RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2013-00152 COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: NO ________________________________________________________________ _ APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: 1. His uncharacterized discharge be upgraded to honorable. 2. His narrative reason for separation of “Adjustment Disorder” be changed. 3. His reentry (RE) code of “2C” (Involuntarily separated with an honorable discharge; or entry level separation without characterization of service) be changed in order for him to reenter the military. ________________________________________________________________ _ APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: 1. He made a gravely foolish error by inflicting harm to himself, but he assures the Board that this will never happen again. He has learned from his mistakes. He provides letters of support from various sources to prove that he does not have a troubled mind or broken past, further reinforcing his claim of being a victim of a one-time debacle. 2. A large part of why he received an uncharacterized discharge was because he did not have any military experience that he could relate to and the culture shock overwhelmed him. However, if he is given the opportunity to reenlist, he will prove to be an asset for the Air Force and not only complete the tasks that are assigned, but excel in all of them. He is physically more apt to handle the conditions of a military environment and is mentally ready for the challenge. In support of his request, the applicant provides a copy of his DD Form 293, Application for the Review of Discharge from the Armed Forces of the United States, a copy of his DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, a personal statement, and copies of letters of support. His complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A. ________________________________________________________________ _ STATEMENT OF FACTS: The applicant enlisted into the Regular Air Force on 24 Jul 12. The applicant was discharged under the provisions of AFPD 36-32 and AFI 36-3208, Administrative Separation of Airmen, and paragraph 5-11, Conditions that Interfere with Military Service, specifically, paragraph 5.11.9, under Mental Disorders. The applicant acknowledged receipt of the discharge notification. He was advised of his right to consult with legal counsel and to submit statements in his own behalf. He received an entry-level discharge, a narrative reason for separation of “Adjustment Disorder”, and a RE code of “2C” after serving 24 days on active duty. The remaining relevant facts pertaining to this application are contained in the letters prepared by the appropriate offices of the Air Force, which is at Exhibit C, D, and E. ________________________________________________________________ _ AIR FORCE EVALUATION: AETC/SGPS states the applicant could be considered for a waiver to reenter the military should he be reevaluated and cleared by a mental health professional. The applicant’s medical records note that he had a previous history of cutting in the past. The applicant stated he understood the diagnoses and treatment plan and subsequently was processed for an entry-level separation. The complete SGPS evaluation is at Exhibit C. AFPC/DPSOR recommends denial. The applicant was referred to the Behavioral Analysis Service (BAS) on 13 Aug 02 for cutting himself due to increased stress. The applicant reported he failed to correctly answer his study work questions and then felt like a “Failure to the flight and he let everybody down.” After he thought about the situation, he decided to cut himself with his nail clippers to “relieve the stress”. He states that he cut himself one time; no blood or scarring was involved. He denies any pre-service of other in-service history of self- mutilator behavior and denies any suicide thoughts. The governing instruction indicates that a history of self- mutilation is disqualifying for military service. The applicant was recommended for an entry-level separation due to having inadequate stress coping skills. The issue of a waiver from AETC/SG was discussed with the applicant, but he declined pursing the waiver request. Based on the documentation on file in the applicant’s records, the discharge to include 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 DPSOR evaluation is at Exhibit D. AFPC/DPSOA recommends denying the applicant’s request to change his RE code. The applicant does not provide any evidence of an error or injustice with regard to his RE code. The complete DPSOA evaluation is at Exhibit E. ________________________________________________________________ _ APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: Copies of the Air Force evaluations were forwarded to the applicant on 31 Mar 13 for review and comment within 30 days. 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 timely filed. 3. Insufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the existence of an error or injustice to warrant a change to his discharge or reentry (RE) code. We took notice of the applicant's complete submission in judging the merits of the case; however, we agree with the opinion and recommendation of the Air Force offices of primary responsibility that the characterization of his discharge and RE code which was assigned at the time of his separation accurately reflects the circumstances of his separation and evidence has not been provided that would lead us to believe otherwise. Therefore, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, we find no compelling basis to recommend granting the relief sought in this portion of the application. 4. Notwithstanding the above, sufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the existence of an injustice that warrants a change to the narrative reason and corresponding SPD code. 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 “Adjustment Disorder” and therefore, recommend his records be corrected to the extent indicated below. However, we advise the applicant to seek clearance from a mental health professional so he may possibly be considered for a waiver to reenter military service. ________________________________________________________________ _ THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT: The pertinent military records of the Department of the Air Force relating to APPLICANT be corrected to show that on 17 August 2012, he was discharged under the provisions of AFI 36- 3208, paragraph 1.2, (Secretarial Authority) with Separation Program Designator (SPD) Code of KFF. ________________________________________________________________ _ The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2013-00152 in Executive Session on 24 Sep 13, 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 31 Dec 12, w/atchs. Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Personnel Records. Exhibit C. Letter, AETC/SGPS, dated 18 Jan 13. Exhibit D. Letter, AFPC/DPSOR, dated 25 Feb 13. Exhibit E. Letter, AFPC/DPSOA, dated 20 Mar 13. Exhibit F. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 31 Mar 13. 1 2