RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2017-02896

XXXXX X. XXXXXX	COUNSEL: NONE

	HEARING: NO

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

His DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, dated 5 May 2017, be corrected to reflect in blocks 4a and 4b the grade of Senior Airman (SrA) and E-4.

His Separation Program Designator be changed from SEJ to SFJ.

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

After doing some research he believes the separation code SEJ is not a good separation code.  The applicant’s complete submission is at Exhibit A.

STATEMENT OF FACTS:

The applicant entered active duty in the Regular Air Force on 3 Apr 07.

On 5 May 17, the applicant was retired from active duty, in the grade of Airman (E-2), with an honorable character of service.  The narrative reason of separation was “disability, permanent (enhanced)”.  The applicant’s separation code was “SEJ”, which represents “mandatory retirement resulting from permanent physical disability IDES”.  He was credited with ten years, one month and three days of active service for this specified period of time.

Air Force Form 356, Findings and Recommended Disposition of USAF Physical Evaluation Board, dated 16 Nov 16, recommended the applicant be permanently retired with a combined compensable percentage of forty.

Department of the Air Force, Special Order No. ACD-02112, dated 1 May 17, reflects the applicant was permanently disability retired effective 6 May 17 in the grade of Senior Airman (E-4) with compensable disability for physical disability of forty percent.    

For more information, see the excerpt of the applicant’s record at Exhibit B and the advisory at Exhibit C.  

AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

AFPC/DP2STM recommends denying the application.  The DD Form 214 was published for the period of active duty ending 5 May 2017.  Effective 6 May 2017, the applicant was retired in the grade of SrA/E-4 (as reflected on the retirement order); authorizing retirement in a projected grade the applicant would have worn if not for the disability that led to the separation from active service.  On 5 May 2017, the applicant left active service in the grade of Airman/E2 and the DD Form 214 accurately reflects that grade and pay grade.  Governing directives, DoDI 1336.01, AFI 36-3202, and USAF policy do not authorize the entry of projected grade or one with an effective date outside the date range for which the document is prepared.  The applicant was retired and promoted to the grade of SrA on 6 May 2017.  The source document for the retired grade of SrA is the retirement order.  The DD Form 214 records the last grade held on active duty; airman.

Addressing the applicant’s claim that “SEJ” is not a separation code; the AFPC Transitions office has confirmed this is a valid code from the Separation Program Designator (SPD) listing.  The complete advisory is at Exhibit C.

APPLICANT’S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

The Board sent a copy of the Air Force evaluation to the applicant on 12 July 2018 for comment (Exhibit D), but has received no response.

THE BOARD CONCLUDES THAT:

1.  The application was timely filed.

2.  The applicant exhausted all available avenues of non-judicial relief before applying to the Board.

3.  After thoroughly reviewing all Exhibits, it is the Board’s opinion that the applicant is not the victim of an error and injustice.  The Board concurs with the rationale and recommendation of AFPC/DP2STM and finds that a preponderance of the evidence does not substantiate the applicant’s contentions.  Therefore, the Board recommends against correcting the applicant’s records.

THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT:

The applicant be informed the evidence did not demonstrate material error or injustice, and the application will only be reconsidered upon receipt of relevant evidence not already considered by the Board.

CERTIFICATION:

The following quorum of the Board, as defined in Air Force Instruction (AFI) 36-2603, Air Force Board for Correction of Military Records (AFBCMR), paragraph 1.5, considered Docket Number BC-2017-02896 in Executive Session on 25 Sep 18:

Panel Chair
Panel Member
Panel Member

All members voted not to correct the record.  The panel considered the following:

Exhibit A:	Application, DD Form 149, w/atchs, dated 23 June 2017.
Exhibit B:	Documentary evidence, including relevant excerpts from official records.
Exhibit C:	Advisory opinion, AFPC/DP2STM, dated 11 July 2018.
Exhibit D:	Letter, AFBCMR to applicant, dated 12 July 2018.

Taken together with all Exhibits, this document constitutes the true and complete Record of Proceedings required by AFI 36-2603, paragraph 4.11.9.