RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2022-00172

XXXXXXXXXXXXXX	COUNSEL: NONE
	
	HEARING REQUESTED: YES

APPLICANT’S REQUEST

His DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, effective 1 Oct 04, Block 23, TYPE OF SEPARATION, be changed from “Release” to “RCC,” indicating a reduction in force.     

APPLICANT’S CONTENTIONS

His discharge was based on a planned reduction in force, under the provision of the Air Force Shaping Program, Phase II.  Due to a clerical error, his DD Form 214 incorrectly reflects TYPE OF SEPARATION as “Release.”  This error prohibits him obtaining a VA Home Loan.  

The applicant’s complete submission is at Exhibit A.

STATEMENT OF FACTS

The applicant is a former Air Force airman first class (E-3).

On 24 Jun 03, according to DD Form 4, Enlistment/Reenlistment Document – Armed Forces of the United States, the applicant entered the Regular Air Force.

On 7 Jun 04, according to documentation (AF Form 31, Airman’s Request For Early Separation/Separation Based On Change In Service Obligation) submitted by the applicant, he voluntarily applied to separate under FY04 Force Shaping Phase II.  

On 14 Jun 04, the Unit Commander endorsed the applicant’s request recommending approval, and on 28 Jun 04, the Separation Authority recommended approval.  

On 1 Oct 04, the applicant was honorably discharged, and assigned to the Air Reserve Personnel Center (ARPC), Individual Ready Reserve (IRR). 

On 23 Jun 11, the applicant was honorable discharged from the Air Force Reserve.  

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

AIR FORCE EVALUATION

AFPC/DP2SSR recommends denying the application.  On 1 Oct 04, the applicant was voluntarily discharged under the provisions of AFI 36-3208, Enlisted Separation of Airmen, and MPFM 04-35, Air Force Shaping Program, Phase II; (Miscellaneous/General Reasons) with an honorable service characterization, having served 1 year, 3 months, and 8 days of active service.  One of the programs the Air Force used in order to reduce the number of personnel in order to meet Department of Defense (DoD) directed end strength quotas was the Limited Active Duty Service Commitment (LADSC) Waiver Program.  The program allowed enlisted Airmen to request to voluntarily retire or separate prior to completing specified Active Duty Service Commitments.  Personnel who chose to apply for voluntary separation were required to do so under the Miscellaneous provision of AFI 36-3208. para 3.15.  Approved applicants were issued a DD Form 214 reflecting the TYPE OF SEPARATION as “Release”, NARRATIVE REASON FOR SEPARATION as “Miscellaneous/General Reasons”, and corresponding SPD code of “MND”.  Additionally, applicants approved for early separation had remaining Military Service Obligation (MSO) that they still needed to complete in the Individual Ready Reserve (IRR).  This is why the applicant’s DD Form 214, Block 23_TYPE OF SEPARATION reflects “Release” vs. “Discharge”.  There is no error or injustice with the discharge processing or the completion of the applicant’s DD Form 214.

The complete advisory opinion is at Exhibit C.

APPLICANT’S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION

The Board sent a copy of the advisory opinion to the applicant on 1 Jul 22 for comment (Exhibit D), but has received no response.

FINDINGS AND CONCLUSION

1.  The application was timely filed.

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 not the victim of an error or injustice.  The Board concurs with the rationale and recommendation of AFPC/DP2SSR and finds a preponderance of the evidence does not substantiate the applicant’s contentions.  Therefore, the Board recommends against correcting the applicant’s records.

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 Board recommends informing the applicant the evidence did not demonstrate material error or injustice, and the Board will reconsider the application only upon receipt of relevant evidence not already presented.

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-2022-00172 in Executive Session on 30 Aug 22:

, Panel Chair 
, Panel Member
, Panel Member

All members voted against correcting the record.  The panel considered the following:

Exhibit A:	Application, DD Form 149, w/atchs, dated 31 Aug 21.
Exhibit B:	Documentary evidence, including relevant excerpts from official records.
Exhibit C:	Advisory Opinion, AFPC/DP2SSR, dated 25 Jan 22.
Exhibit D:	Notification of Advisory, SAF/MRBC to Applicant, dated 1 Jul 22.

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.