RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2012-03184 COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: YES _________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: He be reinstated into the Air Force or have his reentry (RE) code changed to allow him to reenter the military. _________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: His recruiter knew about his Driving Under the Influence (DUI) violation before he departed for Basic Military Training (BMT). He never lied to the Air Force and was told in his discharge papers that it was not his fault. The applicant’s complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A. _________________________________________________________________ STATEMENT OF FACTS: The applicant entered active duty in the Regular Air Force on 22 March 2011. On 14 July 2011, his commander notified the applicant that he was recommending him for an entry-level discharge for defective enlistment. The commander noted that prior to the applicant’s departure for Basic Training; he had been arrested on 20 March 2011 by civilian authorities for a DUI violation, while under the age of 21. The commander also noted that if the Air Force had been aware of the applicant’s arrest, it would have prevented his enlistment in the Air Force. The applicant acknowledged receipt of his commander’s notification, consulted counsel, and submitted a statement in his own behalf. On 20 July 2011, the Assistant Staff Judge Advocate found the case to be legally sufficient and recommended the applicant be discharged with an entry-level separation without probation and rehabilitation. On 21 July 2011, the discharge authority approved the recommended discharge and directed the applicant be given an uncharacterized entry-level separation under the provisions of Air Force Program Directive 36-32 and Air Force Instruction 36-3208, paragraph 5.14. The applicant was discharged effective 22 July 2011 in the grade of airman basic (E-1) with an uncharacterized entry-level separation and an RE code of “2C” (Involuntarily separated with an honorable discharge; or entry-level separation without characterization of service). He served four months and one day on active duty. ________________________________________________________________ AIR FORCE EVALUATION: AFPC/DPSOR recommends denial. DPSOR states that based on the documentation on file in the master personnel records; the discharge was consistent with the procedural and substantive requirements of the discharge regulation and was within the discretion of the discharge authority. The applicant should not have been allowed to join the military because the Air Force did not have the true facts at the time of his enlistment. Had the Air Force been aware of his DUI violation, he would not have been allowed entry into the service. Based on the applicant’s failure to disclose his prior committed offense, his service characterization is correct as reflected on his DD 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty. A complete copy of the DPSOR evaluation is at Exhibit C. AFPC/DPSOA recommends denying the applicant’s request to change his RE code. DPSOA states the applicant’s RE code of “2C” is required per Air Force Instruction 36-2606, Reenlistments in the USAF, Chapter 3, based on his involuntary discharge with uncharacterized service. He does not provide any proof of an error or injustice in reference to his RE code, but stated his recruiter knew about the DUI and told him to go to Basic Training anyway. If otherwise eligible, a waiver from recruiting services would be more appropriate than changing his correct RE code. The complete DPSOA evaluation is at Exhibit D. _________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: Copies of the Air Force evaluations were forwarded to the applicant on 19 September 2012, for review and comment within 30 days (Exhibit E). As of this date, this office has received no response. _________________________________________________________________ THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT: 1. The applicant has exhausted all remedies provided by existing law or regulations. 2. The application was timely filed. 3. Sufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the existence of an injustice. After reviewing the evidence of record, it appears that at the time it was assigned, the RE code was technically correct and in accordance with regulation. However, it is the opinion of Board majority that some relief is warranted. In this regard, we note the applicant contends his recruiter advised him not to disclose his arrest for a DUI violation that he incurred while waiting to depart for BMT. We also note the Air Force office of primary responsibility asserts that had the Air Force been made aware of the applicant’s arrest, it would have prevented his enlistment in the Air Force. However, we find the applicant’s account of the events that occurred the night of his DUI and the detailed conversations he had with his recruiter prior to his departure to BMT sincere. While the Board majority does not find sufficient evidence to reinstate the applicant into the military, we believe the applicant’s RE code, should be changed to a waiverable code in the interest of equity and justice. Whether or not he is successful will depend on the needs of the service and our recommendation in no way guarantees that he will be allowed to return to any branch of the service. Therefore, the Board majority recommends his record be corrected to the extent indicated below. _________________________________________________________________ RECOMMENDATION OF THE BOARD: The pertinent military records of the Department of the Air Force relating to APPLICANT be corrected to show that at the time of his discharge on 22 July 2011, he was issued a Reentry (RE) code of "3K". _________________________________________________________________ The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2012-03184 in Executive Session on 25 April 2013, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603: , Panel Chair , Member , Member By a majority vote, the Board voted to correct the record as recommended. Mr. voted to deny the applicant’s appeal but chose not to submit a minority report. The following documentary evidence was considered for AFBCMR Docket Number BC- 2012-03184: Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 12 Jul 12 w/atchs. Exhibit B. Applicant’s Master Personnel Records. Exhibit C. Letter, AFPC/DPSOR, dated 20 Aug 12. Exhibit D. Letter, AFPC/DPSOA, dated 19 Sep 12. Exhibit E. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 9 Oct 12. Panel Chair