RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2017-01150

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX	COUNSEL: NONE
	
	HEARING: NO

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

The character of service on her DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, for the period 21 February 1985 to 20 May 1985, be changed from “Not Applicable” to honorable.

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

She was commissioned in the Air Force after completing Officer Training School (OTS) as a distinguished graduate.  She subsequently served seven years on active duty and completed a 30-year career, retiring from the Air Force Reserve as a colonel (O-6).  Her service during OTS was honorable and should be reflected as such.  She is currently a federal civil service employee paying off her military deposit for her Federal Employees Retirement System coverage of her active duty time.  If the character of service is not corrected, she will not receive credit for this period of service.  The applicant’s complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A.

STATEMENT OF FACTS:

The applicant enlisted in the Regular Air Force on 21 February 1985, as an officer trainee.

On 20 May 1985, the applicant received an entry-level separation under the provisions of AFR 39-10, Administrative Separation of Airmen.  Her character of service is “Not Applicable” and her narrative reason for separation is “To Accept Commission in the AF from Officer Training Program.”  She was credited with 3 months of active service. 

According to Special Order AH-1572, the applicant, an officer trainee, was appointed as a Reserve of the Air Force in the grade second lieutenant (O-1) effective 21 May 1985.

Via Reserve Order EK-0985, dated 26 November 2014, the applicant was assigned to the Retired Reserve effective 1 June 2015.

AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

AFPC/DP2STM recommends denying the application.  In accordance with AFR 39-10, paragraph 2-10, “the service of airmen separated for a reason in paragraph 2-11 (completion of officer training), will be characterized as honorable unless an entry level separation is required according to paragraph 1-19.”

AFR 39-10, 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 began her training on 21 February 1985 and the length OTS was less than 180 days; therefore, an entry-level separation was required upon completion of OTS.  The complete advisory is at Exhibit C.

APPLICANT’S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

The Board sent a copy of the Air Force evaluation to the applicant on 16 October 2017, for comment (Exhibit D), but has received no response.

THE BOARD CONCLUDES THAT:

1.  The application was not timely filed.

2.  The applicant exhausted all available avenues of non-judicial relief before applying to the Board.

3.  After thoroughly reviewing all Exhibits, it is the Board’s opinion that the applicant is not the victim of an error or injustice.  The Board concurs with the rationale and recommendation of AFPC/DP2STM and finds that a preponderance of the evidence does not substantiate the applicant’s contentions.  The Board also notes the applicant did not file the application within three years after the alleged error or injustice was discovered, or should have been discovered, as required by Title 10, United States Code, Section 1552, and Air Force Instruction 36-2603, Air Force Board for Correction of Military Records (AFBCMR).  Moreover, the applicant has offered no plausible reason for the delay in filing the application.  The Board finds the application untimely and concludes it would not be in the interest of justice to excuse the delay.  Therefore, the Board recommends against correcting the applicant’s records.

THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT:

The applicant be informed the application was not timely filed; it would not be in the interest of justice to excuse the delay; and the application will only be reconsidered upon receipt of relevant evidence not already considered by the Board.

The application was adjudicated without a personal appearance.

CERTIFICATION:

The following quorum of the Board, as defined in Air Force Instruction (AFI) 36-2603, Air Force Board for Correction of Military Records (AFBCMR), paragraph 1.5, considered Docket Number BC-2017-01150 in Executive Session on 12 April 2018:

, Panel Chair
, Panel Member
, Panel Member

All members voted not to correct the record.  The panel considered the following

Exhibit A:	Application, DD Form 149, w/atchs, dated 22 February 2017.
Exhibit B:	Documentary evidence, including excerpts from official records.
Exhibit C:	Advisory opinion, AFPC/DP2STM, dated 4 October 2017.
Exhibit D:	Notification of Advisory, AFBCMR to applicant, dated 16 October 2017.

Taken together with all Exhibits, this document constitutes the true and complete Record of Proceedings required by AFI 36-2603, paragraph 4.11.9.