RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2014-01915 COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: NO APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: His reentry code and characterization of service be upgraded to so he can reenlist. APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: In 1999 when he enlisted, he was young and immature. He has suffered from the decisions of the past and would like to serve his country again in the Air National Guard or the Air Force Reserves in order to correct his past character mistakes. The applicant’s complete submission is at Exhibit A. STATEMENT OF FACTS: On 24 Feb 99, the applicant entered the Regular Air Force. On 4 Mar 99, he was scheduled for a commander-directed outpatient mental health evaluation. He acknowledged receipt that same day indicating he did not object to the evaluation. On 5 Mar 99, the Clinical Psychologist diagnosed the applicant with Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders (DSM-IV) Axis I – 296-32, Major Depression, recurrent, moderate and 305.00 Alcohol Abuse (by history). He received a deferred diagnosis for Axis II (799.9 – antisocial traits) and none for Axis III. It was recommended the applicant be immediately removed from training, sighting ability to function in the military as significantly impaired. On 9 Mar 99, the applicant received notification his commander was recommending his discharge for a condition that interferes with military service, specifically for mental disorders. He acknowledged receipt the same day waiving his right to counsel and to submit statements. On 10 Mar 99, the separation authority approved the applicant’s discharge under the provisions of AFPD 36-32, Military Retirements and Separations, and AFI 36-3208, Administrative Separation of Airmen, Chapter 5, Section B, Involuntary Convenience of the Government, Paragraph 5.11, Conditions that Interfere with Military Service, specifically Paragraph 5.11.1, under Mental Disorders. On 11 Mar 99, the applicant received an entry-level separation with uncharacterized character of service for personality disorder, after serving 18 days of active service. AIR FORCE EVALUATION: AFPC/DPSOA recommends denial of the applicant’s request for a Reenlistment Eligibility (RE) code change. The RE code 2C (Involuntarily separated with an honorable discharge; or entry level separation without characterization of service) is required based on the entry level separation with uncharacterized character of service and the applicant does not provide any evidence of an error or injustice in reference to his RE code. The applicant requests his character of service be upgraded from uncharacterized to honorable; however, there is no process to change an uncharacterized character of service which is mandatory for members separated with less than 180 days on active duty. Additionally, if the applicant had been eligible for an honorable character of service his RE code would still have been 2C based on being involuntarily discharged with an honorable character of service. The complete DPSOA evaluation is at Exhibit C. AFPC/DPSOR recommends denial indicating they found no evidence of an error or injustice in the applicant’s discharge processing. The applicant has not submitted a timely application. It has been approximately 15 years since the applicant’s discharge and the applicant did not provide a valid reason as to why he did not submit a request within three years of discharge. Based on a review of the master personnel records, the discharge was consistent with the procedural and substantive requirements of the discharge regulation and was within the discretion of the discharge authority. AFI 36-3208, paragraph 5.11 states “Airman may be discharged based upon one of the physical or mental conditions listed below when the commander determines the condition interferes with assignment or duty performance. When a psychiatrist or a PhD- level clinical psychologist confirms a diagnosis of a mental disorder under paragraph 5.11.9, that is so severe the member’s ability to function effectively in the military environment is significantly impaired and the commander chooses not to initiate separation action, the commander must have the decision reviewed by the discharge authority.” The commander was provided a report that indicated the applicant was referred for evaluation in response to his report of feelings of depression, irritability, and thoughts of suicide. The applicant had stated that he could not remain in training and worried that he may hurt himself or someone else if retained. The report further stated that the applicant described a several-year history of sad mood, impaired appetite and sleep, problems concentrating, low self-esteem, as well as frequent alcohol abuse. His alcohol use had reportedly caused him significant interpersonal and occupational problems in the past. Furthermore, the report stated that he had seriously thought about killing himself three times during his adolescence with the last incident being shortly before enlistment. Finally, the report concluded that the applicant would not be an asset to the military if retained. As a result, discharge action was initiated. The Separation Program Designator (SPD) code and narrative reason for separation are correct as indicated on the applicant’s DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty. The complete DPSOR evaluation is at Exhibit D. APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: Copies of the Air Force evaluations were forwarded to the applicant on 27 Oct 14 for review and comment within 30 days (Exhibit D). As of this date, no response has been received by this office. AIR FORCE EVALUATION: The Air Force Board for Correction of Military Records (AFBCMR) Clinical Mental Health Consultant recommends denial, indicating there is no evidence of injustice or inequity in the records reviewed. After reporting feelings of depression, irritability and thoughts of suicide he was evaluated at the Behavioral Analysis Service. During the evaluation, the applicant revealed history of symptoms consistent with depression, history of significant alcohol abuse, and confirmed he had seriously considered suicide on numerous occasions. The applicant received a diagnosis of Major Depression, recurrent, moderate, and Alcohol Abuse (by history). From a mental health perspective the applicant was clearly unfit for military service before entry into military service. The complete AFBCMR Mental Health Consultant evaluation is at Exhibit F. APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: A copy of the AFBCMR Mental Health Consultant evaluation was forwarded to the applicant on 17 Sep 15 for review and comment within 30 days (Exhibit G). 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 not timely filed; however, it is in the interest of justice to excuse the failure to timely file. 3. Insufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the existence of error or injustice. The discharge is in compliance with the governing instruction. Airman 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, reentry code and narrative reason for separation are correct and in accordance with DoD and Air Force instructions. The applicant has provided no evidence showing that his discharge was in error or contrary to the prevailing instruction. Therefore, we find no basis to recommend granting the relief sought in this application. THE BOARD DETERMINES THAT: The applicant be notified the evidence presented did not demonstrate the existence of material error or injustice; the application was denied without a personal appearance; and the application will only be reconsidered upon the submission of newly discovered relevant evidence not considered with this application. The following documentary evidence pertaining to AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2014-01915 was considered: Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 27 May 14. Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Personnel Records. Exhibit C. Memorandum, AFPC/DPSOA, dated 14 Jul 14. Exhibit D. Memorandum, AFPC/DPSOR, dated 16 Oct 14. Exhibit E. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 27 Oct 14. Exhibit F. Memorandum, AFBCMR Clinical Mental Health Consultant, 15 Sep 15. Exhibit G. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 17 Sep 15.