RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2012-03296 COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: NO _________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: 1. His reentry (RE) code of “2C” which denotes “Involuntarily separated with an honorable discharge; or entry-level separation without characterization” be changed to to allow him to reenlist in the Armed Forces. 2. His narrative reason for separation of “erroneous entry” be changed to medical reasons. _________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: 1. His record is unjust due to the results of his past tests, Basic Military Training (BMT) fitness awards and his BMT completion certificate. 2. He started training to join the Air Force in 2006, when he was in the ninth grade. It has been a dream of his to achieve the honorable name “airman.” He followed the orders given from those appointed over him and managed to pass every test he has taken. If he had been diagnosed with Degenerative Arthritis, he argues that all the evidence shows he was in superior health prior to enlisting and he plans to have another Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) performed to prove that he was wrongfully discharged. The Air Force personnel “confirmed” that he would receive a medical discharge within six months and rejoin the Air Force. The applicant’s complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A. _________________________________________________________________ STATEMENT OF FACTS: On 4 Oct 11, the applicant enlisted in the Regular Air Force. On 19 Jan 12, the applicant was medically eliminated from the Tactical Air Control Party (TACP) training course. He was removed from the TACP course with a recommendation that he be discharged. On 15 Feb 12, the 37th Training Support Squadron commander (37 TRSS/CC) notified the applicant that he was being discharged from the Air Force for erroneous enlistment under the provisions of AFPD 36-32, Military Retirements and Separations and AFI 36- 3208, Administrative Separation of Airmen. The specific reason for the proposed action was the applicant’s diagnosis of Chronic Hip Pain, as documented on the SF 600, Chronological Record of Medical Care, dated 10 Jan 12. The condition existed prior to his enlistment and disqualified his enlistment under Department of Defense Instruction (DoDI) 6130.03, Medical Standards for Appointment, Enlistment, or Induction in the Military Service. According to the notification memorandum, dated 15 Feb 12, had the Air Force known of the severity of the applicant’s condition prior to enlistment, the Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS) may not have cleared him and allowed entry into military service. He acknowledged receipt of the discharge notification, waived his right to consult counsel, and to submit a statement in his own behalf. On 21 Feb 12, the Assistant Staff Judge Advocate reviewed the proposed discharge action and found the basis, service characterization, and probation/rehabilitation recommendations were supported by the evidence. On 23 Feb 12, the discharge authority approved the separation and on 27 Feb 12, the applicant received an uncharacterized entry-level separation, with a separation code of JFC, which denotes erroneous entry and was issued an RE code of 2C. He served on active duty for a period of 4 months and 24 days. _________________________________________________________________ AIR FORCE EVALUATION: AFPC/DPSOR recommends denial of the applicant’s request to change his character of service. DPSOR states the documentation on file in the master personnel records reflects the discharge was consistent with the procedural and substantive requirements of the discharge regulation and was within the discretion of the discharge authority. Airmen are given entry-level separation/uncharacterized service characterization when separation is initiated in the first 180 days of continuous active service. The Department of Defense (DoD) determined if a member served less than 180 days continuous active service, it would be unfair to the member and the service to characterize their limited service. Therefore, his uncharacterized character of service is correct and in accordance with DoD and Air Force instructions. The complete DPSOR evaluation is at Exhibit C. AFPC/DPSOA recommends denial of the applicant’s request to change his RE code. DPSOA states the applicant’s RE code 2C is required per AFI 36-2606, Reenlistments in the Air Force based on his involuntary discharge with uncharacterized character of service. DPSOA states the applicant does not provide proof of an error or injustice regarding his RE code, but points to his PAST test, BMT fitness awards and his BMT completion certificate. If otherwise eligible, a waiver from recruiting service would be more appropriate than changing his currently correct RE code. The complete DPSOA evaluation is at Exhibit D. AETC/SGPS recommends denial of the applicant’s request to change his RE code. SGPS states the medical notes from Wilford Hall Medical Center (WHMC) reflect the applicant’s condition did not bother him while in civilian life, but once he entered advanced Battle Field Airman training and the activities became rigorous and strenuous his hip pain became painful enough to interfere with training and he was unable to continue. Although the applicant made no mention of hip pain prior to entering the military it was felt by the provider that his condition existed prior to service (EPTS), but did not become symptomatic until the intensive physical training required by his battlefield Air Force Specialty Code (AFSC). The complete SGPS evaluation is at Exhibit E. _________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: Copies of the Air Force evaluations were forwarded to the applicant on 29 Oct 12, 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 timely filed. 3. Insufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the existence of an error or injustice to warrant changing the applicant’s RE code. After thoroughly reviewing the evidence of record and noting the applicant’s contentions, 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 that the applicant has failed to sustain his burden that he has been the victim of an error or injustice. In view of the above and in the absence of evidence to the contrary, we find no basis to recommend granting this portion of his application. 4. Nothwithstanding the above, sufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the existence of error or injustice to warrant changing the narrative reason for the applicant’s separation and corresponding separation code. Although the applicant has provided no evidence to show that his separation was improper or not in compliance with the appropriate regulations, we believe that partial relief is warranted. In this respect, we note the applicant completed Basic Military Training and was awarded the Fitness Excellence Award for exceptional dedication to physical fitness and esprit de corps. However, once he entered advanced Battle Field Airman training and the activities became rigorous and strenuous, his hip pain became painful enough to interfere with his training and he could not continue. We note the applicant was medically cleared for entry, had no prior history of chronic hip pain and there was no deliberate deception on his part upon his entry into the Air Force. As such, it is our opinion his reason for separation should be changed. Although the applicant requests his narrative reason for separation be changed to reflect medical reasons, in our view, the more appropriate correction would be to change it to “Secretarial Authority,” with a separation code of “KFF,” to remove any stigma associated with an erroneous entry classification. Therefore, in the interest of justice, we recommend the applicant’s records be corrected to the extent indicated below. _________________________________________________________________ THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT: The pertinent military records of the Department of the Air Force relating to the applicant be corrected to show that he was discharged on 27 February 2012, with a narrative reason for separation of “Secretarial Authority,” rather than “Erroneous Entry” and a separation code of “KFF,” rather than “JFC.” _________________________________________________________________ The following members of the Board considered Docket Number BC- 2012-03296 in Executive Session on 9 Apr 13, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603: Panel Chair Member Member All members voted to correct the records, as recommended. The following documentary evidence pertaining to AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2012-03296 was considered: Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 26 Jul 12, w/atchs. Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Personnel Records. Exhibit C. Letter, AFPC/DPSOR, dated 28 Aug 12. Exhibit D. Letter, AFPC/DPSOA, dated 5 Oct 12. Exhibit E. Letter, AETC/SGPS, dated 23 Oct 12. Exhibit F. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 29 Oct 12. Panel Chair