RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF: 			DOCKET NUMBER:  BC-2015-04813

						COUNSEL:  NONE

						HEARING DESIRED:  NO

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

His type of separation (entry-level separation) be changed.

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

Witnessing a suicide while in Basic Military Training (BMT) caused a mental health evaluation, which led to his discharge.

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

STATEMENT OF FACTS:

The applicant initially entered the Regular Air Force on 19 November 1997.

On 8 December 1997, the applicant was notified by his commander of her 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 a mental disorder.  The Department of Mental Health, Wilford Hall Medical Center has determined this condition interfered with duty performance and conduct and was severe enough that his ability to function in the military was significantly impaired.  The specific diagnosis was Adjustment Disorder with Depressed Mood.

On 9 December 1997, the discharge authority concurred with the recommendation and directed the applicant be discharged.

On 10 December 1997, the applicant was furnished an entry-level separation and was credited with 22 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 (OPRs), which are attached at Exhibits C and D.

AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

The AFBCMR Psychiatric Advisor makes no recommendation on a change in the type of separation; however, she finds sufficient evidence to warrant a change in reason for discharge and separation code.  The reason for discharge should be Adjustment Disorder with Depressed Mood and the discharge code should be JFY.

The applicant was only in the military for 22 days.  The record indicates that the applicant was diagnosed with an Adjustment Disorder with Depressed Mood and not a Personality Disorder.  This error can be easily rectified.  This change would result in a change to his Discharge code, but not affect his reentry code

A complete copy of the AFBCMR Psychiatric Advisor’s evaluation is at Exhibit C.

AFPC/DP2STM recommends denying a change in the type of separation; however, finds sufficient evidence to warrant a change in reason for discharge and separation code.  The reason for discharge should be Adjustment Disorder with Depressed Mood and the discharge code should be JFY.

The applicant’s service characterization is correct as indicated on the applicant’s DD Form 214.  Airmen 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, the uncharacterized character of service on his DD Form 214 is correct and in accordance with DOD and Air Force instructions.

The applicant has not filed a timely petition.  It has been almost 20 years since the applicant’s discharge from the Air Force and there was no reason given for not submitting a timely application within three years of the alleged error or injustice.  Based on a review of the master of 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.  No evidence was found of an injustice in the applicant’s discharge processing.

A complete copy of the AFPC/DP2STM evaluation is at Exhibit D.

APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

Copies of the Air Force evaluations were forwarded to the applicant on 7 September 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 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 an error or injustice warranting a change to the applicant’s entry-level separation.  After thoroughly reviewing the evidence of record and noting the applicant’s contentions, we are not persuaded that the requested relief is warranted.  We note the rationale of the offices of primary responsibility (OPRs) and adopt their rationale as our own, and find no basis on which to recommend favorable action.

4.  Nevertheless, sufficient relevant evidence has been presented to warrant partial relief.  We took notice of the applicant’s complete submission in judging the merits of the case.  We agree with the opinions and recommendations of the OPRs and adopt their rationale as the basis for our conclusion the applicant has been the victim of an error or injustice regarding his narrative reason for separation and separation code.  Therefore, we recommend his 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 discharged on 10 December 1997 with a narrative reason for separation of “Adjustment Disorder” and a separation code of “JFY.”

The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2015-04813 in Executive Session on 9 September 2017 under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:

, Panel Chair
	, Member
	, Member

All members voted to correct the records as recommended.  The following documentary evidence pertaining to AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2015-04813 was considered:

	Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 1 November 2015, w/atchs.
	Exhibit B.  Excerpts from Master Personnel Records.
	Exhibit C.  Memorandum, AFBCMR Psychiatric Advisor,
  dated 23 May 2017.
	Exhibit D.  Memorandum, AFPC/DP2STM, dated 15 June 2017.
	Exhibit E.  Letter, AFBCMR, dated 7 September 2017,
  w/atchs.

Pursuant to paragraph 1 of AFI 36-2603 (Title 32 Code of Federal Regulations, Part 865.1), it is certified that a quorum was present at the Board’s review and deliberations, and that the foregoing is a true and complete record of the Board’s proceedings.