Service RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2013-04729 COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: NO APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: His reentry (RE) code "2C" (Involuntarily separated with an honorable discharge; or entry-level separation without service characterization of service) be changed to allow him to reenter military service. APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: At the time of his discharge, he was treated unfairly. He failed to pass his Block 1 Unit retest with the minimum passing score; and was not provided an opportunity to reclassify into another air force specialty code (AFSC). Instead, he was discharged and given an RE code that makes him ineligible to reenter military service. The applicant’s complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A. STATEMENT OF FACTS: On 8 Mar 11, the applicant commenced his enlistment in the Regular Air Force. On 7 Jul 11, the applicant’s commander notified him that he was recommending his discharge from the Air Force for entry-level performance or conduct for failing to make satisfactory progress in a required training program (Air Crew Fundamentals Course). The specific reason for the discharge action was on 20 May 11, the applicant failed Block 1, Unit 6, Test A, with a score of 72 percent; and on 1 Jun 11, he failed the Block 1, Unit 6, Test B, retest with a score 82.5 percent. The required passing minimum score was 85 percent. It was further noted that the applicant received individual counseling and was washed back in an effort to assist the applicant in successfully completing his training. He was academically eliminated from training on 2 Jun 11. On 7 Jul 11, the applicant acknowledged receipt of the notification and waived his right to consult with legal counsel or to submit a statement in his own behalf. The legal office reviewed the case and found it legally sufficient to support separation and recommended the applicant be furnished an entry-level separation. The discharge authority concurred with the commander’s recommendation and the applicant was furnished an entry-level separation with uncharacterized service on 14 Jul 11. He was credited with four months and seven days of total active service. AIR FORCE EVALUATION: AFPC/DPSOA recommends denial noting the applicant has not provided any evidence of an error or injustice regarding his RE code. The applicant received the appropriate RE code based him receiving an entry-level separation with uncharacterized service in accordance with AFI 36-2602, Reenlistments in the USAF. A complete copy of the AFPC/DPSOA evaluation is at Exhibit C. AFPC/DPSOR recommends denial noting the documentation in the applicant’s master personnel records indicates the discharge, to include the type of separation, separation code, narrative reason for separation, and character of service, was appropriately administered and was within the discretion of the discharge authority. The applicant has not provided any evidence or identified any error or injustices that occurred in the discharge processing. Airmen are given an entry-level separation with uncharacterized service when separation is initiated in the first 180 days of continuous active service. A complete copy of the AFPC/DPSOR evaluation is at Exhibit D. 2 AF/TTOC notes at the time of the applicant’s elimination from training, AETC was experiencing an increased number of eliminees from initial skills training (IST), which created increased operating cost and overproduction. Furthermore, reclassifications were limited. In fact, reclassification is not an entitlement it is the exception rather than the rule. The applicant’s enlistment contract noted if he failed to complete training due to academic deficiency his enlistment agreement would be voided and he may involuntarily discharged, or reclassified into another AFSC based on the needs of the service. Several airmen were not reclassified after failing their initial skills training. The applicant was offered individual counseling and training washback to assist in succeeding in his recruited AFSC. 2 AF/TTOC recommends changing the applicant’s RE code to 3A (First term Airman “involuntarily separated” (entry-level) for inability to satisfactorily progress in a required training program without characterization of service; or first-term Airman “involuntarily separated” for failure to progress in military training required to be qualified for service with the Air Force or for performance of primary duties) to preclude the possibility of an injustice. While the RE code the applicant received at the time of his separation was technically correct, it does not appropriately apply to servicemembers who were eliminated academically from IST early during their first term. Furthermore, the RE code of 2C carries a negative connotation with unintended or unfair secondary consequences for the servicemember. 2 AF/TTOC believes the RE code of 3A is more appropriate for servicemembers who were academically eliminated from IST. This would provide the servicemember an opportunity to continue to serve with a waiver, whereas the RE code of 2C would not. APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: Copies of the Air Force evaluations were forwarded to the applicant on 2 Jul 14 for review and comment within 30 days (Exhibit E). As of this date, no response has been received by this office. THE BOARD CONCLUDES THAT: 1. The applicant has exhausted all remedies provided by existing law or regulations. 2. The application was timely filed. 3. Sufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the existence of an injustice. We took notice of the applicant's complete submission in judging the merits of the case and agree with the opinion and recommendation of the 2 AF/TTOC and adopt its rationale as the basis for our conclusion that relief should be granted. As we agree with the 2 AF/TTOC determination that the 3A Re-entry (RE) code is more appropriate to the applicant’s circumstances (academic elimination from initial skills training), we are convinced that corrective action is warranted. We note the applicant has requested an RE code that would render him immediately eligible for re-enlistment; however, in view of the fact the RE code of 3A is appropriate to his circumstances, we believe correcting his records in this manner is proper and fitting. While we note the comments of 2 AF/TTOC indicating the applicant may be eligible to serve once again, whether or not the applicant is successful in doing so will be based entirely on the needs of the service, provided he is otherwise qualified. Therefore, we recommend the applicant’s records be corrected as 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 issued a Re-entry (RE) code of “3A” (First term Airman “involuntarily separated” (entry-level) for inability to satisfactorily progress in a required training program without characterization of service; or first-term Airman “involuntarily separated” for failure to progress in military training required to be qualified for service with the Air Force or for performance of primary duties) in conjunction with his entry-level separation with uncharacterized service on 14 July 2011. The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2013-04729 in Executive Session on 2 Sep 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, dated 15 Oct 13, w/atch. Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Personnel Records. Exhibit C. Letter, AFPC/DPSOA, dated 6 Jan 14. Exhibit D. Letter, AFPC/DPSOR, dated 29 Jan 14. Exhibit E. Letter, 2 AF/TTOC, dated 27 May 14. Exhibit F. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 2 Jul 14.