RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2010-01982 COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: NO _________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: 1. His DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, be changed in Block 4a and 4b to reflect his grade of Senior Airman (SrA) and E-4 respectively. (Administratively corrected) 2. His reentry (RE) code of “4H” (Serving suspended punishment pursuant to Article 15, Uniform Code of Military Justice) be changed to a code that would allow him to reenlist in the Reserves. _________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: His record will show that his rank and pay grade during his enlistment was SrA/E-4. After completion of his four year enlistment, he was awarded an honorable discharge, after being given the opportunity to reenlist. He now has a family and wishes to enlist in the Reserves. In support of his appeal, the applicant provides a copy of his DD Form 214. The applicant’s complete submission, with attachment, is at Exhibit A. _________________________________________________________________ STATEMENT OF FACTS: The applicant is a former member of the Regular Air Force who served from 26 September 2000 to 25 September 2004. On 1 May 2004, the applicant’s commander offered the applicant nonjudical punishment for failing to obey a lawful general order, in violation of Article 92, Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ). The applicant was accused of downloading sexually explicit material to his government computer. Upon consulting with counsel, he accepted the Article 15 and waived his right to demand a trial by court-martial. The applicant presented written matters to the commander. On 4 May 2004, the commander determined the applicant committed the alleged offense. The resulting punishment consisted of a suspended reduction to the grade of airmen first class (E-3), forfeiture of $75 pay per month for two months, and a reprimand. The applicant chose not to appeal the punishment. He was offered a second opportunity to appeal his punishment when there was a change in command during the process, but declined again in a separate memorandum. A legal review of the Article 15 determined it was legally sufficient. On 14 May 2004, the applicant was notified that he was denied reenlistment based on a Driving under the Influence charge and the Article 15. The applicant acknowledged receipt of the notification and chose not to appeal the decision. On 25 September 2004, the applicant was honorably discharged from the Air Force while still serving the suspended reduction in rank. He served four years on active duty. His DD Form 214 reflects he was discharged in the grade of airman first class (E- 3). On 20 July 2010, the applicant was notified by AFPC/DPSOA that his DD Form 214 reflects an incorrect RE code of “4H.” DPSOA indicates that he was denied reenlistment under the Selective Reenlistment Program; therefore, his RE code would be changed to “2X” (First term, second term or career airman considered but not selected for reenlistment under the SRB), as it more accurately reflects the reason for his discharge. On 30 July 2010, AFPC/DPSOE notified the applicant that a review of his record revealed that since he was serving under a suspended reduction in grade at the time of his separation, and, they found no documentation vacating the suspended punishment, his DD Form 214 would be corrected in Blocks 4a and 4b to reflect SrA/E4. ________________________________________________________________ AIR FORCE EVALUATION: AFLOA/JAJM recommends denial in regard to the applicant’s nonjudicial punishment action. They defer to the appropriate agencies in regard to any other issues raised by the applicant. JAJM states the applicant’s issue does not appear to be with the Article 15 itself, but rather with the RE code. Since the basis for that code comes from the Article 15, they reviewed the nonjudicial punishment action for error or injustice. The applicant was provided all of his rights and privileges due under Article 15, UCMJ. The commander was in the best position to carefully weigh all of the evidence, make informed findings of fact, and arrive at a suitable punishment. The punishment imposed was appropriate to the offense and not unfairly harsh. The complete JAJM evaluation is at Exhibit C. _________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: A copy of the Air Force evaluation was forwarded to the applicant on 15 October 2010, for review and comment within 30 days. 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. We note the applicant’s DD Form 214 will be administratively corrected by AFPC to reflect his rank and pay grade of SrA and E- 4, subsequent to Board action; therefore, we will only address his request to change his RE code. Insufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the existence of an error or injustice that would warrant a change to the applicant’s RE code to allow him to reenlist. We note that AFPC/DPSOA indicates the appropriate RE code that should have been assigned at the time of the applicant’s separation is “2X” based on him not being selected for reenlistment under the Selective Reenlistment Program; and, that they will administratively correct his record to reflect the correct RE code. We concur with this correction. Therefore, in view of the above and in the absence of evidence to the contrary, we find no 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 AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2010-01982 in Executive Session on 10 February 2011, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603: , Panel Chair , Member , Member The following documentary evidence was considered in connection with AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2010-01982: Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 24 May 10, w/atch. Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Personnel Records. Exhibit C. Letter, AFLOA/JAJM, dated 30 Aug 10. Exhibit D. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 15 Oct 10. Panel Chair