RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
         AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:      DOCKET NUMBER:  02-00382
            INDEX CODE:  110.02

            COUNSEL:  NONE

            HEARING DESIRED: NO

___________________________________________________________________

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

His narrative reason for separation  be  changed  from  Personality
Disorder to Adjustment Disorder and  his  Reenlistment  Eligibility
(RE) code be changed.

___________________________________________________________________

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

He  fabricated  homicidal  and  suicidal  comments  in   order   to
facilitate his discharge from the military.  He says because he was
having academic problems  while  in  tech  school,  his  supervisor
suggested he see either a chaplain or a psychiatrist.

In his initial visit, he discussed his emotional conflict regarding
his academic problems and his decision  to  leave  the  Air  Force.
After failing a pretest in class and based on his lack of  interest
in the aircrew career field, he visited the psychiatrist  a  second
time.  During  this  visit,  he  made  up  homicidal  and  suicidal
comments, which led to his diagnosis of Personality Disorder.

He indicates that he has continued to have problems  since  leaving
the service with finding  employment  because  of  his  reason  for
discharge from the military of mental disorder.  He seeks a  second
opportunity to reenlist in the Air Force in the food service career
field.

In support of his appeal, applicant provided a personal  statement,
a copy of his college transcript, and a copy of a student  training
report; copy  of  portions  of  his  discharge  correspondence  and
medical reports.

Applicant’s complete submission is at Exhibit A.

___________________________________________________________________

STATEMENT OF FACTS:

On 2 February 2000, applicant enlisted in the Regular Air Force for
a period of 4 years in the grade of airman basic (E-1/AB).

On 19 July 2000, the XX MDOS/SGOH1, XXXXX Medical Center  Inpatient
Mental Health Unit at XXXXX AFB, TX evaluated applicant with a team
of three mental health providers.  They diagnosed the applicant  as
having an Adjustment Disorder with Depressed Mood, and  Personality
Disorder,  not  otherwise  specified  with  Antisocial  Traits,  as
described in  the  Diagnostic  and  Statistical  Manual  of  Mental
Disorders (DSM-IV).  The prognosis rendered reflects  that  he  did
not  have  a  severe  mental  disorder  and  was   not   considered
disordered.  However, he did  manifest  a  disorder  of  character,
behavior and adaptability that was of such severity as to  preclude
adequate military service.   Due  to  his  pattern  of  maladaptive
responses to routine personal and work-related stressors, he  could
become a danger to himself or others if  returned  to  duty.   They
recommended an expeditious administrative separation.  His  ability
to function in the military effectively was significantly  impaired
and he  lacked  the  strength  of  character,  coping  skills,  and
personality to adapt and perform in the military service.

On  25  July  2000,  the  squadron  section   commander   initiated
administrative discharge action against the applicant for a  mental
disorder.  The specific reason for the proposed action was that  on
or about  19  July  2000,  the  applicant  was  diagnosed  with  an
adjustment disorder, with depressed mood, and personality disorder,
not otherwise specified with antisocial traits, as described in the
DSM-IV.   It  was  determined  that  this  disorder   significantly
impaired his ability to function effectively in the military.   The
applicant was advised  of  his  right  to  counsel  and  to  submit
statements on his own behalf.   He  waived  his  right  to  consult
counsel and did not submit a  statement  on  his  own  behalf.   On
31 July 2000, the deputy staff judge advocate found the  case  file
legally sufficient and recommended that the applicant be  separated
with an entry-level service characterization, without probation and
rehabilitation (P&R), for a condition that interferes with military
service  (mental  disorder).   The  discharge  authority   directed
applicant be discharged with  an  entry-level  separation,  without
P&R.

On 4 August 2000, the applicant was discharged under the provisions
of AFI 36-3208, by reason of personality disorder, and  was  issued
an RE  code  of  2C  (involuntarily  separated  with  an  honorable
discharge; or entry-level separation  without  characterization  of
service).  He served 6 months and 3 days on active duty.

On 26 Sep 01, the  Board  considered  and  denied  the  applicant’s
request that his reenlistment eligibility  (RE)  code  of  “2C”  be
changed to a “1” to allow eligibility to reenter the Air Force.

___________________________________________________________________

AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

The  AFBCMR  Medical  Consultant  states  that  the  applicant  was
discharged on 4 August 2000, after 6 months and 3  days  on  active
duty and after being identified with a  personality  disorder.   He
indicated that the applicant began counseling in the Mental  Health
Clinic on 22 June 2000, and due to  ongoing  difficulties,  he  was
hospitalized on 18 July 2000 to 4 August 2000,  because  of  active
suicidal and homicidal  ideation.   The  hospitalization  narrative
summary detailed further  evaluation  of  his  comments  concluding
“Very quickly after his admission it became apparent he was  not  a
suicide risk, not  a  homicidal  risk.”   He  was  cooperative  and
actively participated in therapy while in the hospital.  His  final
diagnoses  were  Adjustment  Disorder  with  depressed   mood   and
Personality  Disorder,  NOS  with  antisocial  traits.   In  final,
applicant was  diagnosed  with  a  personality  and  an  adjustment
disorder as a result of  difficulties  adjusting  to  military  and
academic  performance  during  technical   training.    Personality
disorders  are  lifelong   patterns   of   maladjustment   in   the
individual’s  personality  structure,  which  are   not   medically
disqualifying or unfitting but may render the individual unsuitable
for further military service and may be  cause  for  administrative
action by the individual’s unit commander.  Action and  disposition
in this case are proper and equitable  reflecting  compliance  with
Air Force directives that implement the law.   It  is  his  opinion
that no change in the records is warranted.

