RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2019-04002

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX	COUNSEL: NONE

	HEARING REQUESTED: YES

APPLICANT’S REQUEST

Her narrative reason for separation in Item 28 of her DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, listed as Personality Disorder be removed.

APPLICANT’S CONTENTIONS

The primary diagnosis in her military medical records pertaining to her discharge is adjustment disorder with mixed disturbance of emotions and conduct, not personality disorder, unspecified.  The entry in the narrative reason for separation on her DD Form 214 is not a narrative.  It simply identifies a secondary mental health diagnosis.  It is an error and is unjust.  Disclosure of this information on her DD Form 214 is a violation of her rights as outlined in the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act.  She is often asked to provide her DD Form 214 to potential employers and it is unfair for this sensitive health information to be disclosed on the DD Form 214.  She would like the narrative reason for separation to be left blank or changed to an entry that does not reveal her personal and private health information.

The applicant’s complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A.

STATEMENT OF FACTS

The applicant is an honorably discharged Air Force airman first class (E-3).

On 26 Apr 02, the applicant was notified of her commander’s intent to recommend that she be discharged from the Air Force under the provisions of AFPD 36-32, Military Retirements and Separations and AFI 36-3208, Administrative Separation of Airmen, for a condition that interferes with military service, specifically, a mental disorder.  The commander recommended the applicant’s discharge be characterized as honorable.

On 26 Apr 02, the applicant acknowledged receipt of the discharge notification and after consulting with counsel, she waived her right to submit statements on her behalf.

On 3 May 02, the staff judge advocate found the discharge action legally sufficient and recommended the applicant be separated with an honorable discharge characterization.  The discharge authority approved the recommendation on 6 May 02.

On 9 May 02, the applicant was discharged with an honorable character of service.  Her narrative reason for separation was Personality Disorder.  She was credited with one year, three months, and eight days of total active service.

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

AIR FORCE EVALUATION

AFPC/DP2STM recommends denying the application.  There is no error or injustice with the discharge processing.  The record shows the applicant was diagnosed by the mental health clinic for conditions so severe that her ability to function in a military environment was not possible.  Documentation in the record shows that the applicant was diagnosed with both Adjustment Disorder and Personality Disorder.  The applicant provided documentation that also indicates that she was being “recommended for administrative separation secondary to personality disorder by her outpatient provider.”  Although the base discharge authority utilized the overall paragraph of Mental Disorders, the subparagraph of Personality Disorder appears to be the reason given.  Since only one narrative reason can be placed on the DD Form 214, Personality Disorder was elected.  The Board can determine if Adjustment Disorder is the more appropriate narrative reason to use.  In addition, leaving the narrative reason for separation blank is not an option and must be listed in clear text on the DD Form 214.  Furthermore, the verbiage used in the narrative reason for separation is generic and not considered in violation of any privacy act or health laws.

The complete advisory opinion is at Exhibit C.

The AFBCMR Psychiatric Advisor finds sufficient evidence to warrant the desired change of the record.  At the present time, the military has become more acutely sensitive to the language used on the DD Form 214 and its effect on future employers.  To that extent, the mental health diagnosis is no longer used for the narrative reason.  “Secretarial Authority” is used in its place.  The Psychiatric Advisor opines that the applicant’s request can be granted.  Instead of Personality Disorder, the narrative reason can be changed to “Secretarial Authority.”

The complete advisory opinion is at Exhibit D.

APPLICANT’S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION

The Board sent a copy of the advisory opinion to the applicant on 30 Apr 20 for comment (Exhibit E), but has received no response.

FINDINGS AND CONCLUSION

1.  The application was not timely filed, but it is in the interest of justice to excuse the delay.

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

3.  After reviewing all Exhibits, the Board concludes the applicant is the victim of an error or injustice.  The Board concurs with the rationale and recommendation of AFBCMR Psychiatric Advisor and finds a preponderance of the evidence substantiates the applicant’s contentions.  Therefore, the Board recommends correcting the applicant’s records as indicated below.

4.  The applicant has not shown a personal appearance, with or without counsel, would materially add to the Board’s understanding of the issues involved.

RECOMMENDATION

The pertinent military records of the Department of the Air Force relating to the APPLICANT be corrected to show the DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, issued in conjunction with her 9 May 2002 discharge, be amended to read “JFF” in Block 26, Separation Code, and “Secretarial Authority” in Block 28, Narrative Reason for Separation.

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-2019-04002 in Executive Session on 20 May 20:

, Panel Chair
, Panel Member
, Panel Member

All members voted to correct the record.  The panel considered the following:

Exhibit A:	Application, DD Form 149, w/atchs, dated 5 Aug 19.
Exhibit B:	Documentary evidence, including relevant excerpts from official records.
Exhibit C:	Advisory opinion, AFPC/DP2STM, dated 22 Aug 19.
Exhibit D:	Advisory opinion, AFBCMR Psychiatric Advisor, dated 27 Aug 19.
Exhibit E:	Notification of advisory, SAF/MRBC to applicant, sent 30 Apr 20.

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