RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2022-01405

XXXXXXXXXX	COUNSEL: NONE

	HEARING REQUESTED: NO	

APPLICANT’S REQUEST

His DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, from 17 April 2006 to 6 July 2006, block 24, Character of Service, be changed to honorable.  

APPLICANT’S CONTENTIONS

His character of service prevents him from crediting time toward civilian service for retirement purposes.  His DD Form 214, spanning from 7 July 2006 to 5 November 2008, and all subsequent DD Forms 214 list honorable characterizations of service.  His service during the contested time period was exemplary as he graduated Officer Training School (OTS) as a distinguished graduate and proceeded to serve as an officer in the Air Force Reserve, even to this day.  He did not realize until recently the nature of the characterization and its harmful effects.  This significantly effects his future retirement benefits.

The applicant’s complete submission is at Exhibit A.

STATEMENT OF FACTS

The applicant is a currently serving Air Force Reserve major (O-4).

According to AF IMT 938, Request and Authorization for Active Duty Training/Active Duty Tour, the applicant, a staff sergeant (E-5), was ordered to OTS.

On 6 July 2006, according to DD Form 214, the applicant was released from active duty and he received an “Uncharacterized” character of service and was credited with 2 months and 20 days of active service.  The Narrative Reason for Separation reflects “Completion of Required Active Duty – Training.” 

On 7 July 2006, according to XXX, the applicant was appointed as a Reserve of the Air Force to the rank of second lieutenant.

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

APPLICABLE AUTHORITY/GUIDANCE

DoDI 1336.01, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty (DD Form 214/5 Series). The Department of Defense authorizes six characterizations of service for military service members to receive on discharge: (1) Honorable; (2) Under Honorable Conditions (General); (3) Under Other than Honorable Conditions; (4) Bad Conduct; (5) Dishonorable, and (6) Uncharacterized. 

DODI 1332.14, Enlisted Administrative Separations.  A separation will be described as an entry level separation if separation processing is initiated while an enlisted service member is in entry level status (180 days continuous active duty).

Air Force Regulation 39-10 Administrative Separation of Airmen, dated 1 October 1984.  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. Individuals in an entry level status will separate without service characterization.  The member's status is determined by the date of notification; thus, if the member is in entry level status when initiating the separation action, describe it as an entry level separation unless:  (1) A service characterization of under other than honorable conditions is authorized under the reason for discharge and is warranted by the circumstances of the case; or (2) The Secretary of the Air Force determines, on a case-by-case basis, that characterization as honorable is clearly warranted by unusual circumstances of personal conduct and performance of military duty.  The separation authority will forward a recommendation for an honorable characterization to HQ AFMPC/MPCAKE, Randolph AFB TX 78150-6001, for review and further processing.  Uncharacterized service is used if the reason for separation is completion of officer training in accordance with paragraph 2-11.

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 finds a preponderance of the evidence does not substantiate the applicant’s contentions.  In accordance with governing instructions, the applicant’s service for the period 17 April 2006 to 6 July 2006, is properly characterized as “uncharacterized” since he served less than 180 days continuous active service.  Therefore, the Board recommends against correcting the applicant’s records.

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-2022-01405 in Executive Session on 30 August 2022:

, Chair, AFBCMR 
, 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 19 May 2022.
Exhibit B:	Documentary evidence, including relevant excerpts from official records.

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.