RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2009-00739 COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: NO _________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: His reentry code of "2C" (Involuntarily separated with an honorable discharge; or entry-level separation without characterization of service) be changed to a code that would allow him to reenlist. _________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: He believes his record to be in error or unjust because the staff who processed his separation did not understand his situation and overlooked major details. Several attempts were made to explain and correct the situation through his chain of command in hopes of being given a second chance; however, he was discharged with a 2C RE code. In support of his request, the applicant provides a personal statement and a copy of a medical report. The applicant’s complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A. _________________________________________________________________ STATEMENT OF FACTS: The applicant enlisted in the Regular Air Force on 4 September 2007. On 21 September 2007, the applicant was notified by his commander of his intent to recommend that he be discharged from the Air Force under the provisions of AFPD 36-32 and AFI 36-3208, Chapter 5, Section 5B, Involuntary Convenience of the Government, paragraph 5.11. 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). The Department of Mental Health, Wilford Hall Medical Center determined this condition interfered with duty performance and conduct and was severe enough that his ability to function in the military was significantly impaired. He was advised of his rights in this matter and acknowledged receipt of the notification on that same date. The applicant waived his rights to consult with counsel and elected not to submit statements on his own behalf. In a legal review of the case file, the assistant staff judge advocate found the case legally sufficient and recommended an entry-level separation. On 25 September 2007, the discharge authority concurred with the recommendations and directed discharge with an entry-level separation. The applicant was discharged on 27 September 2007. He served 24 days on active duty. _________________________________________________________________ AIR FORCE EVALUATION: AFPC/DPSOS recommends denial of the applicant's request; however, they recommend the applicant's separation code of JFX be corrected to reflect JFY and the narrative reason for separation (Personality Disorder) be corrected to reflect Adjustment Disorder. The applicant’s DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, incorrectly reflects he was discharged from the Air Force with a separation code of JFX and a narrative reason of Personality Disorder. This does not infer that the applicant’s separation from the Air Force was unjust or improper, rather the separation code entered on his DD Form 214 is incorrect. Since the applicant was diagnosed with an Adjustment Disorder with mixed disturbance of emotion and conduct, the DD Form 214 should have reflected a separation code of “JFY” and narrative reason of “Adjustment Disorder.” They do not recommend changing the RE code. Airman are given entry-level separation/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 uncharacterized character of service resulting in the RE code of 2C on his DD Form 214 is correct and in accordance with DoD and Air Force instructions. The DPSOS complete evaluation is at Exhibit C. AFPC/DPSOA recommends denial of the applicant’s request. DPSOA states that members who receive an entry-level separation with an uncharacterized character of service receive an RE code of 2C. The applicant did not provide any documentation or justification to support his request. The DPSOA complete evaluation is at Exhibit D. _________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: On 21 August 2009, copies of the Air Force evaluations were forwarded to the applicant for review and comment within 30 days (Exhibit E). As of this date, this office has received no response. _________________________________________________________________ ADDITIONAL AIR FORCE EVALUATION: The AFBCMR Medical Consultant concurs with the recommendation to change the narrative reason to Adjustment Disorder, with a corresponding change of the separation code to JFY. However, he does not find the RE code of 2C to be in error or unjust and does not recommend a change of the RE code. The AFBCMR Medical Consultant states the applicant had an Adjustment Disorder and was expressing suicidal ideation and experiencing problems adjusting to military life to the point of necessitating hospitalization, within five days of entering active duty. This Adjustment Disorder was severe enough the treating psychiatrist recommended discharge from the service “ASAP.” The AFBCMR Medical Consultant opines that the applicant’s predisposition for a recurrence or exacerbation of his Adjustment Disorder poses an unreasonable health and mission safety risk and finds the applicant’s vulnerability particularly relevant in the context of the austere operational conditions and extreme mental stressors confronting members of all Military Departments. The AFBCMR Medical Consultant’s complete evaluation is at Exhibit F. _________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: On 30 October 2009, a copy of the Air Force evaluation was forwarded to the applicant for review and comment within 30 days (Exhibit G). 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 timely filed. 3. Insufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the existence of an error or injustice. After a thorough review of the evidence of record, it is our opinion that given the circumstances surrounding his separation from the Air Force, the RE code assigned was proper and in compliance with the appropriate instructions. The applicant has not provided any evidence which would lead us to believe otherwise. Therefore, we agree with the Air Force office of primary responsibility and adopt its 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 basis to recommend granting the relief sought. 4. Notwithstanding the above, as noted by the AFBCMR Medical Consultant and the Separations Branch, the applicant was not diagnosed with a personality disorder; but, as the record indicates, was diagnosed with an adjustment disorder. In view of this, and to preclude any further injustice to the applicant, we recommend that the narrative reason for his separation and the corresponding separation code be changed to reflect “Adjustment Disorder.” _________________________________________________________________ THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT: The pertinent military records of the Department of the Air Force relating to APPLICANT be corrected to show that he was discharged on 27 September 2007 with a narrative reason for separation of "Adjustment Disorder" rather than "Personality Disorder", and a separation code of "JFY" rather than "JFX". _________________________________________________________________ The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2009-00739 in Executive Session on 20 January 2010, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603: , Panel Chair , Member , Member The following documentary evidence pertaining to AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2009-00739 was considered: Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 19 February 2009, w/atchs. Exhibit B. Applicant’s Military Personnel Records. Exhibit C. Letter, AFPC/DPSOS, dated 24 June 2009. Exhibit D. Letter, AFPC/DPSOA, dated 21 July 2009. Exhibit E. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 21 August 2009. Exhibit F. Letter, AFBCMR Medical Consultant, dated 23 October 2009. Exhibit G. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 30 October 2009. Panel Chair