RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2014-02721 COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: NO ________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: His Reentry (RE) code of “2C” (Involuntarily separated with an honorable discharge; or entry level separation without characterization of service) be changed to “3A” (First-term Airman [involuntarily separated] (entry-level) for inability to satisfactorily progress in a required training program without characterization of service; or a first-term Airman [involuntarily separated]. ________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: His DD Form 214 reflects RE Code 2C and should be 3A. The applicant’s complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A. ________________________________________________________________ STATEMENT OF FACTS: According to the applicant’s DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, on 11 Jun 13, he enlisted in the Regular Air Force. On 3 Jun 14, the applicant was notified by his commander of his intent to recommend his discharge from the Air Force for unsatisfactory performance, specifically, failure to perform assigned duties properly. The reason for the action was the applicant was removed from the Tactical Air Control Party (TACP) Apprentice Course for medical reasons but refused to reclassify into another career field. On 3 Jun 14, the applicant acknowledged receipt of the action, consulted counsel and submitted statements in his behalf. On 12 Jun 14, the case was found to be legally sufficient and on 13 Jun 14, the discharge authority approved the commander’s recommendation, directing the applicant’s administrative discharge without probation and rehabilitation. On 19 Jun 14, the applicant was honorably discharged, with a narrative reason for separation of “Unsatisfactory Performance,” and with a RE code of 2C. He was credited with one year and nine days of total active service. On 19 Jun 14, a subsequent DD Form 214 was issued and incorrectly reflected RE code 3A. The DD Form 214 submitted with the applicant’s request has RE code 2C. ________________________________________________________________ AIR FORCE EVALUATION: AFPC/DPSOA recommends denial, indicating the applicant did not provide any proof of an injustice or error in reference to his RE code 2C. RE code 3A is only updated in place of RE code 2C for members who are discharged for an inability to satisfactorily progress in a required training program. On 29 Aug 12, the Air Staff added the meaning of the RE code 3A to be awarded to Airmen who were still in their initial technical school that fail out and are separated due to an inability to satisfactorily progress in a required training program. However, the guidance was written specifically not to include members who self-eliminate from training or any other discharge reason. The discharge authority complied with the applicant’s request for a RE code 3A; however, he had no authority to do so. The circumstances and service dates dictate the appropriate RE code for members being involuntarily discharged. There are no decisions to be made as only one RE code will have priority in each case. According to AFI 36-2606, Reenlistment in the USAF, paragraph 5.20.1, RE codes are updated according to the following hierarchy: 2#, 4#, 3#, and 1#. Although the applicant’s copy of his DD Form 214 has RE code 2C, the DD Form 214 in his records with RE code 3A is his official DD Form 214 since it was issued last. AFPC/DPSOY will provide the applicant a corrected copy of his DD Form 214 with RE code 2C, unless otherwise directed by the Board. The complete DPSOA evaluation is at Exhibit C. ________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: A copy of the Air Force evaluation was forwarded to the applicant on 2 Feb 15 for review and comment within 30 days. As of this date, no response has been received by this office (Exhibit D). ________________________________________________________________ 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 as requested. In this respect, it appears the applicant’s initial DD Form 214 was correctly prepared with a RE code of “2C.” According to the Office of Primary Responsibility (OPR), the applicant requested that it be changed to RE code 3A and the discharge authority approved his request; however, lacked the authority to do so. Subsequently, he was issued another DD Form 214 with RE Code “3A” and since it was issued last, it is now considered the applicant’s official DD Form 214. Although the applicant’s records currently reflect the relief he is seeking, we do not believe it accurately describes the circumstances surround his separation. Therefore, we believe the relief recommended below, provides the applicant full and fitting relief. Accordingly, we find no basis to recommend granting the requested relief. 4. Notwithstanding the above, sufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the existence of an error warranting partial relief. Even though the applicant has provided no evidence to show that his separation was improper or not in compliance with the appropriate regulations, it appears his RE Code was recorded in error. While the applicant requests his RE code be changed to “3A,” as noted above, his records already reflects a RE code of “3A” yet it does not accurately describe the circumstances surrounding his separation. While the Air Force OPR recommends changing his RE code from “3A” to “2C,” given that RE codes are updated according to hierarchy, changing his record in this manner would be detrimental to the applicant. Therefore, we recommend correcting the applicant’s records to reflect the more favorable RE code of “3K” which denotes “Secretarial Authority.” Accordingly, we recommend his 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 APPLICANT, be corrected to show that on 19 Jun 14, he was discharged with a reentry code of 3K (Secretarial Authority). ________________________________________________________________ The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2014-02721 in Executive Session on 17 Mar 15, 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 12 Jul 14, w/atchs. Exhibit B. Applicant's Available Master Personnel Records. Exhibit C. Letter, AFPC/DPSOA, dated 8 Oct 14. Exhibit D. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 2 Feb 15.