RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
         AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:      DOCKET NUMBER:  BC-2002-03983
            INDEX CODE:  110.00

            COUNSEL:  NONE

            HEARING DESIRED:  NO


_________________________________________________________________

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

His narrative reason for separation and separation code be changed.
_________________________________________________________________

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

He does not have any type of personality disorder as indicated on  his
DD Form 214.  He wanted a new Air Force Specialty Code (AFSC)  because
he did not want to continue working in  his  assigned  AFSC  of  3P011
(Security Forces Helper).

In support of his request, the applicant submits a copy of his DD Form
214.  The applicant’s complete  submission,  with  attachment,  is  at
Exhibit A.
_________________________________________________________________

STATEMENT OF FACTS:

Applicant contracted his enlistment in the Regular Air Force on 23 Jul
02 for a period of four years.

On 16 Oct 02, the applicant received notification that  he  was  being
recommended for discharge from  the  Air  Force  for  conditions  that
interfere with military service, mental  disorders.   The  reason  for
this action was due to the Behavioral Analysis Service letter, dated 7
Oct 02, indicating that the applicant was  diagnosed  with  adjustment
disorder  with  mixed  anxiety  and  depressed  mood.   The  applicant
acknowledged receipt of the notification, and  waived  his  option  to
consult counsel and his right to submit statements in his behalf.  The
discharge authority approved the recommended separation  and  directed
that the applicant be discharged with an entry level separation.

On 29 Oct 02, the applicant received an  uncharacterized  entry  level
separation under the provisions of AFI 36-3208 (personality disorder).
 He had completed a total of 3 months and 7 days and  was  serving  in
the grade of airman  basic  (E-1)  at  the  time  of  separation.   He
received a separation code of JFX, which  defined  means  “personality
disorder” and an RE Code of 2C,  which  defined  means  "Involuntarily
separated with an  honorable  discharge;  or  entry  level  separation
without characterization of service."
_________________________________________________________________

AIR FORCE EVALUATIONS:

The AFBCMR Medical Consultant  recommends  the  applicant’s  narrative
reason for discharge be  changed  to  Secretarial  Authority,  but  no
change in the reenlistment eligibility (RE) code  is  warranted.   The
AFBCMR Medical Consultant states that the applicant developed symptoms
of  depressed  mood  and  anxiety  with  suicidal  ideation  while  in
technical training that was  diagnosed  as  Adjustment  Disorder  with
Mixed Anxiety and Depressed Mood.  He was administratively  discharged
for this unsuiting condition with an entry level separation.   One  of
the key features of Adjustment disorder is that the condition resolves
with relief of the  stressors.   Individuals  who  develop  Adjustment
Disorder due to the stress of the routine rigors of  military  service
with or  without  concomitant  personal  issues  are  not  suited  for
military service and are subject to administrative discharge by  their
commander.  The applicant’s narrative reason for discharge  is  listed
as personality disorder even though the applicant  was  not  diagnosed
with a personality disorder or maladaptive  personality  traits.   The
Department of Defense  (DoD)  uses  the  term  “personality  disorder”
administratively on the DD Form 214 to include all unsuiting character
and behavior disorders,  including  Adjustment  Disorder,  Personality
Disorders and Impulse Control Disorders.  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 or  misconduct
suggestive of a personality disorder, it is  inaccurate  to  list  the
narrative reason as personality disorder, even though administratively
it is correct.  Although action  and  disposition  in  this  case  are
proper and equitable reflecting compliance with Air  Force  directives
that implement the law, change of the narrative reason  for  discharge
to  Secretarial  Authority  is  recommended.    The   AFBCMR   Medical
Consultant’s evaluation is at Exhibit C.


