RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
             AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS


IN THE MATTER OF:      DOCKET NUMBER:  BC-2002-03005
            INDEX CODE:  110.02
      XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX     COUNSEL:  NONE

      XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX HEARING DESIRED:  YES

_________________________________________________________________

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

His separation code, reentry (RE) code, and  the  terminology  used  in  his
doctor’s notes be changed to allow him to reenlist in the military.

_________________________________________________________________

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

His RE code and  separation  code  were  transcribed  incorrectly  from  the
doctor’s notes and wrong word  usage  with  the  given  separation  code  is
making it difficult for him to reenlist in the military.

In support of his request, the applicant submits  a  personal  statement,  a
copy of his DD Form 214, Certificate of Release  or  Discharge  From  Active
Duty, a copy of the Air Force mental health  evaluation  dated  23  December
1996, and a letter  from  his  civilian  clinical  psychologist’s  dated  16
August 2002.  His complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A.

_________________________________________________________________

STATEMENT OF FACTS:

The applicant enlisted in the Regular Air Force on 29 November 1995  at  the
age of 18 for a period of four years in the grade of Airman First Class  (E-
3).  He was trained in the Air Force career field, Security Apprentice,  Air
Force Specialty Code 3P031.

On 26 July 1996, the applicant  was  counseled  on  poor  performance.   The
counseling documentation indicated the applicant was  highly  depressed  and
emotionally upset about a Quality Control Evaluation failure  and  disturbed
with his performance on his practical evaluations that took place  on  25-26
July 1996.  The applicant’s performance evaluation for the period  25  April
1996 through 7 January 1997 indicated  the  applicant  failed  to  meet  Air
Force Standards.

On 31 October 1996, the applicant was seen at the Mental Health  Clinic  for
depression  caused  by  marital  problems.   In   mid-November   1996,   the
applicant’s wife filed for divorce.   On  22 November  1996,  the  applicant
presented to the Mental Health  Clinic  again  with  increased  symptoms  of
depressed mood.  The psychologist attributed the applicant’s development  of
Adjustment Disorder to a recent divorce; however, he noted  that  after  two
months of therapy, the applicant was showing no  signs  of  improvement  and
showed little sign  of  being  able  to  adapt  to  the  life  change.   The
psychologist indicated the applicant’s  condition  was  so  severe  that  it
significantly impaired his ability to function in the  military  environment
and recommended an  administrative  discharge.   On  13  January  1997,  the
commander  initiated  discharge  proceedings  against  the  applicant.   The
applicant was advised of his rights and acknowledged receipt.   In  a  legal
review of the discharge  case  file,  the  staff  judge  advocate  found  it
legally  sufficient  and  recommended  that  the  applicant   be   honorably
discharged  from  the  Air  Force  without  suspension  for  probation   and
rehabilitation.  On 24 January 1997, the discharge authority  directed  that
the applicant be discharged from the Air Force under the provisions  of  AFI
36-3208, Chapter 5, Section B, Paragraph 5.11.1, Conditions  that  Interfere
with Military Service, Mental Disorders.  The applicant was  separated  with
an honorable  discharge  on  28  January  1997  by  reason  of  “Personality
Disorder” with a Separation Code of JFX and a Reenlistment Eligibility  (RE)
code  of  2C,  (involuntary  separation  with  honorable  discharge).    The
applicant had served 1 year and 2 months on active duty.

_________________________________________________________________

AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

The BCMR Medical Consultant states that even  though  the  narrative  reason
for discharge on the applicant’s  DD  Form  214  is  listed  as  personality
disorder, the applicant was  not  diagnosed  with  a  personality  disorder.
Department of Defense uses the term “personality order” administratively  to
include all unsuiting character and behavior disorders including  Adjustment
Disorder, Personality Disorders, and Impulse Control Disorders.   This  term
is confusing  because  the  Diagnostic  and  Statistical  Manual  of  Mental
Disorders uses the  term  “personality  disorder”  in  a  specific,  defined
manner to classify specific disorders of personality  that  do  not  include
Adjustment Disorder or Impulse Control  Disorder.   Prior  regulations  used
the more inclusive and less confusing “character and behavior disorder.”

Since the applicant was not diagnosed with a personality  disorder  and  was
further  not  noted  to  demonstrate  maladaptive  traits  suggestive  of  a
personality disorder, it is the Medical  Consultant’s  opinion  that  it  is
inaccurate to list  the  narrative  reason  as  personality  disorder,  even
though administratively it is correct.  Action and disposition in this  case
are proper and equitable reflecting compliance  with  Air  Force  directives
that implement the law.

The BCMR Medical Consultant is of the opinion that the narrative reason  for
discharged should be changed to Secretarial Authority, but feels  no  change
in the RE Code is warranted.  Details of his evaluation are at Exhibit C.

