RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF: 			DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2015-01798

  					 	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 a code that would allow him to reenlist.

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

He had to separate because his girlfriend’s suicide rate was close to 100 percent in which he was the main reason for her high stress level and hardship.  He felt helpless and decided to put her life before his career and his will to serve.  His mental state is back to normal after ending the relationship.  He is willing to commit 200 percent to have the chance to serve again.

The applicant’s complete submission is at Exhibit A.

STATEMENT OF FACTS:

The applicant initially entered the Regular Air Force on 10 October 2012.

On 19 February 2014, the applicant was notified by his commander of his intent to recommend that he be discharged from the Air Force under the provisions of AFI 36-3208 and AFPD 36-32.  The specific reason was the applicant’s diagnosis of an Adjustment Disorder with Mixed Disturbance of Emotions and Conduct.  His disorder was so severe that his ability to function effectively in the military environment was significantly impaired.  His condition had an adverse effect on his unit and his duty performance.  His mental health providers strongly recommended administrative separation from the Air Force.

The applicant was advised of his rights in this matter and waived his right to consult with counsel he elected not to submit a statement on his own behalf.

On 25 February 2014, the staff judge advocate found the case legally sufficient and recommended separation.

On 10 March 2014, the discharge authority concurred with the recommendation and directed the applicant be discharged.

On 14 March 2014, the applicant was furnished an honorable discharge and was credited with 1 year, 5 months and 5 days of total active service.

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

AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

AFPC/DPSOA recommends denial indicating there is no evidence of an error or an injustice.

The applicant states he had to separate because his girlfriend’s suicide rate was close to 100 percent in which he was the main reason for her high stress level and hardship.  However, the mental health evaluation states the applicant reported depressed mood, anxiety sleep disturbance, fatigue, poor self-esteem, guilt feelings, difficulty with concentration, loss of appetite, feeling restless and/or physically slowed down, irritability, and bad dreams.  Additionally, the applicant reported passive suicidal ideation and stated he had thoughts (no specific plans) of harming others.  The applicant does not provide any evidence of an error or injustice in reference to his RE code.

A complete copy of the AFPC/DPSOA evaluation is at Exhibit C.

The Psychiatric Advisor recommends denial indicating there is no evidence of an error or an injustice.

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 six 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 susceptible for an involuntary discharge, under authority of AFI 36-3208.

Addressing specifically the applicant’s implicit desire for a change of his Reenlistment code for reason of reenlistment into the Armed Forces, this Psychiatric Consultant would like to point out that the applicant stated on multiple occasions to his behavioral health provider that he dislikes his job and the “military destroying him”.  Applicant was eager to leave the service.  The issue of the suicidal girlfriend has never been mentioned by the applicant.  Moreover, he reported having passive death wishes/not caring if he lived or died, over the past year.  This consultant will not argue that the transition into the military is stressful; nevertheless, it should not result in the wish to die of the healthy individual and this consultant opines that applicant might have entered the service with a very fragile state of mind due to a poor distress tolerance, or heavy genetic load for the development of psychiatric disturbance, which resulted in a failure to adjust.  Furthermore, the striking difference in the disclosed information in this appeal versus 2014 psychiatric evaluations is very unsettling; and this advisor is bedazzled by which version should be accepted as the true development of the events.

A complete copy of the Psychiatric Advisor evaluation is at Exhibit D.

APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

Copies of the Air Force evaluations were forwarded to the applicant on 5 July 2016 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.  Insufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the existence of an error or injustice.  After a thorough review of the evidence of record, it is our opinion that given the circumstances surrounding his separation from the Air Force, the RE code assigned was proper and in compliance with the appropriate instructions.  In addition, the applicant has not provided any evidence which would lead us to believe that a change to his RE code to allow him to reenlist is warranted.  Therefore, we agree with the Air Force OPRs and adopt their rationale as the basis for our conclusion that the applicant has not been the victim of an error or injustice.  In the absence of evidence to the contrary, 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 members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2015-01798 in Executive Session on 11 August 2016 under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:

The following documentary evidence pertaining to AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2015-01798 was considered:

	Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 18 April 2015.
	Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
	Exhibit C.  Memorandum, AFPC/DPSOA, dated 18 June 2015.
	Exhibit D.  Memorandum, AFBCMR Psychiatric Advisor,
  dated 24 June 2016.
	Exhibit E.  Letter, AFBCMR, dated 5 July 2016.