RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2011-02390 COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: NO _________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: 1. His entry-level separation with uncharacterized service be upgraded to an honorable discharge. 2. The narrative reason for separation on his DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, be changed to reflect “Financial Difficulty” rather than “Personality Disorder.” _________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: He is requesting an honorable discharge based on his overall good standing while on active service. He was evaluated by a psychologist who found no evidence of a personality disorder. He would like to reenter military service. In support of his request, the applicant provides a copy of his DD Form 214 and letter of evaluation from his psychologist. The applicant’s complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A. _________________________________________________________________ STATEMENT OF FACTS: On 27 Aug 02, the applicant contracted his enlistment in the Regular Air Force. On 28 Jan 03, 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 on 15 Jan 03 with adjustment disorder which severely impacted his ability to function effectively in a military environment. His commander advised him of his rights in this matter. On 28 Jan 03, he acknowledged receipt of the notification of discharge and, after consulting with legal counsel, waived his right to submit a statement in his own behalf. On 6 Feb 03, the legal office reviewed the case and found it legally sufficient to support separation and recommended separation with an honorable discharge without probation and rehabilitation. On 10 Feb 03, the discharge authority concurred with the commander’s recommendation and directed the applicant be furnished an entry-level separation. On 11 Feb 03, the applicant was furnished an entry-level separation with uncharacterized service and was credited with 5 months and 15 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. As for his request for an honorable discharge, 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. Therefore, the applicant was appropriately furnished an entry-level separation with uncharacterized service. The complete AFPC/DPSOS evaluation is at Exhibit C. _________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: A copy of the Air Force evaluation was forwarded to the applicant on 4 Nov 11 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 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 an injustice or error warranting upgrading the applicant’s entry-level separation with uncharacterized service to an honorable discharge. We took notice of the applicant’s complete submission in judging the merits of the case; however, we find no evidence of an error or injustice that occurred during the discharge process. Based on the available evidence of record, it appears the applicant’s entry-level separation with uncharacterized service was consistent with the substantive requirements of the governing instructions and within the commander’s discretionary authority. He has provided no evidence which would lead us to believe his entry-level separation with uncharacterized service was improper or contrary to the provisions of the governing directive. Notwithstanding the above, sufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the existence of an error or injustice warranting a change to the narrative reason for separation and separation program designator (SPD) issued in conjunction with the applicant’s entry level separation. In this respect, 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 believe that changing his narrative reason for separation and SPD code to reflect “Secretarial Authority” and “KFF,” respectively, represents full and fitting relief. Therefore, we recommend his records be corrected as 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 in conjunction with his entry-level separation on 11 February 2003, he was issued a narrative reason for his separation of "Secretarial Authority," rather than "Personality Disorder," and a separation program designator (SPD) code of "KFF," rather than "JFX." _________________________________________________________________ The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2011-02390 in Executive Session on 9 Feb 12, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603: All members voted to correct the records as recommended. The following documentary evidence was considered: Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 3 Jun 11, w/atchs. Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Personnel Records. Exhibit C. Letter, AFPC/DPSOS, dated 3 Oct 11. Exhibit D. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 4 Nov 11.