AFPC/DPPRS states the discharge  was  consistent  with  the  procedural  and
substantive requirements of the discharge regulation.   DPPRS  concurs  with
the BCMR Medical Consultant that the  adjustment  disorder  was  incorrectly
labeled and recommends the applicant’s separation code be changed  to  “KFF”
Secretarial Authority.  The DPPRS evaluation is at Exhibit D.

AFPC/DPPAE states the  RE  code  of  2C  (involuntarily  separated  with  an
honorable discharge; or entry level separation without  characterization  of
service) is correct.  The DPPRS evaluation is at Exhibit E.

_________________________________________________________________

APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

The applicant indicates he took the easy way out at discharge time.  He  was
an immature 19 year old who just wanted to go home and was  unsure  of  what
to do.  He is a mature 25 year old, married,  involved  with  the  community
and a local 911-dispatch shift supervisor.  He feels that  since  the  state
and local governments can trust him with a secret  clearance  and  stressful
job; that hopefully the federal government can too.  He is  a  supporter  of
our  country  and  military.   He  indicates  our  country  was  founded  on
volunteers and he would like to volunteer once again to do  his  part.   His
goal is to reenlist to finish his initial  four-year  service  agreement  or
possibly enlist in the Air National Guard.  He provides a  timeline  of  the
events  in  his  life  from  28  January  1995  to  1  February  1997.   The
applicant’s rebuttal is at Exhibit G.

_________________________________________________________________

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.  Sufficient relevant evidence  has  been  presented  to  demonstrate  the
existence of probable error or injustice warranting a change in  the  reason
for separation.  After reviewing the evidence of record,  we  are  persuaded
that some relief is warranted.  We note  that  the  discharge  action  taken
against the applicant was in accordance  with  the  applicable  instruction.
However, after  reviewing  the  applicant’s  request  and  the  evidence  of
record, we  find  the  narrative  reason  for  his  entry-level  separation,
“Personality Disorder,” to be inappropriate.  We feel  since  the  applicant
was never diagnosed with a personality disorder, it is  inaccurate  to  list
the narrative reason for  separation  as  such.   We  noted  that  the  BCMR
Medical  Consultant  has  indicated  that  current  Air  Force  Instructions
regulating separations  for  mental  health  do  not  allow  for  variations
thereof, thus at times, improperly labeling the reason for  separation.   We
believe this has happened in this case.  Therefore, we  recommend  that  the
narrative reason for his  separation  be  changed  to  reflect  “Secretarial
Authority.”  The applicant states he is functioning well at home  since  his
discharge; however, he has failed to provide  documentary  evidence  showing
that he would not experience the same symptoms  of  adjustment  disorder  in
the military that he suffered previously while on  active  duty.   The  fact
that he is functioning well at home does not predict that  he  will  respond
well to the stresses of military operations, deployment, or combat  when  he
is separated from his familiar surroundings  and  usual  support  system  of
family and friends.  The RE Code  which  was  issued  at  the  time  of  the
applicant’s  separation  accurately  reflects  the  circumstances   of   his
separation and we  do  not  find  this  code  to  be  in  error  or  unjust.
Accordingly, his request to change his RE Code is not favorably considered.

________________________________________________________________

THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT:

The pertinent military records of the Department of the Air  Force  relating
to APPLICANT be corrected to show that on 28 January 1997,  he  received  an
honorable discharge under the provisions  of  AFI  36-3208,  paragraph  1.2,
(Secretarial Authority),  with  Separation  Program  Designator  (SPD)  code
“KFF.”

________________________________________________________________

The following members of the Board considered this application in  Executive
Session on 2 April 2003, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:

      Mr. Edward C. Koenig III, Panel Chair
      Ms. Brenda L. Romine, Member
      Mr. Thomas J. Topolski, Member

The following documentary evidence was considered:

    Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 13 Aug 02, w/atchs.
    Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
    Exhibit C.  Letter, BCMR Medical Consultant, dated 14 Nov 02.
    Exhibit D.  Letter, AFPC/DPPRS, dated 18 Dec 02.
    Exhibit E.  Letter, AFPC/DPPAE, dated 3 Feb 03.
    Exhibit F.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 14 Feb 03.
    Exhibit G.  Letter, Applicant’s Review, dated 7 Mar 03.




                                   EDWARD C. KOENIG III
                                   Panel Chair



AFBCMR BC-2002-03005




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 XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX, be corrected to show that on 28 January
1997, he was separated under the provisions of AFI 36-3208, paragraph 1.2
(Secretarial Authority) with a separation code of KFF.






JOE G. LINEBERGER

Director

Air Force Review Boards Agency