RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
             AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:      DOCKET NUMBER:  BC-2003-01386
                       INDEX CODE:  110.00
                       COUNSEL:  None

                       HEARING DESIRED:  No

_________________________________________________________________

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

His reenlistment eligibility (RE) code be  changed  to  allow  him  to
enlist in the Army.

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APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

Since his separation from the Air Force his personality  disorder  has
been treated by a psychiatrist and a psychologist.  He believes he  is
fit for service and is seeking enlistment in the Army.

Applicant's complete submission is attached at Exhibit A.

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STATEMENT OF FACTS:

Applicant enlisted in the Regular Air Force on 25 September  2001,  as
an airman basic for a period of four years.

The applicant,  while  in  technical  school,  was  hospitalized  from
28 February  2002  through  1  March  2002,  for  suicidal   thoughts,
depressed mood, anxiety, and sleep disturbances.

The applicant was diagnosed as having an  Adjustment  and  Personality
Disorder on 5 March 2002.

On 7 March 2002, the applicant's  commander  initiated  administrative
discharge action for conditions (mental disorder) that interfere  with
military service.  The basis for  this  action  was  that  the  mental
health recommendation to the applicant’s commander stated “While  [the
applicant’s] Adjustment Disorder may be understood as  a  response  to
significant stressors in  his  life,  the  repetitive,  dangerous  and
enduring  nature  of  his  maladaptive  response  to  stress  strongly
indicates  the  presence  of  a  Personality  Disorder  Not  Otherwise
Specified.  This makes it likely that he will continue to be (sic) act
out inappropriately and will be (sic) susceptible to  such  events  as
Adjustment Disorders while on active duty.  Future suicidal  ideations
and behavior may require further hospitalizations  and  administrative
action.  The applicant’s maladaptive response to stress is  so  severe
that is (sic)  impairs  his  ability  to  function  effectively  in  a
military environment.  Furthermore, given the enduring quality of  his
personality, this military impairment is unlikely  to  change  in  the
near future.”  The health care provider recommended an  administrative
discharge.

The commander advised the applicant of  his  right  to  consult  legal
counsel and that legal counsel had been obtained to assist him; and to
submit statements in his own behalf, or waive the above rights.

The commander indicated in his  recommendation  for  discharge  action
that if his recommendation was approved,  the  applicant's  separation
would be characterized as entry-level.

On 7 March 2002, the applicant waived his right to consult counsel  or
submit a statement in his behalf.

On 20 March 2002, the applicant was separated from the Air Force for a
Personality Disorder with an uncharacterized  entry-level  separation.
He served 5 months and 25 days of active service.  He received  an  RE
code of “2C” which means "Involuntarily separated  with  an  honorable
discharge; or entry level separation without service characterization.

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AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

The Chief  Medical  Consultant,  AFBCMR,  states  that  an  Adjustment
Disorder  and  Personality  Disorder  are  conditions  that  are   not
medically disqualifying or unfitting conditions for  continued  active
service, however, it may be determined the servicemember is unsuitable
for further military service.  An Adjustment Disorder is characterized
by marked psychological distress in response to identifiable stressors
that overcome the individual’s  ability  to  cope  and  is  frequently
associated with significant  impairment  in  social  and  occupational
functioning.  The emotional and behavioral responses may be in  excess
of what would normally be expected given the nature of the  stressors.
Manifestations can include depressed mood, anxiety,  and  disturbances
of conduct.  One of the key features of an Adjustment Disorder is  the
condition  resolves  with  relief  of  the   stressors.    Personality
disorders are life long patterns of maladjustment in the  individual’s
personality which interfere with the individual’s  normal  social  and
occupational functioning and may impair the  individual’s  ability  to
cope with stress.  The applicant was diagnosed  with  Personality  and
Adjustment Disorders.  The Adjustment Disorder may  resolve  once  the
stressors are eliminated from the individual’s environment.   But  the
maladaptive personality  traits  of  a  Personality  Disorder  do  not
resolve.  The  applicant  submitted  a  statement  from  his  civilian
psychiatrist stating the applicant appears to have  stabilized.   This
confirms the diagnosis of an Adjustment Disorder, but this is  not  an
indication that the applicant will respond well to the stresses of  an
military environment.  The Medical Consultant further believes that if
the applicant were re-exposed to the rigors of military  training  and
service, it would put him at a significant risk of recurrence  of  the
symptoms of an Adjustment Disorder.  The  medical  consultant  further
states that the action and disposition of this  case  was  proper  and
equitable and recommends no change in the applicant’s records.

A complete copy of the Medical Consultant’s evaluation is attached  at
Exhibit C.

HQ AFPC/DPPRS states based upon the documentation in  the  applicant's
records, they believe his discharge was consistent with the procedural
and substantive requirements of the discharge regulation.   Also,  the
discharge was within the sound discretion of the discharge authority.

Furthermore,    Air    Force    policy     is     that     entry-level
separations/uncharacterized service  characterizations  are  given  to
servicemembers who have not completed more than 180 days of continuous
active service.  The Department  of  Defense  (DOD)  determined  if  a
servicemember served less than 180 days of  active  service,  that  it
would be unfair to the  member  to  characterize  that  service.   The
applicant's uncharacterized service is correct and in accordance  with
DOD and AFIs.  DPPRS recommends the denying the applicant’s request.

A complete copy of the Air Force evaluation is attached at Exhibit D.

HQ AFPC/DPPAE states the applicant received a reenlistment eligibility
code of "2C," indicating the member was involuntarily  separated  with
an  honorable   discharge,   or   entry   level   separation   without
characterization, which is correct (Exhibit E).

_________________________________________________________________

APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

Copies of the Air Force evaluations were forwarded to the applicant on
17 October 2003, for  review  and  response.   As  of  this  date,  no
response has been received by this office.

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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.  Applicant’s  contentions  are
duly noted; however, we are not persuaded that the applicant has  been
the victim of  an  error  or  injustice.   At  the  time  members  are
separated from the Air Force, they are furnished an RE code predicated
upon  the  quality  of  their  service  and  circumstances  of   their
separation.  After a thorough review of the  evidence  of  record,  we
believe that  given  the  circumstances  surrounding  the  applicant’s
separation, the RE code issued was in accordance with the  appropriate
directives.   Although  the  applicant  has  received   some   medical
treatment  for  his  personality  disorder,  the  statement  from  his
civilian psychiatrist does not provide persuasive evidence to  support
the applicant’s assertion that if he  would  reenter  active  duty  he
would be able to handle the  stressors  of  an  military  environment.
Therefore, in the absence of evidence to  the  contrary,  we  find  no
compelling basis to recommend  granting  the  relief  sought  in  this
application.

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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 AFBCMR Docket Number BC-
2003-01386  in  Executive  Session  on  18  November  2003  under  the
provisions of AFI 36-2603:

                       Ms. Brenda L. Romine, Panel Chair
                       Mr. Christopher Carey, Member
                       Mr. Michael J. Maglio, Member

The following documentary evidence was considered:

   Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 19 Mar 03, w/atch.
   Exhibit B.  Master Personnel Records.
   Exhibit C.  Letter, AFBCMR Medical Consultant, dated 18 Jul 03.
   Exhibit D.  Letter, AFPC/DPPRS, dated 20 Aug 03.
   Exhibit E.  Letter, AFPC/DPPAE, dated 30 Sep 03.
   Exhibit F.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 17 Oct 03.




                                        BRENDA L. ROMINE
                                        Panel Chair