RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
         AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:      DOCKET NUMBER:  BC-2003-01172
            INDEX CODE:  112.00

            COUNSEL:  NONE

            HEARING DESIRED:  NO

_________________________________________________________________

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

Her narrative reason for separation and reenlistment eligibility  (RE)
codes be changed.

_________________________________________________________________

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

The JFX SPD code was assigned to her in error.   She  has  never  been
diagnosed with a personality disorder.

In support of the appeal, applicants submits a copy of her DD Form 214
and a letter from a licensed psychologist.

Applicant's complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A.

_________________________________________________________________

STATEMENT OF FACTS:

Applicant enlisted in the Regular Air Force on 3 September 2002.

On 30 January 2003, the commander notified the applicant that  he  was
recommending a discharge for conditions that interfere  with  military
service,  mental  disorders.   The  reason  for  this  action  is  the
Behavioral Analysis Service letter, dated 23 January 2003,  indicating
that he was diagnosed with Adjustment Disorder with Mixed  Disturbance
of Emotions and Conduct.

The applicant, while  serving  in  the  grade  of  airman  basic,  was
separated from the Air Force on 14 February 2003 under the  provisions
of  AFI-36-3208,  Administrative  Separation  of  Airmen  (personality
disorder) with an uncharacterized entry-level separation.  She  served
a total of 5 months and 12 days  active  duty.   She  was  assigned  a
reenlistment eligibility (RE) code  of  2C,  “Involuntarily  separated
with  an  honorable  discharge;  or  entry  level  separation  without
characterization of service.”

On 19 August 2003, AFPC/DPPRSP informed the applicant that  there  was
an error on her DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge  from
Active Duty, and another DD Form 214 has been completed crediting  her
with her previously-omitted active duty time served and  changing  the
reason for her separation and  her  separation  code  to  “Secretarial
Authority” and “JFF.”  Her previously issued separation  document  has
been voided from her records.



_________________________________________________________________


AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

The BCMR  Medical  Consultant  states  that  the  applicant  developed
symptoms of depressed  mood  while  in  technical  training  that  was
diagnosed as Adjustment Disorder and was  administratively  discharged
for  this  unsuiting  condition  with   an   entry-level   separation.
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 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 fact that the applicant is functioning well at this time  confirms
her diagnosis of Adjustment Disorder, however,  it  does  not  predict
that she will respond well to the  stresses  of  military  operations,
deployment,  or  combat  when  she  is  separated  from  her  familiar
surroundings and usual support system of family and friends.  Her past
experience  is  predictive  of  a  significantly  increased  risk  for
recurrence of debilitating anxiety  and  Adjustment  Disorder  if  re-
exposed to the rigors of military training and service.

On the applicant’s DD 214,  the  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 DOD uses the term personality  disorder  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 or  misconduct
suggestive of a personality disorder, it is  inaccurate  to  list  the
narrative reason as personality disorder, even though administratively
it is correct.

The BCMR Medical Consultant is  of  the  opinion  that  the  narrative
reason for discharge should be changed to Secretarial  Authority,  but
no change in the reenlistment code is warranted.

A complete copy of the evaluation is attached at Exhibit C.

AFPC/DPPRS states that they believe the discharge was consistent  with
the  procedural  and  substantive  requirements   of   the   discharge
regulation.  Additionally, the discharge was within the discretion  of
the discharge authority.

Airmen  are  given  entry-level   separation/uncharacterized   service
characterization when separation is initiated in the first 180 days of
continuous active service.  The Department of Defense determined if an
applicant served less than 180  days  continuous  active  service,  it
would be unfair to the applicant and the service to characterize their
limited service.

A complete copy of their evaluation is attached at Exhibit D.

AFPC/DPPAE states that the  Reenlistment  Eligibility  (RE)  code  2C,
“Involuntarily separated with an honorable discharge, or  entry  level
separation without characterization of service” is correct.

A complete copy of their evaluation is attached at Exhibit E.

_________________________________________________________________

APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

On 21  November  2003,  copies  of  the  Air  Force  evaluations  were
forwarded to the applicant for review and response within 30 days.  As
of this date, this office has received no response.

_________________________________________________________________

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 with respect to her request for  a
change to her RE code.  Notwithstanding the action taken  by  the  Air
Force to  administratively  change  the  reason  for  the  applicant’s
separation, her RE code remains correct.  Furthermore, we do not  find
her RE code is unjust.  The record clearly shows  that  the  applicant
experienced significant difficulties after completing  basic  military
training and while in technical training.  Even though, from a medical
standpoint, she does not have  a  personality  disorder,  we  are  not
persuaded by the  evidence  provided  that,  should  she  reenter  the
service, she would be able to successfully  function  in  the  highly-
structured military environment.  In this regard, we  agree  with  the
BCMR Medical Consultant’s assessment of this matter.  Accordingly, the
applicant’s request for a change to  her  RE  code  is  not  favorably
considered.

_________________________________________________________________

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  this  application,  BC-
2003-01172, in Executive  Session  on  25  February  2004,  under  the
provisions of AFI 36-2603:

                       Mr. Robert S. Boyd, Panel Chair
                       Mr. Charlie E. Williams, Jr., Member
                       Mr. Grover L. Dunn, Member

The following documentary evidence was considered:

      Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 18 Feb 03, w/atchs.
      Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
      Exhibit C. Letter, BCMR Medical Consultant, dated 18 Jul 03.
      Exhibit D. Letter, AFPC/DPPRS, dated 20 Aug 03.
      Exhibit E. Letter, AFPC/DPPAE, dated 28 Oct 03.
      Exhibit F. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 21 Nov 03.




                             ROBERT S. BOYD
                             Panel Chair