RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2009-00261 COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: NO _________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: 1. His uncharacterized character of service be changed to entry- level separation. 2. His narrative reason for separation be changed to reflect Secretarial Authority rather than Personality Disorder. 3. His separation code of JFX (Personality Disorder) be changed. 4. His Reentry (RE) Code of 2C (Involuntarily separated with an honorable discharge; or entry-level separation without characterization of service) be changed. _________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: His narrative reason is improper as it does not accurately reflect the circumstances of his separation, nor is it a valid diagnosis. He fell physically ill during basic military training (BMT) with symptoms of extensive vomiting, including blood in the stomach discharge, and fatigue. A diagnosis of the source of this illness was not completed by Air Force medical personnel. In support of his request, the applicant provided copies of college transcripts, performance evaluations and copies of service medical records. The applicant’s complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A. _________________________________________________________________ STATEMENT OF FACTS: The applicant enlisted in the Regular Air Force on 16 March 1995. On 29 March 1995, the applicant was notified by his commander of his intent to recommend that he be discharged from the Air Force under the provisions of AFI 36-3208, chapter 5, section B, paragraph 5.11.1. The specific reason was the applicant's diagnosis by the Department of Mental Health, Wilford Hall Medical Center, as having a mental disorder as contained in the Diagnostic and Statistical manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV). It was determined this condition interfered with duty performance and conduct and was severe enough that his ability to function in the military was significantly impaired. The diagnosis was Adjustment Disorder with anxiety. He was advised of his rights in this matter and acknowledged receipt of the notification on that same date. The applicant elected to waive his right to legal counsel and elected not to submit statements on his own behalf. In a legal review of the case file, it was recommended the applicant be separated from the service with an entry-level separation. On 4 April 1995, the applicant was separated with an entry-level separation. He served 19 days on active duty. _________________________________________________________________ AIR FORCE EVALUATION: AFPC/DPSOS recommends changing the applicant's Separation Program Designator (SPD) code to accurately reflect his diagnosis of an Adjustment Disorder. Therefore, his code should reflect KFF rather than JFX. His narrative reason for separation should be corrected to reflect "Secretarial Authority." DPSOS recommends denial of his request to change his RE code. DPSOS states prior to 2003, the services characterized all separatees discharged due to a mental disorder under a blanket SPD code "JFX" with a narrative reason of "Personality Disorder." The SPD code and narrative reason did not properly distinguish the other mental disorder (adjustment disorder, impulse control disorder or other disorders) for which a service member could be separated. In December 2003, the services met with OSD and requested the establishment of additional, more specific SPD identifiers to more clearly designate the type of mental disorders as defined above. On 21 September 2004, OSD released the updated standardized SPD codes including the additional codes for the more specific mental disorders. Airman are given entry-level separation/uncharacterized service characterization when separation is initiated in the first 180 days of continuous active service. Therefore, his character of service and RE code is correct. The DPSOS complete evaluation is at Exhibit C. AFPC/DPSOA recommends denial of the applicant's request for change in RE code. DPSOA states the applicant did not provide any evidence to support an error or injustice. RE code 2C is the only authorized RE code for members who receive an entry-level separation with an uncharacterized character of service. The DPSOA complete evaluation is at Exhibit D. The AFBCMR Medical Consultant recommends granting the applicant partial relief by changing the narrative reason for discharge to Secretarial Authority, but with no change in his uncharacterized service characterization, and no change in RE code. The AFBCMR Medical Consultant states an Adjustment Disorder need not be a lifelong diagnostic label for the applicant, as the condition is recognized for its resolution after removal of the source of the maladaptive behavior. The applicant's post-service accomplishments attests to his adjustment to civilian life, as shown by his consistently high performance management results over an extended period (as shown on 2003 through 2007 performance reports). The applicant has also excelled in undergraduate and graduate studies. However, the AFBCMR Medical Consultant opines that a formal psychiatric evaluation reflecting either resolution of the applicant's Adjustment Disorder or an indication that he has "no diagnosis" under Axis 1 or Axis II would be appropriate before consideration of a change in his RE code. On the other hand, in regard to the applicant's contentions, the Medical Consultant found no evidence of a medical ailment that warranted further evaluation and treatment or one that should have been an alternative basis for career termination. The AFBCMR Medical Consultant's complete evaluation is at Exhibit E. _________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: On 10 July 2009, copies of the Air Force evaluations were forwarded to the applicant for review and comment within 30 days (Exhibit F). As of this date, this office has received no response. _________________________________________________________________ THE BOARD CONCLUDES THAT: 1. The applicant has exhausted all remedies provided by existing law or regulations. 2. The application was not timely filed; however, it is in the interest of justice to excuse the failure to timely file. 3. Insufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the existence of an error or injustice. After carefully reviewing the evidence of record, we are not persuaded that the applicant’s uncharacterized entry-level separation and RE code should be changed. Therefore, we agree with the opinions and recommendations of the 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. In the absence of evidence to the contrary, we find no compelling basis to recommend granting this portion of the applicant's request. 4. Notwithstanding the above, sufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the existence of an error or injustice warranting a change in the narrative reason for separation and corresponding SPD code. We note that the discharge action taken against the applicant was in accordance with the applicable instruction. However, after reviewing the applicant’s request and the evidence of record, we find the narrative reason for his entry-level separation, “Personality Disorder,” to be inappropriate. We believe that since the applicant was never diagnosed with a personality disorder, it is inaccurate to list his narrative reason for separation as such. Therefore, we agree with the opinions and recommendations of the Air Force offices of primary responsibility and the BCMR Medical Consultant and recommend the applicant’s narrative reason for separation and the corresponding SPD code be changed to reflect “Secretarial Authority” and “KFF” respectively. _________________________________________________________________ THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT: The pertinent military records of the Department of the Air Force relating to APPLICANT, be corrected to show that on 4 April 1995, he was discharged under the provisions of AFI 36-3208, paragraph 1-2, (Secretarial Authority) with a Separation Program Designator (SPD) Code of KFF. _________________________________________________________________ The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2009-00261 in Executive Session on 8 October 2009, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603: , Panel Chair , Member , Member The following documentary evidence pertaining to AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2009-00261 was considered: Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 4 February 2009, w/atchs. Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Personnel Record. Exhibit C. Letter, AFPC/DPSOS, dated 8 April 2009. Exhibit D. Letter, AFPC/DPSOA, dated 8 May 2009. Exhibit E. Letter, AFBCMR Medical Consultant, dated 7 July 2009. Exhibit F. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 10 July 2009. Panel Chair AFBCMR BC-2009-00261 MEMORANDUM FOR THE CHIEF OF STAFF Having received and considered the recommendation of the Air Force Board for Correction of Military Records and under the authority of Section 1552, Title 10, United States Code (70A Stat 116), it is directed that: The pertinent military records of the Department of the Air Force relating to APPLICANT be corrected to show that on 4 April 1995, he was discharged under the provisions of AFI 36-3208, paragraph 1-2, (Secretarial Authority) with a Separation Program Designator (SPD) Code of KFF. Director Air Force Review Boards Agency