RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2011-03542 COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: YES ________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: His DD Form 214, Certificate of Discharge or Release from Active Duty, be changed to reflect the following: 1. Award of the Air Force Commendation Medal with Valor and security forces badge in the Decorations, Medals, Badges, Citations and Campaign Ribbons Awarded or Authorized section. (ADMINISTRATIVELY CORRECTED) 2. A RE code other than “2C” (involuntarily separated with an honorable discharge; or entry level separation without characterization of service) that will allow him to reenter the Air Force. 3. Change of his SPD code (Personality Disorder) to allow him to reenter the Air Force. 4. Change of his narrative reason for separation from Personality Disorder to Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). ________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: As a result of his combat service in Operation Iraqi Freedom, he was diagnosed with PTSD. He agreed to counseling but refused to take the prescribed medication due to the negative side effects. He was then told he would be administratively separated for PTSD. When he received his DD Form 214, it stated Personality Disorder. The military personnel flight explained they could not change the reason for separation that was sent over from Life Skills. After the first year of his discharge, he was under a lot of stress and mental anguish. He continued to have problems at work and in his personal life. He began treatment for PTSD by a clinical physician from the Veteran’s Affairs Medical Center. During his treatment period, he was employed as a correction officer. He had no recurrence of PTSD during this time. He was later contacted by the Air Force Personnel Center and informed there was an error on his DD Form 214 and that it would be voided. He was told he would be reissued a new copy, however, his reason for separation was not changed and his RE and SPD codes still prevent him from reentering the Air Force. He is now cured of his PTSD and requests, in the interest of justice, that his DD Form 214 be corrected to allow him to reenter the Air Force. In support of his appeal, the applicant provides a personal statement and excerpts of his service records. The applicant’s complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A. ________________________________________________________________ STATEMENT OF FACTS: The applicant enlisted in the Air Force Reserves on 18 January 2002. On 17 December 2004, the applicant was notified of his commander’s intent to discharge him from the Air Force for conditions that interfere with military service: mental disorder. Specifically, he was diagnosed with a Personality Disorder. He acknowledged his right to counsel and to submit matters on his behalf: he consulted counsel and declined to submit matters. The staff judge advocate found the discharge legally sufficient. The commander directed the applicant be honorably discharged. He was issued an RE code of 2C and an SPD code of JFX. He was credited with serving 2 years and 7 months on active duty. ________________________________________________________________ AIR FORCE EVALUATION: AFPC/DPSOS recommends denial. The Life Skills Support Center confirmed the applicant’s mental disorder. The medical evaluation stated he did not have a medically disqualifying psychiatric condition. However, individuals with personality disorders have poor prognosis for improvement. They are at risk to act inappropriately and unpredictably. There is no evidence of psychosis or other disorder that would make one question competency. The applicant’s diagnosis suggests continued difficulty interacting in the Air Force and his level of dysfunction warranted separation from the Air Force. The applicant submitted a letter of enrollment in a 10-12 week Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder program. It is a highly structured, intensive educational series that addresses PTSD and includes clinical assessment and treatment. While the applicant is coping well in his civilian capacity, it does not change the basis for discharge. Additionally, the military environment is unique and stressors encountered in such an environment may not appear or surface when removed from the military environment. The discharge was consistent with the procedural and substantive requirements of the discharge regulation and was within the discretion of the discharge authority. The complete DPSOS evaluation is at Exhibit C. AFPC/DPSOA recommends denial. The applicant’s RE code is required per AFI 36-2606, Reenlistments in the USAF, based on his involuntary discharge with an honorable character of service. The Air Force Recruiting Service does currently waive RE code 2C, although they may not chose to in the applicant’s situation, each case is considered on a case by case basis. The complete DPSOA evaluation is at Exhibit D. ________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: Copies of the Air Force evaluations were forwarded to the applicant on 6 March 2012, for review and comment within 30 days (Exhibit E). 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 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 error or injustice. The applicant's complete submission was thoroughly reviewed and his contentions were duly noted. However, we agree with the opinion and recommendation of the Air Force offices of primary responsibility and adopt their rationale as the basis for our conclusion that relief beyond that already granted administratively is not warranted. Therefore, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, we find no basis to recommend granting the applicant’s request. 4. The applicant's case is adequately documented and it has not been shown that a personal appearance with or without counsel will materially add to our understanding of the issues involved. Therefore, the request for a hearing is not favorably considered. ________________________________________________________________ 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. ________________________________________________________________ The following members of the Board considered BCMR Docket Number BC-2011-03542 in Executive Session on 26 April 2012, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603: The following documentary evidence was considered: Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 2 Sep 11, w/atchs. Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Personnel Records. Exhibit C. Letter, AFPC/DPSOS, dated 30 Nov 11. Exhibit D. Letter, AFPC/DPSOA, dated 16 Jan 12. Exhibit E. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 6 Mar 12.