RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF: 			DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2016-02412 

                         	COUNSEL:  NONE

				          HEARING DESIRED:  NO

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

Her character of service on her DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, for the period of 5 Jun 09 to 26 Oct 09 be changed from “Uncharacterized” to “Honorable.”

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

The “Uncharacterized” characterization of service discharge on the DD Form 214 received after her commissioning at the Officer Training School (OTS) is erroneous and should reflect and honorable discharge. As a result, she cannot receive service for this time as an Air Force civilian employee.  She would like to purchase this five months back for retirement under the Civilian GS system.

Her Statement of Service and service verification letter from the VA show her service as “honorable’ for her time at OTS and time served as an officer.  

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

STATEMENT OF FACTS:

On 5 Jun 09, the applicant initially enlisted in the Regular Air Force.

On 26 Oct 09, the applicant was discharged from OTS for the purpose of accepting an Air Force commission, was furnished an Uncharacterized discharge, and was credited with 4 months, and 22 days of active service. 

On 13 Dec 10, the applicant received an honorable discharge for “Failure to Complete a Course of Instruction,” and was credited with 1 year, 2 months and 17 days of service. 

The remaining relevant facts pertaining to this application are contained in the memorandum prepared by the Air Force office of primary responsibility (OPR), which is attached at Exhibit C.    

AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

AFPC/DP2STM-SEP recommends denial, indicating there is no evidence of an error or an injustice.  The applicant’s time in service at her discharge from OTS was less than 180 days and in accordance with AFI 36-3208, Administrative Separation of Airmen, an entry level separation with uncharacterized service is correct.  The applicant had 4 months and 22 days on active duty prior to her commissioning.

AFI 36-3208, paragraph 2.10, directs the service of airmen separated after completing OTS be characterized as honorable unless an entry level separation is required by paragraph 1.19.  Paragraph 1.19 states “Airmen are in entry level status during the first 180 days of continuous active military service or in the first 180 days of continuous active military service after a break of more than 92 days of active service.”  The applicant’s length of service on completing OTS was less than 180 days, therefore, an entry level separation was warranted.  Table 1.1 specifies 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 the applicant’s DD Form 214 is correct according to DoD and Air Force instructions.

A complete copy of the AFPC/DP2STM-SEP 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 31 Jan 17 for review and comment within 30 days (Exhibit D).  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.  We took notice of the applicant’s complete submission in judging the merits of the case; however, we agree with the opinion and recommendation of the Air Force OPR and adopt its rationale as the basis for our conclusion the applicant has not been the victim of an error of injustice.  Therefore, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, we find no basis to recommend granting the requested relief.

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-2016-02412 in Executive Session on 16 Nov 17 and 29 Nov 16 under the provisions of AFI 36-2603, Air Force Board for Correction of Military Records:

	Chair
	Member
     Member

The following documentary evidence was considered:

	Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 9 Jun 16, w/atchs.
	Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
	Exhibit C.  Memorandum, AFPC/DP2ST, 16 Aug 16.
	Exhibit D.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 31 Jan 17
	
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.