HQ  AFPC/DPPRS  concurs  with  the  AFBCMR  Medical   Consultant   and
recommends the applicant’s separation code and  narrative  reason  for
separation be changed to “KFF - Secretarial Authority.”  DPPRS  states
that, although the applicant was not  specifically  diagnosed  with  a
personality disorder, administratively it is correct.   Currently  DoD
does not authorize using a more appropriate term  to  define  specific
disorders  of  personality.   DPPRS  noted  that  the  AFBCMR  Medical
Consultant is of the opinion that a more appropriate narrative  reason
for separation would  be  “Secretarial  Authority.”   Based  upon  the
documentation in the file, DPPRS believes the discharge was consistent
with the procedural and  substantive  requirements  of  the  discharge
regulation.  Airmen are given entry  level  separation/uncharacterized
service characterization when separation is initiated in the first 180
days  of  continuous  active  service.   Therefore,  the   applicant’s
uncharacterized character of service is correct and in accordance with
DoD and Air Force instructions.  The HQ AFPC/DPPRS  evaluation  is  at
Exhibit D.
_________________________________________________________________

APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATIONS:

Copies of the Air Force evaluations were forwarded to applicant  on  4
Apr 03 for review and response.  As of this date, no response has been
received by this office (Exhibit E).
_________________________________________________________________

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.   Having  carefully  reviewed  this
application, we agree with  the  opinion  and  recommendation  of  the
AFBCMR Medical Consultant that, in order to correct  an  injustice  of
improperly labeling the applicant’s disorder, his narrative reason for
separation and separation code should be  changed.   In  view  of  the
foregoing,  we  recommend  the  applicant’s  record  be  corrected  as
indicated below.

4.  Insufficient relevant evidence has been presented  to  demonstrate
the existence of error or injustice warranting changing the  character
of service or the reenlistment eligibility (RE) code.   Shortly  after
his entry into technical training, the record shows that the applicant
experienced difficulties  that  were  deemed  sufficiently  severe  to
warrant  his  referral  for  evaluation  by  the  Behavioral  Analysis
Service.  Notwithstanding the change we propose to the reason for  his
separation, there is nothing in the applicant’s submission that  would
lead us to believe  the  action  taken  to  initiate  his  involuntary
separation was erroneous or unjust, that his substantial  rights  were
violated, or that his commanders abused their discretionary authority.
 We note that  the  uncharacterized  character  of  service  that  the
applicant   received   indicates   an   uncharacterized    entry-level
separation.  This condition applies when  separation  proceedings  are
initiated within six months of entry on active  duty.   The  applicant
served three months and seven days of total active  military  service.
Additionally, it appears that the RE code which was issued at the time
of applicant’s separation accurately reflects the circumstances of his
separation.  In view of the  foregoing  and  absent  evidence  to  the
contrary, we find no basis to conclude that the uncharacterized nature
of his separation or the RE code are erroneous or unjust.
_________________________________________________________________

THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT:

The pertinent military records of the  Department  of  the  Air  Force
relating to APPLICANT be corrected to show that the  narrative  reason
for separation, issued in conjunction with his  uncharacterized  entry
level separation on 29 October 2002, was “Secretarial  Authority”  and
the Separation Program Designator (SPD) code was “KFF.”
_________________________________________________________________

The following members of the  Board  considered  this  application  in
Executive Session on 22 May 03, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:

                  Mr. Richard A. Peterson, Panel Chair
                  Mr. Laurence M. Groner, Member
              Ms. Jean A. Reynolds, Member

All members  voted  to  correct  the  records,  as  recommended.   The
following documentary  evidence  was  considered  in  connection  with
AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2002-03983.

   Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 6 Dec 02.
   Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
   Exhibit C.  Letter, BCMR Medical Consultant, dated 10 Mar 03.
   Exhibit D.  Letter, HQ AFPC/DPPRS, dated 21 Mar 03.
   Exhibit E.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 4 Apr 03.




                                   RICHARD A. PETERSON
                                   Panel Chair



AFBCMR BC-2002-03983




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 the narrative
reason for separation, issued in conjunction with his uncharacterized
entry level separation on 29 October 2002, was “Secretarial Authority”
and the Separation Program Designator (SPD) code was “KFF.”




            JOE G. LINEBERGER
                                        Director
                                        Air Force Review Boards Agency