A complete copy of the evaluation is at Exhibit C.

HQ  AFPC/DPPRS  reviewed  this  application  and  found  that   the
discharge  was  consistent  with  the  procedural  and  substantive
requirements of the discharge regulation.  Additionally,  that  the
discharge  was  within  the  sound  discretion  of  the   discharge
authority.  They also noted that the applicant did not  submit  any
new evidence or identify any errors or injustices that occurred  in
the discharge processing.  They also noted that  airmen  are  given
entry-level  separation/uncharacterized  service   characterization
when separation is initiated in the first 180  days  of  continuous
active service.  The Department of Defense (DOD)  determined  if  a
member served less than 180 days of continuous service, it would be
unfair to the member and the service to characterize their  limited
service.  Therefore, his uncharacterized service is correct and  in
accordance with DOD  and  Air  Force  instructions.   They  further
stated that an entry-level  separation  should  not  be  viewed  as
negative or less than honorable and should  not  be  confused  with
other types of separation.  They further  agreed  with  the  AFBCMR
Medical Consultant that no change in the record is warranted in the
narrative reason for  separation  and  the  application  should  be
denied.

A complete copy of the evaluation is at Exhibit D.


HQ AFPC/DPPAE reviewed this application and found that his RE  code
2C, “Involuntarily separated with an honorable discharge; or entry-
level separation without characterization of service,” is correct.

A complete copy of the evaluation is at Exhibit E.

___________________________________________________________________



APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

Copies of the Air Force evaluations were forwarded to the applicant
on 30 Aug 02 for review and comment within 30  days.   As  of  this
date, no response has been received by this office (Exhibit F).

___________________________________________________________________

THE BOARD CONCLUDES 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 error or injustice  warranting  a  change  in  the
narrative reason for separation.  The discharge appears  to  be  in
compliance with the governing directives and we find no evidence to
indicate that his separation from the Air Force  was  inappropriate
or that the applicant was not afforded  all  the  rights  to  which
entitled at the time of discharge.  However, we believe that  there
may  have  been  mitigating   circumstances   that   affected   the
applicant’s performance while in technical school.  In this regard,
it appears that the applicant had difficulties  academically  which
affected his ability to function effectively within the  rigors  of
the military environment.   Additionally,  we  note  it  was  never
determined that he suffered from a severe mental disorder.  In view
of this, we believe some form of relief is warranted.  We therefore
recommend  that  the  narrative  reason  for  his  separation   and
corresponding separation code be changed  to  reflect  “Secretarial
Authority.”

4.  Insufficient  relevant   evidence   has   been   presented   to
demonstrate the existence  of  error  or  injustice  in  regard  to
applicant’s request for a change in his RE code.   At  the  time  a
member is separated from the Air Force, they are  furnished  an  RE
Code  predicated  upon  the  quality  of  their  service  and   the
circumstances of their separation.  The assigned code reflects  the
Air Force’s position  regarding  whether  or  not,  or  under  what
circumstances, the individual should be allowed to reenlist.  After
careful  consideration  of  the  evidence  provided,  we  are   not
persuaded that the assigned RE code is in error or unjust  or  that
an upgrade of the RE code is warranted.  We therefore conclude that
no basis exists upon which to recommend  favorable  action  on  his
request that it be changed.

___________________________________________________________________

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 August  2000,
he was discharged under the provisions of  AFI  36-3208,  paragraph
1.2, (Secretarial Authority), with  Separation  Program  Designator
(SPD) code “JFF.”

___________________________________________________________________

The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket  Number
02-00382  in  Executive  Session  on  8  January  2003,  under  the
provisions of AFI 36-2603:

      Mr. Robert S. Boyd, Panel Chair
      Mr. James W. Russell III, Member
      Mr. William H. Anderson, Member

All members voted to correct  the  records,  as  recommended.   The
following documentary evidence was considered:

    Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 2 Jan 02, w/atchs.
    Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
    Exhibit C.  Letter, AFBCMR Medical Consultant, dated 31 May 02.
    Exhibit D.  Letter, HQ AFPC/DPPRS, undated.
    Exhibit E.  Letter, HQ AFPC/DPPAE, dated 21 Aug 02.
    Exhibit F.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 30 Aug 02, w/atchs.




                                   ROBERT S. BOYD
                                   Panel Chair



AFBCMR 02-00382




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  August
2000, he was  discharged  under  the  provisions  of  AFI  36-3208,
paragraph 1.2, (Secretarial  Authority),  with  Separation  Program
Designator (SPD) code “JFF.”







            JOE G. LINEBERGER
            Director
            Air Force Review Boards Agency