RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
         AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:      DOCKET NUMBER:  BC-2003-00803
            INDEX CODE:  110.00

            COUNSEL:  NONE

            HEARING DESIRED:  NO

_________________________________________________________________

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

His narrative reason for separation be changed to allow eligibility to
enlist in the Air Force Reserve or the Air National Guard.
_________________________________________________________________

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

He does not believe that  he  has  a  personality  disorder.   He  was
diagnosed with this disorder due to the amount of stress he was  under
at that time.

In support of his request, the applicant submits a personal  statement
and copies of his DD Form 214 and separation order.   The  applicant’s
complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A.
_________________________________________________________________

STATEMENT OF FACTS:

Applicant contracted his enlistment in the Regular Air  Force  in  the
grade of airman first class (E-3) for a period of six years on 14 June
2000.  He was progressively promoted to the grade of senior airman (E-
4), with an effective date and date of rank of 14 April 2002.

On 29 October 2002, the applicant received notification  that  he  was
being recommended for discharge for a condition that  interferes  with
the military service; specifically, a mental disorder.  The reason for
this action was due to a commander directed mental health  evaluation,
conducted  on  or  about  17 September  2002,  wherein  an  Air  Force
psychologist diagnosed the applicant as suffering from  an  Adjustment
Disorder, with Mixed  Disturbance  of  Emotions  and  Conduct.   On  1
November 2002, the applicant acknowledged receipt of the notification,
that military legal counsel was made available and that  he  consulted
with counsel, and that he waived his right to submit statements in his
behalf.  The local Staff Judge Advocate recommended that the applicant
be separated  with  an  honorable  service  characterization,  without
probation and  rehabilitation.   On  6 November  2002,  the  discharge
authority approved the recommended separation and  directed  that  the
applicant be issued an honorable discharge.

On 6 November 2002, the applicant was honorably discharged  under  the
provisions of AFI 36-3208 (Personality Disorder).  He had completed  a
total of 2 years, 4 months and 22 days and was serving in the grade of
senior airman (E-4) at the time of discharge.  He received 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:

AFBCMR Medical Consultant recommends the application be  denied.   The
AFBCMR Medical Consultant stated that the applicant underwent a formal
command-directed mental health evaluation in September 2002 because of
continuing unwillingness to carry a  weapon  and  adjust  to  military
requirements.   His  formal  diagnoses  for   that   evaluation   were
Adjustment Disorder with Mixed Disturbance of  Emotions  and  Conduct.
Diagnosis  on  Axis  II   for   the   formal   psychiatric   diagnosis
(personality) was “deferred” but the mental health report stated  that
testing suggested the existence of a personality  disorder.   Numerous
mental health record entries  by  different  mental  health  providers
specifically noted the presence of maladaptive passive aggressive  and
dependent personality traits and, on  the  23  September  2002  mental
health progress note, the psychologist listed Personality Disorder Not
Otherwise Specified in his diagnosis and stipulated “no weapons.”  The
formal mental health report recommended administrative  discharge  for
unsuitability due  to  adjustment  disorder  and  “strong  maladaptive
personality traits” with poor motivation and poor insight.

The AFBCMR Medical Consultant  stated  that  the  applicant’s  records
document an adjustment disorder and  “strong  maladaptive  personality
traits” versus personality disorder in  combination  with  a  lack  of
motivation for continued service.   Adjustment  Disorder,  Personality
Disorder and maladaptive personality traits are  conditions  that  may
render an individual unsuitable for military  service  and  cause  for
administrative  discharge.   Stressful  life  circumstances  such   as
marital discord, divorce, illness or death of a parent,  are  commonly
experienced by members of the military, the majority of whom  continue
to function effectively in their jobs in spite of their sad  feelings.
When an individual responds to common life stressors to the degree  of
becoming dysfunctional, their ability to cope  with  the  stresses  of
military service, operational environments and combat is  called  into
question.  The fact that the applicant is  functioning  well  at  this
time at home confirms his diagnosis of Adjustment  Disorder;  however,
it 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  applicant’s  past  experience  is  predictive  of   an
increased risk for recurrence of debilitating symptoms  if  re-exposed
to  the  rigors  of  military  training  and  service.    Action   and
disposition  in  this  case  are  proper  and   equitable   reflecting
compliance with Air Force directives  that  implement  the  law.   The
AFBCMR Medical Consultant’s evaluation is at Exhibit C.

HQ AFPC/DPPRS recommends the application be denied.   Based  upon  the
documentation in the file, DPPRS believes the discharge was consistent
with the procedural and  substantive  requirements  of  the  discharge
regulation.  DPPRS stated that the Department of Defense uses the term
“personality  disorder”  administratively  to  include  all  unsuiting
mental health diagnoses, character and  behavior  disorders  including
Adjustment  Disorder,  Personality  Disorder   and   Impulse   Control
Disorders.  Although the applicant was not specifically diagnosed with
“personality disorder,” administratively it is correct.  The applicant
did not submit any new evidence or identify any errors  or  injustices
that occurred in the discharge processing.  He provided no other facts
warranting a change in his discharge.  The HQ  AFPC/DPPRS  evaluation,
with attachment Exhibit D.

HQ AFPC/DPPAE stated that  the  applicant’s  reenlistment  eligibility
(RE) code of “2C” is correct.  The  HQ  AFPC/DPPAE  evaluation  is  at
Exhibit E.
_________________________________________________________________

APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATIONS:

Copies of the Air Force evaluations were forwarded to applicant  on  3
July 2003 for review and response.  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.  Insufficient relevant evidence has been presented  to  demonstrate
the existence of error or injustice.  His contentions are duly  noted;
however, we do not find these uncorroborated  assertions,  in  and  by
themselves sufficiently persuasive to override the rationale  provided
by the  AFBCMR  Medical  Consultant.   We  therefore  agree  with  the
opinions and recommendations of the respective Air Force  offices  and
adopt the rationale expressed as the basis for our decision  that  the
applicant has failed to sustain his burden that he has suffered either
an error or an injustice.  In view of the above and absent evidence to
the contrary, we find no compelling basis to  recommend  granting  the
relief sought in this application.
_________________________________________________________________

THE BOARD DETERMINES THAT:

The  applicant  be  notified  that  the  evidence  presented  did  not
demonstrate the existence of material error  or  injustice;  that  the
application was denied without a personal  appearance;  and  that  the
application will only be reconsidered upon  the  submission  of  newly
discovered relevant evidence not considered with this application.
_________________________________________________________________

The following members of the Board considered Docket  Number  BC-2003-
00803 in Executive Session on 14 August 2003, under the provisions  of
AFI 36-2603:

                  Mr. Joseph A. Roj, Panel Chair
                  Mr. Christopher Carey, Member
                  Mr. Michael K. Gallogly, Member

The following documentary evidence was considered:

   Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 27 Feb 03, w/atchs.
   Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
   Exhibit C.  Letter, BCMR Medical Consultant, dated 6 May 03.
   Exhibit D.  Letter, HQ AFPC/DPPRS, dated 23 May 03.
   Exhibit E.  Letter, HQ AFPC/DPPAE, dated 27 Jun 03.
   Exhibit F.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 3 Jul 03.




                                   JOSEPH A. ROJ
                                   Panel Chair