RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2012-02850 COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: YES _______________________________________________ ____________ APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: His narrative reason for separation, Reentry (RE) code, and separation program designator (SPD) code be changed so that he can be eligible to re-enlist. _______________________________________________ ____________ APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: His narrative reason for separation of “Personality Disorder” is incorrect. Since his separation, he has undergone personality and psychological exams/evaluations which indicate he is fit to be a police officer. The applicant’s complete submission, with attachment, is at Exhibit A. _____________________________________________________ _____ STATEMENT OF FACTS: The relevant facts pertaining to this application, extracted from the applicant’s military personnel records, are contained in the letters prepared by the appropriate offices of the Air Force, which are at Exhibits C and D. Therefore, there is no need to recite these facts in this record of proceedings. ____________________________________________________________ AIR FORCE EVALUATION: AFPC/DPSOR recommends the applicant’s narrative reason for separation and SPD code be corrected to “Secretarial Authority” and “KFF,” respectively. On 8 Jun 01, the applicant’s commander notified him that he was recommending him for discharge from the Air Force for a mental disorder. Specifically, the applicant was diagnosed as having an Adjustment Disorder with Anxiety. The applicant acknowledged receipt of the action and of his right to consult with legal counsel and submit statements on his own behalf. The action was found legally sufficient and the discharge authority directed the applicant be furnished an entry-level separation with uncharacterized service. Prior to 2003, the Services characterized all discharges due to a mental disorder under a blanket narrative reason of “Personality Disorder” and associated SPD code. However, this narrative reason and SPD code did not properly distinguish between the other mental disorders (adjustment disorder, impulse control disorder, etc.). Since then, the services have established more specific SPD identifiers to more clearly designate the type of mental disorder for which a member has been discharged. Therefore, the narrative reason for separation and SPD code should be changed. Notwithstanding the above, there is no basis to change the applicant’s RE code as his RE code of “2C” is associated with his entry-level separation with uncharacterized service. Airmen are issued an entry-level separation with uncharacterized service when the separation action is initiated within the first 180 days of active service. The Department of Defense determined that it would be unfair to the Department or the member to characterize their limited service when such service is less than 180 days. While the applicant’s narrative reason for separation and SPD code should be corrected, the board will have to make its own determination as to whether the documents provided by the applicant are sufficient to warrant his future re-entry into military service. A complete copy of the AFPC/DPSOR evaluation is at Exhibit C. AFPC/DPSOA recommends denial of the applicant’s request for his RE code to be changed. AFPC/DPSOR verified the applicant’s discharge processing and recommended a change of his narrative reason for separation; however, they do not recommend changing the applicant’s RE code as it was required in accordance with AFI 36-2606, Reenlistments in the USAF. There is no evidence or proof of an error or injustice in regards to his entry-level separation. A complete copy of the AFPC/DPSOA evaluation is at Exhibit D. _______________________________________________________ ____ APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: The applicant submitted copies of medical progress notes from a community medical center which outlined a health physical for military clearance and includes a recommendation indicating the applicant is healthy in body and mind for military training (Exhibit F). _________________________________________________________ __ 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 error or injustice with respect to the applicant’s request to change his Reentry (RE) code so that he may reenlist. After a thorough review of the evidence of record and the applicant’s complete submission, we are not convinced that his reentry code of 2C, which is associated with his entry-level separation with uncharacterized service, was issued erroneously. In this respect, we note the comments of AFPC/DPSOR indicating that Airmen are issued an entry-level separation with uncharacterized service when the separation action is initiated within the first 180 days of active service. Therefore, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, we find no basis upon which to recommend favorable consideration of this portion of his request. 4. Notwithstanding the above, sufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the existence of error or injustice warranting a correction of the applicant’s narrative reason for separation. We note that “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. While making such a correction to the applicant’s record will not result in the relief the applicant seeks, eligibility for reenlistment, we believe the noted correction constitutes full and fitting relief in this case. Accordingly, we recommend that his records be corrected to the extent indicated below. 5. 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 RECOMMENDS THAT: The pertinent military records of the Department of the United States Air Force relating to the APPLICANT be corrected to show that he was issued a narrative reason for separation of “Secretarial Authority” rather than “Personality Disorder,” and separation program designator (SPD) code of “KFF” rather than “JFX” in conjunction with his 14 June 2001 entry-level separation with uncharacterized service. __________________________________________________________ _ The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2012-02850 in Executive Session on 28 February 2013, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603: Panel Chair Member Member All members voted to correct the records as recommended. The following documentary evidence was considered: Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 14 July 2012, w/atchs. Exhibit B. Applicant’s Master Personnel Records. Exhibit C. Letter, AFPC/DPSOR, dated 22 August 2012. Exhibit D. Letter, AFPC/DPSOA, dated 27 September 2012. Exhibit E. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 11 October 2012. Exhibit F. Letter, Applicant, undated, w/atch.