason for the discharge action was the applicant’s self-elimination from the Pararescue Indoctrination Course. On 9 Jul 10, the applicant acknowledged receipt of the notification and waived his right to consult military legal counsel, but invoked his right to submit a statement in his own behalf. On 16 Jul 10, the legal office reviewed the case and found it to be legally sufficient and the discharge authority concurred with the commander’s recommendation. On 16 Jul 10, the applicant was furnished an entry-level separation with uncharacterized service, with an RE code of 2C (Involuntarily separated with an honorable discharge; or entry-level separation without characterization of service) and an SPD code of JGA, and was credited with four months of total active service. _________________________________________________________________ AIR FORCE EVALUATION: AFPC/DPSOS recommends denial, indicating there is no evidence of an error or injustice. Airmen are given an 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 if a member served less than 180 days of continuous active service, it would be unfair to the member and the service to characterize their limited service. In addition, the discharge was consistent with the procedural and substantive requirements of the discharge regulation. The applicant has not submitted any evidence or identified any errors or injustices that occurred in the discharge processing that warrants changing his separation code, RE code, or character of service. The complete AFPC/DPSOS evaluation is at Exhibit C. AFPC/DPSOA recommends denial noting the applicant has not provided any evidence of an error or injustice regarding his RE code. Per the governing instruction, AFI 36-2606, Reenlistments in the USAF, the applicant received the appropriate RE code based him receiving an entry-level separation with uncharacterized service. The complete AFPC/DPSOA evaluation is at Exhibit D. AETC/SGPS notes the applicant’s separation was carried out in accordance with established policy and administrative procedures; however, they support changing the RE code should the Board grant the request. SGPS further notes the history of injury is not disqualifying, and once healed and the individual is released to full unrestricted physical activities, and he meets accession criteria, he may be considered for entry into military service. The complete AETC/SGPS evaluation is at Exhibit E. _________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: While he understands the basis for the decision the Air Force took at the time of his separation, he does not want a decision he made due to inexperience, immaturity, and a different lifestyle to prevent him from being allowed an opportunity to serve in the military. He believes that since his discharge was not due to disciplinary reports or actions, he should be allowed an opportunity to serve (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. We took notice of the applicant’s complete submission, to include his rebuttal statement, in judging the merits of the case; however, we find no evidence of an error or injustice that occurred during the discharge process. Based on the available evidence of record, it appears the applicant’s entry-level separation for entry-level performance or conduct was consistent with the substantive requirements of the governing instructions and within the commander’s discretionary authority. He has provided no evidence which would lead us to believe his entry-level separation with uncharacterized service was improper or contrary to the provisions of the governing directive, or the RE and separation codes issued in conjunction with his entry-level separation were erroneous or inappropriately assigned. 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 following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2011-04872 in Executive Session on 7 Aug 12, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603: The following documentary evidence was considered: Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 26 Dec 11, w/atchs. Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Military Personnel Records. Exhibit C. Letter, AFPC/DPSOS, 21 Feb 12. Exhibit D. Letter, AFPC/DPSOA, dated 20 Mar 12. Exhibit E. Letter, AETC/SGPS, dated 7 May 12. Exhibit F. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 8 May 12. Exhibit G. Letter, Applicant, dated 28 May 12.