RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS

IN THE MATTER OF				DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2017-04615

XXXXXXXXXXXX					COUNSEL: NONE

							HEARING: NO 

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

His DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, issued 29 Sep 99 upon completion from Officer Training School (OTS), Item 24, Character of Service, be changed from Uncharacterized to Honorable.

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

The practice of characterizing all separations of service less than 180 days as “uncharacterized” does a disservice to Airmen who served honorably.  The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) does not allow military credit for any discharge that is uncharacterized, which effects leave computation and retirement benefits.  The applicant’s complete submission is at Exhibit A.

STATEMENT OF FACTS:

The applicant is an Air National Guard colonel.  

In accordance with AFI 36-3208, Administrative Separation of Airmen, Paragraph 1.19.1., Entry Level Separation, Airmen are in entry level status during the first 180 days of continuous active military service or the first 180 days of continuous active military service after a break of more than 92 days of active service.

In accordance with AFI 36-3202, Separation Documents, Table 4, How to Prepare DD Form 214, Rule 56, pertaining to Item 24, Character of Service, for airmen whose separation is described as entry level, enter uncharacterized.

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 applicant completed OTS in a period of less than 180 days.  Airmen are in entry level status during the first 180 days of continuous active military service.  The Department of Defense (DoD) determined if a member served less than 180 days continuous active service, it would be unfair to the member and the service to characterize their limited service.  There is no error or injustice with the discharge processing.  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 13 Aug 18 for comment (Exhibit D), but has received no response. 

THE BOARD CONCLUDES:

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 or 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:  

The applicant be informed that 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-2017-04615 in Executive Session on 18 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/atch, dated 26 Sep 17.
Exhibit B:  Documentary evidence, including relevant excerpts from official records.
Exhibit C:  Advisory opinion, AFPC/DP2STM, dated 2 Aug 18.
Exhibit D:  Notification of Advisory, SAF/MRBC to applicant, dated 13 Aug 18.

Taken together with all Exhibits, this document constitutes the true and complete Record of Proceedings required by AFI 36-2603, paragraph 4.11.9 regarding AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2017-04615.