RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2010-01071 COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: NO _________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: His uncharacterized service be changed to honorable. _________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: He believes that he served his country honorably for 29 days. He was never in trouble and had no problems adapting to military life. In support of his request, the applicant provides documents extracted from his military personnel records. The applicant’s complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A. _________________________________________________________________ STATEMENT OF FACTS: The applicant enlisted in the Regular Air Force on 15 May 2007. On 8 June 2007, the applicant was notified by his commander of his intent to recommend that he be discharged from the Air Force under the provisions of AFPD 36-32 and AFI 36-3208, chapter 5, section 5B, and paragraph 5.11.9. The specific reason was a diagnosis by the Department of Mental Health Wilford Hall Medical Center, as having a mental disorder as contained in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV). It was determined this condition interfered with duty performance and conduct and was severe enough that his ability to function in the military was significantly impaired. He was advised of his rights in this matter and acknowledged receipt of the notification. The applicant waived his right to consult with counsel and elected not to submit statements in his own behalf. In a legal review of the case file, the assistant staff judge advocate found the case legally sufficient and recommended separation. On 11 June 2007, the discharge authority concurred with the recommendations and directed an entry level separation. The applicant was discharged on 13 June 2007. He served 29 days on active duty. _________________________________________________________________ AIR FORCE EVALUATION: AFPC/DPSOS recommends denial of the applicant’s request to change his character of service. DPSOS states airmen are given entry level separation/uncharacterized service 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 of continuous active service, it would be unfair to the member and the service to characterize their limited service. Therefore, the uncharacterized service resulting in the reentry code of (2C) is correct and in accordance with DoD and Air Force instructions. A review of the applicant’s record reveals there was an error in the applicant’s separation record. The applicant’s DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, incorrectly reflects he was discharged from the Air Force with a separation code of “JFX” and a narrative reason of “Personality Disorder.” This does not infer that the applicant’s separation from the Air Force was unjust or improper, rather the separation code entered on his DD Form 214, was incorrect. Since the applicant was diagnosed with an adjustment disorder with depressed mood, the DD Form 214 should have reflected a separation code of “JFY” and narrative reason of “Adjustment Disorder.” Although DPSOS recommends the separation code and narrative reason for separation be corrected, the corrective action will not result in a more favorable reenlistment condition than what currently appears on the applicant’s DD Form 214. The DPSOS complete evaluation is at Exhibit B. _________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: On 19 November 2010, a copy of the Air Force evaluation was forwarded to the applicant for review and comment within 30 days (Exhibit C). As of this date, this office has received no response. _________________________________________________________________ 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. After carefully reviewing the evidence of record, we are not persuaded that the applicant’s uncharacterized entry level separation should be changed. Therefore, we agree with the opinion and recommendation of the office of primary responsibility and adopt its rationale as the basis for our conclusion that the applicant has not been the victim of an error or injustice. Additionally, we note, an uncharacterized separation is not an unfavorable reflection of military service and should not be confused with other types of separations. Rather, an uncharacterized entry level separation merely signifies the length of military service and should not be viewed negatively upon a member’s character. We note the Air Force office of primary responsibility has indicated that the appropriate narrative reason and corresponding SPD code documented on the applicant’s DD Form 214 should have been “Adjustment Disorder” and “JFY,” respectively, based on the applicant’s diagnosis of an adjustment disorder with depressed mood. We concur with this recommendation. Therefore, we recommend the records be corrected to the extent 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 he was discharged on 13 June 2007 with a narrative reason for separation of "Adjustment Disorder" rather than "Personality Disorder," and a separation code of "JFY" rather than "JFX". _________________________________________________________________ The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2010-01071 in Executive Session on 6 January 2011, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603: All members voted to correct the records, as recommended. The following documentary evidence pertaining to AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2010-01071 was considered: Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 10 March 2010, w/atchs. Exhibit B. Letter, AFPC/DPSOS, dated 9 November 2010. Exhibit C. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 19 November 2010.