RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2014-01864 COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: NO ________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: 1. His Reentry (RE) code of “2C” (Involuntarily separated with an honorable discharge; or entry level separation without characterization of service) be changed. 2. His separation code of “JHJ” be changed. (The applicant’s separation code JHJ actually denotes “Unsatisfactory Performance;” however, his DD Form 214 erroneously reflects “Conditions Not a Disability.” ________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: He was medically eliminated from technical training school due to a migraine headache. He was given the option to separate or retrain and he chose to separate based on the understanding that he would be allowed to serve in the Air Force Reserves (AFRES) or the Air National Guard (ANG). The applicant’s complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A. ________________________________________________________________ STATEMENT OF FACTS: According to the applicant’s DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, on 7 May 13, he enlisted in the Regular Air Force. On 31 Mar 14, the applicant was notified by his commander of his intent to recommend his discharge from the Air Force for Unsatisfactory Performance: “Failure to Progress in Military Training Required to be Qualified for Service with Air Force or for Performance of Primary Duties.” The reason for the action was the applicant was medically disqualified and removed from Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape (SERE) training. The applicant acknowledged receipt of the action and waived his right to consult counsel and submit statements in his behalf. On 8 Apr 14, the applicant’s case was found to be legally sufficient and on 11 Apr 14, the discharge authority approved the commander’s recommendation, directing the applicant’s administrative discharge without probation and rehabilitation. On 21 Apr 14, the applicant was discharged with the correct SPD code of “JHJ” which denotes “Unsatisfactory Performance;” however, the corresponding narrative reason for separation incorrectly reflects “Conditions Not Disability.” His RE code is 2C is which denotes “Involuntarily separated with an honorable discharge or entry level separation without characterization of service.” He was credited with 11 months and 15 days of total active service. ________________________________________________________________ AIR FORCE EVALUATION: AFPC/DPSOR recommends denial of the applicant’s request to change his separation code and RE code, indicating there is no evidence of an error or injustice. Based on the documentation on file in the master personnel records, the discharge was appropriately administered and within the discretion of the discharge authority. However, the Board may direct a fix to the applicant’s narrative reason for separation. A review of the documentation contained in the applicant’s file indicates that prior to the discharge recommendation; his commander had several discussions with the applicant regarding the importance of reclassifying into another career field. The applicant refused to accept training and requested to be discharged. The commander indicated that the applicant had shown no interest in remaining in the Air Force and found his refusal to retrain severely impacted his ability to serve on active duty. Therefore, the SPD code is correct but the narrative reason for separation should be changed to reflect “Unsatisfactory Performance” since this is the definition of the SPD code and the discharge authority’s intent. The complete DPSOR evaluation is at Exhibit C. AFPC/DPSOA did not make a recommendation, however; agreed with the applicant that his RE code of 2C is not correct. AFPC/DPSOY will provide the applicant a corrected copy of his DD Form 214 with an RE code of 3A which denotes (First-term Airman [involuntarily separated] (entry-level) for inability to satisfactorily progress in a required training program without characterization of service; or a first-term Airman [involuntarily separated] for failure to progress in military training required to be qualified for service with the Air Force or for performance of primary duties). Based on the discharge authority’s letter, dated 11 Apr 14, the applicant was involuntarily discharged for “Failure to Progress in Military Training Required to be Qualified for Service with Air Force or for Performance of Primary Duties.” Therefore, the correct RE code is “3A.” 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 11 Aug 14 for review and comment within 30 days. As of this date, no response has been received by this office (Exhibit E). ________________________________________________________________ THE BOARD CONCLUDES THAT: 1. The applicant has exhausted all remedies provided by existing law or regulations. 2. The application was timely filed. 3. Sufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the existence of an error or injustice. After a thorough review of the evidence of record and the applicant’s complete submission it appears the applicant was assigned the correct SPD of “JHJ.” However, his narrative reason for separation of “Conditions Not a Disability” was erroneously recorded on his DD Form 214 and does not accurately reflect the circumstances surrounding his separation. We note that the AFPC/DPSOR recommends changing his narrative reason for separation to “Unsatisfactory Performance” to match the corresponding SPD code and reflect the discharge authority’s intent. However, we believe changing the applicant’s record in this manner would be considered detrimental to the applicant. Therefore, we recommend correcting the applicant’s narrative reason for separation and corresponding separation code to “JFF” which denotes “Secretarial Authority.” We note that DPSOY will provide the applicant a corrected copy of his DD Form 214 with an RE code of “3A” and we agree. Accordingly, we recommend his records be corrected as indicated below. ________________________________________________________________ THE BOARD RECOMMENDS: The pertinent military records of the Department of the Air Force relating to APPLICANT, be corrected to show that on 21 Apr 14, he was discharged with a narrative reason for separation of “Secretarial Authority,” separation code of code “JFF.” ________________________________________________________________ The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2014-01864 in Executive Session on 11 Feb 15, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603: , Panel Chair , Member , Member All members voted to correct the record as recommended. The following documentary evidence was considered: Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 30 Apr 14, w/atchs. Exhibit B. Applicant's Available Master Personnel Records. Exhibit C. Letter, AFPC/DPSOR, dated 29 May 14. Exhibit D. Letter, AFPC/DPSOA, dated 23 Jun 14. Exhibit E. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 11 Aug 14. 4