RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
         AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER:  BC-2004-02196
		INDEX CODE:  110.02

	XXXXXXX	COUNSEL:  NONE

	XXXXXXX	HEARING DESIRED: NO

MANDATORY CASE COMPLETION DATE:  18 JAN 2006

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APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

His narrative reason for separation and his reenlistment eligibility (RE) code of 2C (Involuntarily separated with an honorable discharge; or entry-level separation without characterization of service) be changed.

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APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

He was misdiagnosed with personality disorder.  While being diagnosed he was prescribed Zoloft and Valium.  The medicine did the total opposite of what was intended.  The medication was for someone with a disorder which he did not have.  Otherwise, the medication would have worked.

Prior to entering the Air Force, he received the “most distinguished graduate award” from the Youth Challenge Academy.  He was married after graduation, and in less than a month, he was sent to basic military training.  

In technical school, his wife joined him and informed him that they were having a child.  His test scores went from perfect to barely passing in no time.  He was advised to see the first sergeant and the chaplain.  After September 11, he was advised to send his wife home and that deployment was imminent.  He was terrified that he would not be able to see his daughter born.  He was referred to a psychologist by the chaplain, in hopes of again finding his ambition to serve his country.  Instead, he was advised the only way to see his daughter born was to get out of the military.  He was under a lot of stress and made the biggest mistake of his life and got out of the Air Force.  It was a mistake, not a disorder, as diagnosed. 

In support of his appeal, applicant submitted a personal statement; a copy of DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, dated 5 Dec 01; a psychological evaluation, dated 27 May 04; a copy of his honorable discharge certificate and his youth challenge academy certificate of graduation.

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

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STATEMENT OF FACTS:

Applicant enlisted in the Regular Air Force on 27 Mar 01 for a period of four years.

On 23 Oct 01, the squadron section commander initiated administrative discharge action against the applicant for a mental disorder.  The reason for the proposed action was on 14 Sep 01, he was diagnosed as having an antisocial personality disorder with additional cluster B personality traits (severe) as described in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV), which was severe enough that his ability to function effectively in the military was significantly impaired.  His disorder was evidenced by anger, extreme mood swings, and anxiety.
	
On that same date, he waived his right to consult counsel and to submit statements on his own behalf.  On 25 Oct 01, the attorney advisor found the case file legally sufficient to support an honorable discharge from the Air Force, without probation and rehabilitation (P&R).  On 13 Nov 01, the discharge authority directed applicant be honorably discharged and determined that P&R was not deemed appropriate.

On 5 Dec 01, the applicant was honorably discharged, by reason of personality disorder, and was issued an RE code of 2C.  He was credited with 8 months and 9 days of active duty service. 

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AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

The AFBCMR Medical Consultant states that the applicant was discharged for unsuitability due to personality disorder, on 5 Dec 01, after 8 months and 9 days on active duty and now requests his records be changed to show a different reason for discharge that would permit him to reenlist.

Applicant began basic military training (BMT) and on day three was presented to the emergency department with anxiety that began eight hours after arriving at BMT.  He was diagnosed with adjustment disorder with anxious mood.  The evaluating psychologist judged that he could continue training and recommended he be returned to duty.  Upon completion of BMT, he arrived at technical school training and experienced marital and financial problems resulting in referral to the Family Advocate Program, manifested difficulty with anger control, experienced mood swings and multiple physical complaints with normal medical evaluations.  Evaluations over several weeks resulted in diagnoses of mild posttraumatic stress disorder (presumed due to pre-service trauma) that was not severe enough to interfere with duty, alcohol dependence, and antisocial personality disorder with additional cluster B personality traits.  The personality disorder was determined to be the predominant condition and was considered so severe as to impair the applicant’s ability to continue to serve.  The mental health evaluation recommended administrative discharge for unsuitability.

Applicant experienced symptoms of anxiety, mood instability, multiple somatic complaints requiring frequent medical attention, anger and impulse control difficulty in the setting of marital discord and difficulty in the military training environment.  

Personality disorders are enduring patterns of maladjustment in the individual’s personality structure, which are not medically disqualifying but may render the individual unsuitable for further military service and may be cause for administrative or disciplinary action by the individual’s unit commander.  By definition, a personality disorder is an enduring pattern of thinking, inner experience, feeling, and behaving that is pervasive and inflexible, is relatively stable over time, deviates from the individual’s cultural norms, and causes distress or impairment in social and or occupational functioning.  The fact that the applicant is doing well at this time does not contradict the diagnosis since symptoms wax and wane according to situation and stress.  His history of personal problems that resulted in significant impairment of occupational functioning combined with the results of the psychological evaluation indicate that he is at risk for recurrent problems under similar circumstances of military occupational and personal stress.  A history of personality disorder severe enough to warrant administrative discharge is permanently disqualifying for reenlistment into the military.  Action and disposition in this case are proper and equitable reflecting compliance with Air Force directives that implement the law.  It is his opinion that no change in the records is warranted.

A complete copy of the evaluation is at Exhibit C.

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APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

A copy of the Air Force evaluation was forwarded to the applicant on 12 May 05 for review and comment within 30 days.  As of this date, no response has been received by this office (Exhibit D).

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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 error or injustice.  We took notice of the applicant's complete submission in judging the merits of the case.  However, we found no evidence that the applicant’s discharge or reason for separation were in error or contrary to the governing Air Force instruction.  Additionally, at the time members are separated from the Air Force, they are furnished a Reenlistment Eligibility (RE) code predicated upon the quality of their service and circumstances of their separation.  Applicant’s RE code of 2C accurately reflects his involuntary separation with an honorable characterization of service.  The applicant’s case has undergone an exhaustive review by the BCMR Medical Consultant and and we find that no evidence has been presented to overcome his assessment of the case.  After a thorough review of the evidence submitted in support of this appeal, including the 27 May 2004 psychological evaluation, we are not persuaded that the applicant has been the victim of an error or injustice.  Therefore, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, we find no compelling basis to recommend granting the relief sought in this application.

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THE BOARD DETERMINES THAT:

The applicant be notified that the evidence presented did not demonstrate the existence of material error or injustice; that the application was denied without a personal appearance; and that the application will only be reconsidered upon the submission of newly discovered relevant evidence not considered with this application.

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The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2004-02196 in Executive Session on 23 June 2005, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:

The following documentary evidence was considered:

    Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 7 Jul 04, w/atchs. 
    Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
    Exhibit C.  Letter, BCMR Medical Consultant, dated 10 May 05.
    Exhibit D.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 12 May 05.