RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:				DOCKET NUMBER:  BC-2016-01618
		
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX				COUNSEL:  NONE

							HEARING DESIRED:  NO

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

Her narrative reason for discharge be changed.

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

The narrative reason for discharge should be changed in light of the repeal of the Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell (DADT).

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

STATEMENT OF FACTS:

On 22 February 1996, the applicant enlisted in the Regular Air Force.

On 13 December 1996, the applicant was honorably discharged and was credited with 9 months and 22 days of total active service.  Her narrative reason for separation is “Homosexual Admission.”

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

AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

AFPC/DP2STM recommends approval.  The Under Secretary of Defense issued guidance pertaining to correction of military records requests resulting from the repeal of Title 10, Section 654, commonly known as DADT.  An excerpt from the aforementioned guidance follows:

“Effective September 20, 2011, Service DRBs should normally grant requests to change the narrative reason for a discharge (the change should be “Secretarial Authority” (Separation Program Designator Code [SPD] JFF), requests to re-characterize the discharge to honorable, and/or requests to change the reentry (RE) code to an immediately-eligible-to-renter category (the new RE code should be 1J) when both of the following conditions are met: (1) the original discharge was based solely upon DADT or a similar policy in place prior to enactment of DADT and (2) there were no aggravating factors in the record, such as misconduct.  Although each request must be evaluated on a case-by-case basis, the award of an honorable or general discharge should normally be considered to indicate the absence of aggravating factors.” The applicant’s record indicates her discharge was based solely on DADT or a similar policy and did not involve aggravating factors, which is further evidenced by the applicant’s honorable service characterization.

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

AFPC/JA concurs with AFPC/DPSTM’s recommendation to change the applicant’s narrative reason for separation.  In addition, although the applicant does not explicitly seek a change to her RE code, and the reenlistments branch has not provided an advisory on that matter, the abovementioned guidance directs that the Board grant requests to change the RE code to an immediately-eligible-to-reenter category when the original discharge was based solely upon DADT or a similar policy in place prior to enactment of DADT and there were no aggravating factors in the record.  The applicant meets these conditions; therefore, a change to the applicant’s RE code would be appropriate.

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

APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

Copies of the Air Force evaluations were forwarded to the applicant on 13 December 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.  Sufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the existence of an error or injustice.  We took notice of the applicant's complete submission in judging the merits of the case and agree with the opinions and recommendations of the Air Force OPRs and adopt their rationale as the basis for our conclusion the applicant has been the victim of an error or injustice.  Therefore, we recommend the applicant's records be corrected as 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 13 December 1996, she was discharged with a narrative reason for separation of “Secretarial Authority,” a separation code of “JFF,” and a reentry code of “1J.”

The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2016-01618 in Executive Session on 15 August 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 was considered:

Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 14 April 2016, w/atchs.
Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
Exhibit C.  Memorandum, AFPC/DP2STM, dated 13 July 2016.
Exhibit D.  Memorandum, AFPC/JA, dated 3 November 2016.
Exhibit E.  Letter, AFBCMR, dated 13 December 2016.

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 in the above entitled matter.