RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2010-04634 COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: NO _________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: His reenlistment (RE) code of “2C” (Involuntarily separated with an honorable discharge, or entry-level separation without characterization of service) be changed to allow him to reenter military service. It appears he is also requesting his narrative reason for separation be changed _________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: The RE code he received was unjust because the basis for receiving the code was incorrect. He was young, afraid, and inexperienced when he requested to leave military service. That is no longer the case and he wishes for a second chance to serve. In support of his appeal, applicant provides a statement from his mother and a character reference from his Pastor. The applicant's complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A. _________________________________________________________________ STATEMENT OF FACTS: On 30 Jul 02, the applicant contracted his enlistment in the Regular Air Force. On 22 Aug 02, the applicant’s commander notified him that he was recommending his discharge from the Air Force for mental disorders. The specific reason for the discharge action was the applicant was diagnosed with a condition that interfered with military service. The applicant was evaluated by mental health and was diagnosed with an Adjustment Disorder Unspecified. His commander advised him of his rights in this matter. The applicant acknowledged receipt of the notification and waived his right to consult with legal counsel and to submit a statement in his own behalf. The legal office reviewed the case and found it legally sufficient to support separation and recommended the applicant be furnished an entry-level separation with uncharacterized service. The discharge authority directed that applicant’s entry-level separation with uncharacterized service and he was discharged on 28 Aug 02. He served 29 days of active service. _________________________________________________________________ AIR FORCE EVALUATION: AFPC/DPSOS recommends the applicant’s narrative reason for separation and SPD code be administratively corrected to reflect “Secretarial Authority” and “KFF,” respectively, indicating that prior to 2003, the Services characterized all individuals discharged due to mental disorders under a blanket Separation Program Designator (SPD) code “JFX” with a narrative reason for separation of “Personality Disorder.” The SPD code and narrative reason did not properly distinguish the other mental disorders (adjustment disorder, impulse control disorder, or other disorders) for which a service member could be separated. In December 2003, the services met with the Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD) and requested the establishment of additional and more specific SPD identifiers to more clearly designate the type of mental disorders as defined above. On 21 Sep 04, OSD released the updated standardized SPD codes, including the additional codes for more specific mental disorders. Airmen are given an entry-level separation when separation is initiated in the first 180 days of continuous active service. The Department of Defense (DoD) determined if a service member served less than 180 days of continuous active service, it would be unfair to the service member and the service to characterize their limited service. The complete AFPC/DPSOS evaluation is at Exhibit C. AFPC/DPSOA recommends denial of the applicant’s request to change his RE code. DPSOA states that even though DPSOS recommends correcting the applicant’s narrative reason for separation due to the change in guidance after the applicant was separated, DPSOS also validated the applicant’s discharge processing was correct and that his entry-level separation with uncharacterized service was carried out appropriately. Accordingly, the RE code “2C” is required per the governing instructions and is based on his receipt of an entry-level separation. The complete AFPC/DPSOA evaluation is at Exhibit D. _________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: Copies of the Air Force evaluations were forwarded to the applicant on 29 Apr 11 for review and comment within 30 days. 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 not timely filed; however, it is in the interest of justice to excuse the failure to timely file. 3. Sufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the existence of an error or injustice warranting a correction of the applicant’s narrative reason for separation. While we agree with the opinion of the Air Force office of primary responsibility that insufficient evidence exists to warrant a correction to the applicant’s assigned Reentry (RE) code of 2C, we note the narrative reason for separation of “Personality Disorder” was used for all unsuiting mental health disorders at the time of the applicant’s discharge, even in cases such as his when the diagnosis was adjustment disorder, not personality disorder. “Personality Disorder” did not properly distinguish the other mental disorders for which a service member could be separated. While not available during the time the applicant was discharged, “Adjustment Disorder” was eventually approved as a valid reason for separation in February 2007. Although action and disposition of the applicant’s case appears to be in compliance with the Air Force directives in effect at the time of his discharge, we believe it would be an injustice for the applicant to continue to suffer the stigma of such a characterization. Accordingly, we recommend that his 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 the APPLICANT be corrected to show that at the time of his entry-level separation on August 28, 2002, the narrative reason for his separation was “Secretarial Authority,” with a Separation Program Designator (SPD) code of “KFF.” _________________________________________________________________ The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2010-04634 in Executive Session on 16 Aug 11, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603: All members of the Board voted to correct the records as recommended. The following documentary evidence was considered: Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 8 Dec 10, w/atchs. Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Military Personnel Records. Exhibit C. Letter, HQ AFPC/DPSOS, dated 15 Mar 10. Exhibit D. Letter, HQ AFPC/DPSOA, dated 4 Apr 11. Exhibit E. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 29 Apr 11.