RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2007-03840 INDEX CODE: 110.02 COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: NO ________________________________________________________________ _ APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: His DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, be amended to read “honorable, due to medical reasons” instead of “uncharacterized.” ________________________________________________________________ _ APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: He believes his problem with his right (dominant) hand constituted a medical discharge instead of an uncharacterized discharge. In support of his request, the applicant provided extracts of his Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) disability rating decision documents and a copy of his separation order. The applicant's complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A. ________________________________________________________________ _ STATEMENT OF FACTS: The applicant entered the Regular Air Force on 15 May 07 and served for a period of 1 month and 5 days. On 19 May 07, the applicant slipped and fell (due to a wet floor) as he was trying to rush out of the latrine while in basic training. He was seen at Wilford Hall Medical Center (WHMC). He returned to WHMC for further evaluation due to bruising and swelling each day from 20 to 22 May 07. On 22 May 07, the applicant was placed on medical hold and diagnosed with cellulitis. He was admitted to WHMC on 23 May 07, pending surgery. In the notification of pending discharge action, the commander cited failure to adapt to the military environment and reluctance to make the effort necessary to meet Air Force standards of conduct and duty performance as the reasons for recommending discharge. On 4 Jun 07, the applicant wrote a statement requesting discharge and stated he did not wish to complete his training. Additionally, in his request, he stated he had been briefed by the discharge “processor”, that he understood he would not be entitled to reenlist, that he would be discharged for performance, and that he would receive an entry-level separation with a reenlistment code of 4M, and that entry-level performance and conduct would be the reason entered on his DD Form 214. On 15 Jun 07, the applicant waived his right to consult counsel and submit statements in his own behalf. On 15 Jun 07, the discharge authority approved the applicant’s discharge and on 19 Jun 07 he was discharged with a voluntary uncharacterized entry-level separation for entry level performance and conduct. ________________________________________________________________ _ AIR FORCE EVALUATION: AFPC/DPSOS recommends denial. Based on documentation on file in the master personnel records, the discharge was consistent with the procedural and substantive requirements of the discharge regulation. The discharge was within the discretion of the discharge authority. The applicant did not submit any evidence or identify any error or injustices that occurred in the discharge processing. He provided no facts warranting a change to his discharge. DPSOS states that airmen are given entry-level separation and 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. Therefore, the applicant’s uncharacterized character of service is correct and in accordance with DoD and Air Force instructions. The complete AFPC/DPSOS evaluation is at Exhibit C. AFPC/DPSD recommends denial. On 4 Jun 07, the applicant requested to be separated from the Air Force. DPSD states that there was not enough evidence to indicate if the applicant would have required a medical board under the authority of AFI 35- 3212, Physical Evaluation for Retention, Retirement, and Separation, for his condition to be referred into the Disability Evaluation System. Therefore, the member’s condition did not rise to a level to qualify for a medical discharge. The complete AFPC/DPSD evaluation is at Exhibit D. ________________________________________________________________ _ APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: Copies of the Air Force evaluations were forwarded to the applicant on 11 Jan 08 for review and comment within 30 days (Exhibit E). As of this date, this office has not received a response. ________________________________________________________________ _ THE BOARD CONCLUDES THAT: 1. The applicant has exhausted all remedies provided by existing law or regulations. 2. The application was timely filed. 3. Insufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the existence of error or injustice. We took notice of the applicant's complete submission in judging the merits of the case; however, we agree with the opinions and recommendations of the Air Force offices of primary responsibility and adopt their rationale as the basis for our conclusion that the applicant has not been the victim of an error or injustice. Therefore, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, we find no compelling basis to recommend granting the relief sought in this application. ________________________________________________________________ _ THE BOARD DETERMINES THAT: The applicant be notified that the evidence presented did not demonstrate the existence of material error or injustice; that the application was denied without a personal appearance; and that the application will only be reconsidered upon the submission of newly discovered relevant evidence not considered with this application. ________________________________________________________________ _ The following members of the Board considered Docket Number BC- 2007-03840 in Executive Session on 28 February 2008, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603: XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX, Panel Chair XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX, Member XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX, Member The following documentary evidence was considered for Docket Number BC-2007-03840: Exhibit A. DD Form 149, w/atchs, dated 20 Nov 07. Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Personnel Records. Exhibit C. AFPC/DPSOS Memorandum, dated 14 Dec 07. Exhibit D. AFPC/DPSD Memorandum, date 19 Dec 07. Exhibit E. SAF/MRBR Letter, dated 11 Jan 08. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX Panel Chair