RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
             AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS


IN THE MATTER OF:      DOCKET NUMBER:  BC-2002-03570

            COUNSEL:  NONE

            HEARING DESIRED:  NO

_________________________________________________________________

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

The reason for his discharge be changed to honorable.

_________________________________________________________________

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

The separation code of JFX was assigned erroneously  because  he  was  never
diagnosed with a Personality Disorder.

In support of his request, he submitted a copy of DD Form  214,  Certificate
of Release or Discharge From Active Duty.

Applicant’s complete submission, with attachment, is at Exhibit A.

_________________________________________________________________

STATEMENT OF FACTS:

The applicant enlisted in the Regular Air  Force  in  the  grade  of  airman
basic (E-1) on 2 July  2002.   On  20  September  2002,  while  enrolled  in
technical  training,  applicant  was  notified  by  his  commander  that  in
accordance  with  AFI   36-3208,   Administrative   Separation   of   Airman
(personality disorder), he was recommending  that  applicant  be  discharged
from the Air Force.  The specific reason  for  the  commander's  action  was
that  on  or  about  12 September  2002  applicant  was   diagnosed   by   a
psychiatrist as having an adjustment disorder  with  depressed  mood,  which
was so severe that his ability to function in  a  military  environment  was
significantly impaired.

The applicant was advised of his  rights  in  this  matter.   The  applicant
acknowledged  receipt  of  the  notification  on  that  same  date  and  the
commander initiated  discharge  proceedings  against  the  applicant  on  20
September 2002.  At that time, the  applicant  waived  his  right  to  legal
counsel and waived his right to submit statements on his own behalf.

In a legal review of the discharge case file, the wing staff judge  advocate
found  it  legally  sufficient  and  recommended  that  the   applicant   be
discharged  from  the  Air  Force  with  an  entry-level  separation.    The
discharge authority directed that the applicant be discharged from  the  Air
Force with an entry-level separation without probation  and  rehabilitation.
Accordingly, applicant was  discharged  on  4  October  2002  by  reason  of
Personality Disorder with a Separation  Code  of  JFX,  and  a  Reenlistment
Eligibility (RE) code of 2C.  He had served 3 months, and 3 days  on  active
duty.

_________________________________________________________________

AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

The BCMR Medical Consultant reviewed  applicant's  request  and  recommended
the narrative reason for discharge be changed to Secretarial Authority,  but
no change in the RE code of 2C.  The BCMR  Medical  Consultant  states  that
during the second week of security forces training (September  11-13,  2002)
he was hospitalized with  depressed  mood  and  suicidal  thoughts  and  was
diagnosed with Adjustment Disorder with Depressed Mood.  During  his  mental
health  evaluation,  he  reported  experiencing  depressed  mood  prior   to
starting basic military training but was able to complete BMT.  He failed M-
16  qualification  training,  became  increasingly   depressed   about   the
possibility of being washed back, and had thoughts  of  self-harm.   He  was
recommended for separation due to unsuitability due to Adjustment Disorder.

BCMR Medical Consultant's complete evaluation is at Exhibit C.

AFPC/DPPRS, reviewed  applicant's  request  and  concurs  with  the  Medical
Consultant's recommendation.  DPPRS does  not  recommend  a  change  in  his
characterization of service since the  notification  of  proposed  discharge
was given within the 180-day limit for entry-level separation.

AFPC/DPPRS complete evaluation is at Exhibit D.

_________________________________________________________________

APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

Complete  copies  of  the  Air  Force  evaluations  were  forwarded  to  the
applicant on 11 April 2003 for review and response within  30  days.  As  of
this date, no response has been received by this office.

_________________________________________________________________

THE BOARD CONCLUDES THAT:

1.  The applicant has exhausted all remedies provided  by  existing  law  or
regulations.

2.  The application was timely filed.

3.  Insufficient relevant evidence has been  presented  to  demonstrate  the
existence of an error or injustice  warranting  a  change  in  the  type  of
discharge he received.  Applicant’s request for an honorable  discharge  was
considered, however, since the discharge action  was  initiated  within  the
180-day limit for entry-level separation, we find no reason  to  change  the
characterization of  his  service  to  honorable.   Therefore,  we  find  no
compelling basis to recommend a change in his discharge.

4.    Notwithstanding the  above,  sufficient  relevant  evidence  has  been
presented to demonstrate the existence of an error or  injustice  warranting
partial  relief.   Based  on  a  careful  review  of   all   the   pertinent
documentation,  we  agree  with  the  valid  and  reasonable  recommendation
presented  by  the  BCMR  Medical  Consultant.   The  applicant  should  not
continue  to  be  stigmatized  with  the  erroneous  label  of  “Personality
Disorder”; therefore, we recommend the reason for separation be  changed  to
"Secretarial Authority."  In view  of  the  above,  we  recommend  that  the
records of the applicant be corrected to the extent indicated below.

_________________________________________________________________

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 October 2002, he  was  separated
under the provisions of AFI 36-3208, paragraph 1.2  (Secretarial  Authority)
with a separation code of JFF.

_________________________________________________________________

The following members of the Board considered this application in  Executive
Session on 3 June 2003, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:

            Mr. Wayne R. Gracie, Panel Chair
            Mr. George Franklin, Member
            Ms. Carolyn J. Watkins-Taylor, Member


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

     Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 3 Nov 02, w/Atchs.
     Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
     Exhibit C.  Letter, BCMR Medical Consultant, dated 14 Mar 03.
     Exhibit D.  Letter, AFPC/DPPRS, dated 3 Apr 03.
     Exhibit F.  Letter, SAF/MIBR, dated 11 Apr 03.



                                  WAYNE R. GRACIE
                                  Panel Chair

AFBCMR BC-2002-03570




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 October 2002, he was
separated under the provisions of AFI 36-3208, paragraph 1.2 (Secretarial
Authority) with a separation code of JFF.









  JOE G. LINEBERGER

  Director

  Air Force Review Boards Agency