AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RE 

RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 

IN THE MATTER OF: 

DOCKET NUMBER:  98-01 
COUNSEL: NONE 
HEARING DESIRED:  NO 

Applicant requests that his uncharacterized discharge be changed 
to a general discharge.  Applicant's submission is at Exhibit A. 

The appropriate Air  Force offices evaluated applicant's request 
and  provided  advisory  opinions  to  the  Board  recommending  the 
application be  denied  (Exhibit C) .  The advisory opinions were 
forwarded to the applicant for review and response  (Exhibit D). 
As of this date, no response has been received by this office. 

After  careful  consideration  of  applicant's  request  and  the 
available evidence of  record, we  find  insufficient evidence of 
error or injustice to warrant corrective action.  The facts and 
opinions stated in the advisory'opinions appear to be based  on 
the evidence of record and have not been rebutted by applicant. 
Absent persuasive evidence applicant was denied rights to which 
entitled,  appropriate  regulations  were  not  followed,  or 
appropriate  standards  were  not  applied,  we  find  no  basis  to 
disturb the existing record. 
Accordingly, applicant's request is denied. 

The Board staff is directed to inform applicant of this decision. 
Applicant should also be informed that this decision is final and 
will only be  reconsidered upon the presentation of new relevant 
evidence  which  was  not  reasonably  available  at  the  time  the 
application was filed. 
Members of  the Board Mr.  Henry C. Saunders, Ms. Ann L. Heidig, 
and Ms. Sophie A. Clark considered this application on 10 Dec 98 
in accordance with  the provisions of Air  Force  Instruction 36- 
2603 and the governing statute, 10 U.S.C. 1552. 

Exhibits : 
A.  Applicant's DD Form 149 
B.  Available Master Personnel Records 
C.  Advisory Opinions 
D.  SAF/MIBR Ltr Forwarding Advisory Opinions 

8 July 1998 
98-01 297 

MEMORANDUM FOR AFBCMR 

FROM:  BCMR Medical Consultant 

1535 Command Drive, EE Wing, 3rd Floor 
Andrews AFB MD  20762-7002 

SUBJECT: 

Applicant's entire case file has been reviewed and is forwarded with the following findings, 

conclusions and recom mend at ions. 

REQUESTED ACTION:  The applicant received an entry level separation under the provisions of 

AFI 36-3208 on 20 April 1998 after 20 days in basic training for a condition of chronic abdominal 
pain which existed prior to service. He applies requesting a general (sic) discharge because he 
states he is unable to collect unemployment benefits with his uncharacterized period of service. 

FACTS:  The records indicate the applicant was seen the very first day of BMT with abdominal 
pain which, when investigated, turned out to be something he had had for at least two years prior to 
entering the Air Force.  His enlistment medical history stated "Yes" to the question of ever having 
abdominal problems, but was interpreted to relate to his history of an appendectomy in childhood. 
This condition was found to be clearly disqualifying for enlistment IAW AFI 48-123, paragraph 7.2, 
and he was administratively separated.  There is no evidence of error or irregularity in the process- 
ing of his case which was properly evaluated.  Action and disposition in this case are proper and 
reflect compliance with Air Force directives which implement the law. 

DISCUSSION:  Individuals are considered in an entry level status for the first 6 months of 

service and any separation which occurs during this period of time will receive an "uncharacterized 
entry level separation."  This is precisely what happened in the applicant's case.  There is no doubt 
his condition preexisted his entry on active duty and was, therefore, disqualifying for entry into the 
Air Force.  No other characterization of service is possible under law for service members separated 
within the first 6 months of entry. 

RECOMMENDATION:  The Medical Consultant is of the opinion that no change in the records is 

warranted and the application should be denied. 

FMDERICK 
Chief Medical Consultant, AFBCMR 
Medical Advisor SAF Personnel Council 

W. HORNICK, coi., USAF, MC, FS 

DEPARTMENT O F  T H E  A I R   F O R C E  

H E A D Q U A R T E R S   AIR  F O R C E  P E R S O N N E L  C E N T E R  

R A N D O L P H  AIR  F O R C E  B A S E  T E X A S  

MEMORANDUM FOR AFBCMR 

FROM:  HQ AFPCDPPRS 

550 C Street West, Suite 11 
Randolph AFB TX  78 150-47 13 

T:  Application for Correction of Military Records 

The applicant, while serving in the grade of airman basic, was separated from the Air 

Force on 20 Apr 98 under the provisions of AFI 36-3208 (Entry Level Separation-Failed 
MedicaVPhysical Procurement Standards) with an uncharacterized discharge.  He served 20 days 
active service. 

Requested Action.  The applicant is requesting his uncharacterized discharge be changed 

to general discharge. He states the uncharacterized discharge makes him ineligible for 
unemployment.  This advisory will address only the discharge processing in the case. 

Conclusion and Recommendation.  Denial.  Airmen are given entry level 

separatioduncharacterized service characterization when separation action is initiated in the first 
180 days of continuous active service.  Applicant served only 20 days and therefore, the 
uncharacterized discharge is correct and in accordance with Department of Defense and Air Force 
directives.  He has filed a timely request. 

JOHN C. WOOTEN, DAF 
Mil Personnel Mgt Spcl 
Separations Branch 
Dir of Personnel Program Mgt 

DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE 
HEADQUARTERS UNITED STATES AIR FORCE 

WASHINGTON, DC 

MEMORANDUM FOR  SAFBCMR 

. 

FROM:  HQ AFDPRCL 

1040 Air Force Pentagon 
Washington, DC 20330-1040 
p1 

SUBJECT:  Ap  lication for Correction of Military Record 

The attached file is forwarded to you for final action.  Our ofice has primary responsibility 
for establishing Air Force policy on unemployment compensation for ex-servicemembers (UCX). 
We interpret the law and determine which separation narratives fall within the statutory eligibility 
criteria. 

Title 5, United States Code, is the legal basis for Air Force policy.  It establishes basic 
UCX eligibility by providing conditions of separation that would qualifl for unemployment 
compensation. Members who separate without completing their first full term must have 
separated for convenience of the government under an early release program; hardship; medical 
disqualification, service incurred injuqddisability, parenthood or pregnancy; or inaptitude or 
personality disorder.  The Air Force determines which separation narratives would qualify for 
UCX under these criterion. 
for unemployment benefits. 

eparation narrative is not among those that qualify 

separation narrative, as validated by AFPC was “Failed MedicaWhysical 

Procurement Standards.”  As such, the separation narrative is not among those making an ex- 
servicemember eligible for UCX.  We do not have authority to recommend approval or 
disapproval of a request to change a narrative reason for separation.  If the board elects to change 
the member’s separation reason and questions arise concerning the UCX eligibility of the proposed 
new separation narrative, we will-advise the board on the UCX status of the proposed narrative. 

EUGENE J. McGRATH, Major, USAF 
Chief, Special & Incentive Pay Policy 
Directorate of Personnel Resources Division 

695-0060