RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2018-00630

	COUNSEL: NONE
	
	HEARING: NO

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

His uncharacterized discharge be changed to honorable.

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

He served to the best of his ability while in the military.  His uncharacterized service may have been established due to him not serving for 6 months that is required to receive an honorable discharge.  When he applied for homeowner’s insurance, he was informed that the insurance company had no idea what ‘uncharacterized’ meant and advised him to get it changed.  

The applicant’s complete submission is at Exhibit A.

STATEMENT OF FACTS:

On 2 Aug 16, the applicant entered active duty in the Regular Air Force.

On 12 Jan 17, the applicant’s commander notified him that he was recommending he be discharged under the provisions of AFPD 36-32, Military Retirements and Separations, and AFI 36-3208, Administrative Separation of Airmen, Chapter 5, Section 5B, Involuntary Convenience of the Government, paragraph 5.11.9.3.  The specific reasons for this action was the applicant was diagnosed as having an Adjustment Disorder with Mixed Anxiety and Depressed Mood (DSM-5). The applicant acknowledged receipt of the separation action, was afforded and declined the opportunity to consult with legal counsel and submit statements in his own behalf.  After a legal review, the case was found to be legally sufficient to support separation.  

On 18 Jan 17, the applicant received an entry-level separation (ELS) with a narrative reason for separation of  “Adjustment Disorder” after serving 5 months and 17 days of active service.

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 discharge was consistent with the procedural and substantive requirements of the discharge instruction and was within the discretion of the discharge authority. DP2STM found no evidence of an error or injustice in the discharge processing.  The narrative reason for separation and separation program designator (SPD) code are correct as indicated on the applicant’s DD Form 214.  The character of service is also correct as indicated on the DD Form 214. 

The Licensed Clinical Social Worker memorandum, dated 9 Dec 16, indicates the applicant had been evaluated and treated since 17 Nov 16. The report states the applicant’s prognosis for sustained and successful recovery while functioning in a military environment was poor.  The report concluded that given the stresses of military life, he was not expected to be able to reliably and continually perform his duties and that although he participated in an appropriate trial of treatment, there were minimal reductions in symptoms and persistent reactions to his stressors and separation was recommended.  Because of the report, discharge action was initiated.  

Airmen are given Entry-level separation/uncharacterized service characterization when separation is initiated in the first 180 days continuous active 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.  

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 19 Sep 18 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 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 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-2018-00630 in Executive Session on 24 Oct 18:

, 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 5 Feb 18.
Exhibit B:	Documentary evidence, including relevant excerpts from official records.
Exhibit C:	Advisory opinion, AFPC/DP2STM, dated 6 Mar 18.
Exhibit D:	Notification of Advisory, SAF/MRBC to applicant, dated 19 Sep 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 pertaining to Docket Number BC-2018-00630.