RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF: 			DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2015-00721

						COUNSEL:  NONE

						HEARING DESIRED:  NO 

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

1.  His narrative reason for separation be changed.  

2.  His uncharacterized discharge be changed to honorable or general (under honorable conditions).  

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

He would like to pursue employment in public health and immunology with either the Department of Defense or as a civilian contractor and not have the bad choices he made as a youth hamper his chances.  His preference is to either gain reentry into the military through the Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) or as an enlisted.  He is willing to serve under any position.  

He made the mistake of thinking he was strong; however, he experienced severe home sickness during training and he now realizes that had he stayed it would have worked its way out.  He was an insecure youth that screwed up a lot and was unsure of his identity.  In addition, he was diagnosed with Celiac disease causing him to experience a lower than average red cell count.  As a result, his condition led to depression.  

He was given the opportunity to return to training but after four weeks in the separation flight, he made the worst choice in his life and chose to separate.  He would like the opportunity to correct his mistakes and prove to himself, his family, and his county that he is a better person.  He is willing to submit himself to any and all screening deemed necessary to prove that he is physically, mentally, and emotionally stable and able to serve his country.  

The applicant’s complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A.

STATEMENT OF FACTS:

The applicant initially entered the Regular Air Force on 16 September 2008.  

On 7 October 2008, the applicant’s commander notified him that he was recommending his discharge from the Air Force for a condition that interferes with military service.  Specifically, the commander received a report from the Department of Mental Health that the applicant had been diagnosed with a mental disorder as contained in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders (DSM-IV) and the condition interfered with duty performance.  The conduct was severe enough that his ability to function in the military was significantly impaired.  

On 7 October 2008, the applicant acknowledged receipt of the action, waived his right to legal counsel, and elected not to submit a statement on his behalf.  The case was found to be legally sufficient.  

On 9 October 2008, the discharge authority directed the applicant be furnished an entry level separation.  

On 10 October 2008, the applicant was furnished an entry-level separation with uncharacterized service, a narrative reason for separation of “Personality Disorder”, separation code “JFX” (Personality Disorder), and an RE code of 2C (Involuntarily separated with an honorable discharge; or entry-level separation without characterization of service).  He was credited with 25 days of active service.  

The remaining relevant facts pertaining to this application are contained in the memorandums prepared by the Air Force offices of primary responsibility (OPR), which are attached at Exhibits C, D and F.  

AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

AFPC/DPSOR-SEP recommends denial.  There is no evidence of an error or injustice in the applicant’s discharge processing.  Based on a review of the applicant’s master personnel records, his discharge was consistent with the procedural and substantive requirements of the discharge regulation and was within the discretion of the discharge authority.  

In accordance with Air Force Instruction (AFI) 36-3208, Administrative Separation of Airmen, airmen are given Entry-level separation with uncharacterized service characterization when separation is initiated in the first 180 days 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.  Also, an airman may be discharged based upon a physical or mental condition when a commander has determined the condition interferes with assignment or duty performance.  When a psychiatrist or a PhD-level clinical psychologist confirms a diagnosis of a mental disorder is so severe that 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.  

In this case, the applicant’s commander was provided a report that indicated he was evaluated on 22 September 2008 for suicidal ideation with a plan.  He was admitted to be ensured of his safety and the safety of his unit.  The opinion of the evaluator was that his condition was so severe that his ability to function effectively in the military environment was significantly impaired.  As a result, he was not recommended for retention, but recommended for the initiation of a separation action as soon as possible.  Therefore, the SPD code and narrative reason for separation are correct as indicated on the applicant’s DD Form 214.  

A complete copy of the AFPC/DPSOR-SEP evaluation is at Exhibit C.

AETC/SGPS recommends denial.  Based on the documentation in the file provided for review, the discharge to include the type of separation, SPD code, narrative reason for separation and character of service were appropriately administered and within the discretion of the discharge authority.  The applicant did not provide any evidence that an error or injustice occurred in the processing of his discharge.  

The applicant’s provided records and medical notes from WHMC indicate he was evaluated in the inpatient unit for suicidal ideations with a plan.  He was diagnosed with ADHD and Adjustment disorder.  His symptoms were classified as severe and his ability to function in the military was significantly impaired.  He stated he understood the diagnoses and treatment plan.  Subsequently, he was processed for an entry level separation.  

A complete copy of the AETC/SGPS evaluation is at Exhibit D.

APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

Copies of the Air Force evaluations were forwarded to the applicant on 2 July 2015 for review and comment within 30 days (Exhibit E).  As of this date, no response has been received by this office.

