RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF: 			DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2016-04304 

						COUNSEL:  NONE
	
						HEARING DESIRED:  NO

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

His DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, Item 24, Character of Service, be changed from Uncharacterized to Honorable.

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

After successfully completing Officer Training School (OTS), in 2009, he was commissioned into the Air Force, and feels the period of service should be characterized as honorable.

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

STATEMENT OF FACTS:

The applicant initially entered the Regular Air Force on 14 Sep 09 for the purpose of attending OTS.  On 16 Dec 09, the applicant was furnished an Uncharacterized discharge, and was credited with       3 months, and 3 days of active service. 

On 17 Dec 09, the applicant was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant.

On 31 Mar 16, the applicant was furnished an Honorable discharge and was credited with 6 years, 6 months, and 14 days of total active service.

On 7 Apr 16, under Reserve Order PC-00621, dated 10 May 16, the applicant was appointed as a Reserve of the Air Force. 

The applicant is currently serving as a captain in the Air Force Reserve with an indefinite obligation.

In accordance with AFI 36-3202, Separation Documents, Table 3, Authorized Entries on Discharge Certificates, Rule 56, pertaining to Item 24, Character of Service, for airmen whose separation is described as entry level, enter uncharacterized.

In accordance with AFI 36-3208, Administrative Separation of Airmen, Paragraph, 2.11., Completion of Officer Training, “Discharge graduates of officer training contingent on their acceptance of appointment as commissioned officers.  Make the discharge effective the day before they take the oath of office as Air Force officers.”  Additionally, Paragraph 2.10. Type of Separation, reflects “Characterize the service of airmen separated for a reason in paragraphs 2.11 through 2.18 as honorable unless an entry level separation is required according to paragraph 1.19.”

Pursuant to the Board’s request, the OPR clarified the reference used in the discussion section of their advisory that Table 1.1, Line 3 of AFI 36-3208 is outdated (it references the previous AFI), however, paragraph 2.10 indicates the type of service characterization in the applicant’s case.  

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

According to AFI 36-3208, Administrative Separation of Airmen, Paragraph 1.19.1. Entry level Separation, “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 separated 16 Dec 09 in order to accept a commission in the Air Force upon completion of OTS.  The applicant began his training on 14 Sep 09 and the length of OTS was less than 180 days, therefore, upon completion of OTS, entry level separation was warranted in this case.  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.

A complete copy of the AFPC/DP2STM 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 26 Sep 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 office of primary responsibility (OPR) and adopt its rationale as the basis for our conclusion the applicant has not been the victim of an error or 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-2016-04304 in Executive Session on 13 Feb 18 under the provisions of AFI 36-2603, Air Force Board for Correction of Military Records:

The following documentary evidence pertaining to AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2016-04304 was considered:

	Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, w/atch, 21 Oct 16.
	Exhibit B.  Excerpts from Personnel Records.
	Exhibit C.  Advisory, AFPC/DP2STM, 2 Jun 17.
	Exhibit D.  Letter, AFBCMR, 26 Sep 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 pertaining to AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2016-04304, and that the foregoing is a true and complete record of the Board's proceedings in the above entitled matter.