RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2013-03763 COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: YES _________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: 1. His narrative reason for separation of “Adjustment Disorder” be changed to “Secretarial Authority.” 2. His Reentry (RE) code of 2C (involuntarily separated with an honorable discharge; or entry level separation without characterization of service) be changed to “3K” (Secretarial Authority). ________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: His narrative reason for separation is inequitable because it implies that the military environment is the cause of his adjustment disorder; however, his troubles stemmed from his grandfather's terminal illness and separation from him during his imminent passing. While this situation interfered with his ability to serve as an airman; it was a temporary condition and independent of the military environment. This temporary condition is no longer present and should not bar him from entering the military. If he is not granted an upgrade to his RE code, he will seek to serve as a civilian, likely through federal employment. It is very likely that the incorrect narrative reason for discharge of "Adjustment Disorder," will adversely affect his ability to do so. Therefore, he requests that it be changed on the basis of clemency. It is inequitable for him to indefinitely suffer from the stigma of "Adjustment Disorder," which implies incompatibility with the military, not family hardship. Other service members in similar situations have been successful with having the narrative reason for separation changed and their RE code upgraded to Secretarial Authority and RE-3K, respectively. This sets precedent for his situation. In support of his appeal, the applicant provides a personal statement, copies of his DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, issued in conjunction with his 5 Nov 12 separation, discharge package, AFBCMR Docket Numbers BC-2004- 02296, BC-2004-00938, BC-2001-3208, diplomas, certificates and various other documents associated with his requests. The applicant’s complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A. ________________________________________________________________ STATEMENT OF FACTS: On 16 Oct 12, the applicant enlisted in the Regular Air Force, for a period of four years. According to a Mental Health Evaluation, dated 30 Oct 12, the Behavioral Analysis Service diagnosed the applicant as having an adjustment disorder, anxiety and depressed mood. The Behavioral Analysis Service found that his disorder was severe enough that his ability to function in the military was significantly impaired. On 1 Nov 12, the applicant’s commander notified him that he was recommending his discharge from the Air Force for mental disorders. The applicant acknowledged receipt of the notification of discharge and was advised of his right to consult with legal counsel and submit statements in his own behalf. The discharge authority approved the separation and directed the applicant be discharged with an entry level separation. On 5 Nov 12, the applicant was discharged under the provisions of AFI 36-3208, Separation of Airmen, with a narrative reason for separation of “Adjustment Disorder,” with an RE code of 2C. He was credited with 20 days of active duty service. ________________________________________________________________ AIR FORCE EVALUATION: AFPC/DPSOR recommends denial, stating, in part, that based on the documentation on file in the master personnel records, the discharge to include the narrative reason for separation and the RE code was consistent with the procedural and substantive requirements of the discharge instruction and was within the discretion of the discharge authority. They found no evidence of an error or injustice in the processing of the applicant’s discharge. Airmen are given an entry-level separation/uncharacterized service characterizations 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 of continuous active service, it would be unfair to the member and the service to characterize their limited service. Therefore, the uncharacterized character of service on his DD Form 214 is correct and IAW 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, stating, in part, that the applicant's RE code 2C is required per AFI 36-2606, Reenlistments in the USAF, chapter 3, based on his entry level separation with uncharacterized service. The applicant does not provide any proof of an error or injustice in reference to his RE code. The complete DPSOA evaluation is at Exhibit D. ________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT’S REVIEW OF THE AIR FORCE EVALUATION: The applicant reiterates his original contentions that his narrative reason for separation and RE code is inequitable and should be changed. His mental state at the time, his grandfather’s illness and subsequent death was the cause of his Adjustment Disorder. The applicant’s complete response is at Exhibit F. ________________________________________________________________ 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 in regard to the applicant’s RE code. We took notice of the applicant's complete submission in judging the merits of the case; however, we agree with the opinion and recommendation of the Air Force office of primary responsibility (DPSOA) and adopt its rationale as the basis for our conclusion the applicant has not been the victim of an error or injustice. We note that the applicant submits evidence of excellent occupational functioning before and after his discharge; however, it does not predict that he will respond well to the stresses of military operations. The applicant also asserts, in essence, that his appeal is similar to the three cases he provides in support of his requests and believes that relief is warranted using the same rationale. However, we disagree. We note that every case before this Board is considered on its own merit since the circumstances of each case are seldom identical. After reviewing the cases provided by the applicant we do not find any of them comparable. In this respect, we note that in BC-2004-02296, the request to change the RE code was denied, therefore, it does not support the applicant’s request to change his RE code. In BC-2004-00938, the separation was based on unsatisfactory performance for failing in an Air Force training program, not for a mental disorder so it is not identical to the current case. On the surface it appears BC-2001-03208 is similar to the current case. However, in BC-2001-03208, the wrong RE code of 2K, which denotes “formally notified by the unit commander of initiation of involuntary separation action” was assigned at the time of separation. In view of the error, coupled with the military's need for volunteers in 2002, the Board found it in the interest of justice to change the RE code to 3K, Secretarial Authority. However, in the case before us the applicant’s RE code of 2C, assigned at the time of his separation is correct based on his entry-level separation with an uncharacterized character of service. As such, we do not find the referenced cases support granting the applicant’s request to change his RE code. 4. Notwithstanding the above, sufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the existence of an error or injustice warranting a correction to the applicant’s narrative reason for separation. In this respect, we note the applicant had only completed 20 days of service in the Air Force when he received his uncharacterized service discharge. We further note, based on the evidence provided, he appears to be thriving well in a post service environment. The evidence provided also causes us to question if sufficient intervention was taken to address what may have caused his adjustment problems. As such, we find it in the interest of justice to eliminate the possible stigma associated with his narrative reason for separation of “Adjustment Disorder.” We believe changing his reason for separation to “Secretarial Authority” will accomplish this end and still preserve in the record his unsuitability for further active military service. Accordingly, we recommend the record be corrected as set forth below. 5. The applicant's case is adequately documented and it has not been shown that a personal appearance with or without counsel will materially add to our understanding of the issue(s) involved. Therefore, the request for a hearing is not favorably considered. ________________________________________________________________ THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT: The pertinent military records of the Department of the Air Force relating to APPLICANT, be corrected to show that on 5 Nov 12, he was discharged under the provisions of AFI 36-3208, (Secretarial Authority) with a separation code of "KFF." ________________________________________________________________ The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2013-03763 in Executive Session on 8 Jul 14, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603: , Panel Chair , Member , Member All members voted to correct the records, as recommended. The following documentary evidence was considered: Exhibit A. DD Form 149, undated, w/atchs. Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Personnel Records. Exhibit C. Letter, AFPC/DPSOR, dated 28 Oct 13. Exhibit D. Letter, AFPC/DPSOA, dated 26 Nov 13. Exhibit E. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 10 Jan 14. Exhibit F. Letter, Applicant, dated 1 Feb 14, w/atch.