ADDITIONAL AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

The AFBCMR Psychiatric Consultant recommends denial.  The applicant’s request to change his uncharacterized service characterization to Honorable is not in accordance with current policies, particularly AFI 36-3808.  The applicant was given an entry-level separation/uncharacterized service characterization because his separation was initiated in the first 180 days of continuous active service.  

The applicant’s contention that his low Red Blood Cell count somehow could be accountable for his poor adjustment to the Air Force is not valid.  His anemia was very mild and completely resolved by the time of discharge.  The most likely symptom that the applicant could have experienced was fatigue and poor exercise tolerance, but suicidality would not be expected.  

The psychiatric diagnosis of an Adjustment Disorder has been, for decades, listed in Air Force and Department of Defense policies as a medical condition not considered a compensable disability by the military Disability Evaluation System.  Although a recent revision of Department of Defense policy [April 2013] now acknowledges that an individual with a Chronic Adjustment Disorder renders the individual eligible for processing via a Medical Evaluation Board, the Acute Adjustment Disorder [that is a diagnosis initially made based upon an identifiable stressor, usually lasting no more than 6 months] continues to be held as non-compensable and non-ratable by the Military Departments.  When it has been determined that an Acute Adjustment Disorder is so severe as to significantly interfere with an individual’s ability to perform military service, the member is vulnerable for an involuntary discharge, under authority of AFI 36-3208, as was the case with this applicant.

Addressing specifically the applicant’s implicit desire for re-enlistment into the Armed Forces, it is noted he required hospitalization during his short service time.  While it is not arguable that the transition into the military is stressful; nevertheless, it should not result in the psychiatric admission and suicidal ideations of a healthy individual.  Since the applicant decompensated within the first month of his service, he might have entered the service with a very fragile state of mind, or/and he had a very poor distress tolerance, which resulted in failure to adjust.  

By Diagnostic and Statistical Manual IV/V Adjustment Disorder is characterized by “Marked distress that is out of proportion to the severity or intensity of the stressor”.  The key phrase is “OUT OF PROPORTION”.  There is no argument that when bad/demanding/stressful things happen people get upset, it is a normal reaction, but it would not be diagnosed as an Adjustment Disorder.  This diagnosis is only applied when the response to stress is “OUT of PROPORTION” to what normally would be expected in that particular situation.  It is presumed from the applicant’s desire to re-enlist and his recent accomplishments that he is doing well, but all it means is that OUTSIDE of the military (without its demands and stressors) the applicant manages well.  It has been determined that the applicant did not function well at the time of routine military stress and returning him to the military possesses uncertain risks of recurrence of mental health illness when he is confronted with stressors beyond his span of control; particularly under operational conditions confronted by all Military Departments, regardless of Service component or career field. 

A complete copy of the AFBCMR Psychiatric Consultant evaluation is at Exhibit F.

APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF ADDITIONAL AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

A copy of the AFBCMR Psychiatric Consultant evaluation was forwarded to the applicant on 19 May 2016 for review and comment within 30 days (Exhibit G).  As of this date, no response has been received by this office.  

FINDINGS AND CONCLUSIONS OF THE BOARD:

Insufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the existence of an error or injustice.  After a careful review of the applicant's contentions, documentation submitted in support of the request, and the available evidence of record, we are not convinced the applicant has provided sufficient evidence for us to conclude that he is the victim of an error or injustice.  We also note the applicant did not file the application within three years after the alleged error or injustice was discovered, or should have been discovered, as required by Title 10, United States Code, Section 1552 and Air Force Instruction 36-2603.  Therefore, because we do not find it would be in the interest of justice to recommend granting relief, and the applicant has offered no plausible reason for the delay in filing the application, we cannot conclude it would be in the interest of justice to excuse the failure to timely file the application.  Accordingly, we find the application untimely.  

THE BOARD DETERMINES THAT:

The application was not timely filed and it would not be in the interest of justice to waive the untimeliness.  It is the decision of the Board, therefore, to reject the application as untimely.

The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2015-00721 in Executive Session on 7 July 2016 under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:
	Panel Chair
	Member
	Member

The following documentary evidence pertaining to AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2015-00721 was considered:

	Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 14 February 2015, w/atchs.
	Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
	Exhibit C.  Memorandum, AFPC/DPSOR-SEP, dated 20 April 2015.
	Exhibit D.  Memorandum, HQ AETC/SGPS, dated 21 April 2015.
	Exhibit E.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 2 July 2015.
	Exhibit F.  Memorandum, AFBCMR Psychiatric Consultant, dated  
                 13 May 2016.
	Exhibit G.  Letter, AFBCMR, dated 19 May 2016.