RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2011-03996 COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: NO _________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: 1. His reentry (RE) code of 2C (Separated with a general or under-other-than-honorable conditions (UOTHC) discharge) be changed to one that will allow him to reenter the military. 2. His character of service be changed from entry level to honorable. 3. His DD Form 214, Certification of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, be updated to reflect the Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon (SAEMR) – administratively corrected. _________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: At the time he was discharged from the Air Force his brother was diagnosed with cancer and he was trying to deal with the situation. After being discharged, he was reevaluated by a doctor and was found not to suffer from an anxiety disorder. In support of his request, the applicant provides a copy of his DD Form 214, a copy of his AF IMT 522, USAF Ground Weapons Training Data, and a copy of a note from his physician. His complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A. _________________________________________________________________ STATEMENT OF FACTS: The applicant enlisted in the Regular Air Force on 17 Mar 09. He was notified by his commander that he was recommending that he be discharged from the Air Force under the provisions of AFI 36- 3208, Administrative Separation of Airman, Conditions that Interfere with Military Service (Mental Disorder). The applicant acknowledged receipt of the notification of discharge and was advised of his right to consult with legal counsel and submit statements on his own behalf. After a legal review, the Chief of Nonjudicial Punishment found it legally sufficient. On 21 Sep 09, the applicant was discharged with an entry level separation and an RE code of “2C” after serving 6 months and 5 days on active duty. On 13 Feb 12, AFPC/DPSIDR notified the applicant that they verified his entitlement to the SAEMR. _________________________________________________________________ AIR FORCE EVALUATION: AFPC/DPSOS recommends denial. Although the applicant’s Axis II diagnosis was for No Diagnosis, traits of dependent personality disorder, his discharge from the Air Force was based upon the Axis I diagnosis of Major Depressive Disorder with single episode, moderate. The clinical opinion was that the applicant had a Major Depressive Disorder as well as traits of a personality disorder that predisposed him to depression and the inability to cope with stressful environments. His depression was at a moderately severe level and his ability to function effectively in the military was significantly impaired. The discharge to include the narrative reason for separation and separation code was consistent with the procedural and substantive requirements of the discharge instruction and was within the discharge authority’s discretion. The complete DPSOS evaluation is at Exhibit C. AFPC/DPSOA recommends denial. The applicant does not provide any evidence that supports a correction to his RE code. The applicant was given the correct RE code at the time of his discharge. The complete DPSOA evaluation is at Exhibit D. _________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: Within his first 48 hours of Basic Military Training (BMT), he was assigned as the Guide-on Bearer for his flight. He held this position for 8 ˝ weeks. He also performed duties as the Airmen’s Run, Coining Ceremony, and Graduation Parade as the guide-on. He graduated BMT and went to technical training school at Kessler AFB, Mississippi, where he began his skills training as an air traffic controller. During his training he was assigned as the Airman Leader for which he had the responsibility of being the “bay-chief” for his section of the dormitory. He also assisted in marching the flight to and from the schoolhouse. Sometime after beginning his training, he had problems with his now ex-fiancé and a possible foreclosure situation because she was not acting responsibly. Soon thereafter, he was informed by the Red Cross of his brother’s diagnosis of having cancer. As one can imagine, this added a great deal of unexpected stress. His mother was alone raising his two younger brothers because his step-father was deployed. After receiving counseling, he decided that his best option was to separate based on the potential negative outcome of his brother’s medical condition. He served for 186 days before being separated. He resumed being a firefighter, which he had been for almost 7 years before enlisting in the Air Force. He volunteers in his community as an emergency medical technician, which he did for almost 4 years prior to enlisting. He knows the meaning of service before self. His brother lost his battle with cancer in Dec 09. He was raised in a military environment and is proud of his father and step- father’s accomplishments while serving in the Air Force. He would like to have the chance to rejoin the Air Force. His step-father, a major in the Air Force, wrote a letter of support stating that the entire family was handling a tremendous shock of the applicant’s younger brother being diagnosed with cancer. The applicant’s complete submission, with attachment, is at Exhibit F. _________________________________________________________________ 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. We note that members separated from the Air Force are furnished an RE code predicated upon the quality of their service and circumstances of their separation. The evidence of record indicates the applicant was given an entry level separation for having a mental disorder. As a result, he was assigned an RE code of 2C. We took note of the supporting statement submitted on his behalf; however, the applicant has not provided sufficient evidence which would lead us to believe his entry level separation or character of service was improper or contrary to the provisions of the governing instruction, or the RE code was not appropriately assigned. In view of the foregoing, and in the absence of evidence to the contrary, we conclude that relief beyond that already granted administratively is not warranted. _________________________________________________________________ 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 AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2011-03996 in Executive Session on 26 Apr 12, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603: The following documentary evidence was considered: Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 6 Oct 11, w/atchs. Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Personnel Records. Exhibit C. Letter, AFPC/DPSOS, dated 23 Dec 11. Exhibit D. Letter, AFPC/DPSOA, dated 24 Jan 12. Exhibit E. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 1 Mar 12. Exhibit F. Letter, Applicant, dated 28 Mar 12, w/atch.