RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
         AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:      DOCKET NUMBER:  BC-2003-01694
            INDEX CODE:  110.00

            COUNSEL:  NONE

            HEARING DESIRED:  YES


_________________________________________________________________

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

His narrative reason for separation, separation code and  reenlistment
eligibility (RE) code be changed to allow eligibility to join the Army
National Guard.
_________________________________________________________________

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

He does not  have  nor  has  he  ever  suffered  from  a  “Personality
Disorder.”  His separation was voluntary, believing he would  be  able
to reenlist in the Army.  He was coerced into signing  the  separation
at the last minute and did not fully understand the  repercussions  of
the reenlistment code.  He believes his civilian record will speak for
itself.

In support of his request, the applicant submits a character reference
letter,  copies  of  his  most  recent  job  appraisal   and   college
transcripts.  The applicant’s complete submission,  with  attachments,
is at Exhibit A.
_________________________________________________________________

STATEMENT OF FACTS:

Applicant contracted his  enlistment  in  the  Regular  Air  Force  on
20 July 1983 for  a  period  of  four  years.   He  was  progressively
promoted to the grade of airman first class (E-3), with  an  effective
date and date of rank of 20 July 1984.

On 29 August 1984, the applicant received  notification  that  he  was
being recommended for discharge for  conditions  that  interfere  with
military service (personality disorder).  The specific reason for this
action was due to the applicant being diagnosed by the  Mental  Health
Clinic as having  an  adjustment  disorder  with  anxious  mood.   The
applicant acknowledged receipt of  the  notification  and  waived  his
option to consult with counsel.  The applicant declined to submit  any
written statements in his behalf.   The  discharge  was  found  to  be
legally sufficient and, on 20 September 1984, the discharge  authority
approved the recommended separation and directed that the applicant be
issued an honorable discharge.

He was honorably discharge on 25 September 1984 under  the  provisions
of AFR 39-10 (conditions  that  interfere  with  military  service-not
disability-personality disorder).  He had completed  a  total  of  one
year, two months and six days and was serving in the grade  of  airman
first class (E-3) at the time of discharge.  He received an RE Code of
2C, which defined means "Involuntarily separated under AFR 39-10  with
an  honorable  discharge;   or,   entry   level   separation   without
characterization of service.”
_________________________________________________________________

AIR FORCE EVALUATIONS:

The BCMR Medical Consultant summarized the  information  contained  in
the applicant’s personnel  and  medical  records.   The  BCMR  Medical
Consultant states that the applicant was diagnosed with an  adjustment
disorder, with anxious mood.  Since the applicant  was  not  diagnosed
with a personality disorder and was further not noted  to  demonstrate
maladaptive traits, it is inaccurate to list the narrative  reason  as
personality disorder, even  though  administratively  it  is  correct.
However,  there  was  misconduct  reflecting  disregard  for  military
regulations and authority.  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.   Change  of  the
reenlistment eligibility (RE) code is not recommended since adjustment
disorder may recur under the varied and unique  stresses  of  military
service  and  the  fact  that  there  was  misconduct  that  reflected
disregard  for  military  standards.   Details  of  the  BCMR  Medical
Consultant’s evaluation are at Exhibit C.


HQ AFPC/DPPRSP states that  the  applicant  did  not  submit  any  new
evidence or identify any errors or injustices  that  occurred  in  the
discharge processing.  However, DPPRSP concurs with the  BCMR  Medical
Consultant  and  recommends  the  applicant’s  separation   code   and
narrative reason be changed to “JFF - Secretarial Authority.”  The  HQ
AFPC/DPPRSP evaluation is at Exhibit D.
_________________________________________________________________

APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATIONS:

The applicant reviewed the advisory opinions  and  indicated  that  he
stored his firearms  collection  NOT  in  the  barracks,  but  in  his
sergeant’s private living quarters.  This  was  not  a  disregard  for
military standards, just a mistake by a 19  year  old.   He  has  been
working in electronics for 18 years, with no adjustment disorder.   He
believes a second chance with the Army National  Guard  is  warranted.
The applicant’s complete submission is at Exhibit F.
_________________________________________________________________

THE BOARD CONCLUDES THAT:

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

2.  The application was not  timely  filed;  however,  it  is  in  the
interest of justice to excuse the failure to timely file.

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 should be changed.  In addition, we note that the applicant
has expressed a desire to enlist into the Army National Guard with the
knowledge that the  unit  may  deploy.   Considering  the  applicant’s
desire to serve and the 18 years that have passed since his discharge,
we believe he should be given the opportunity to apply for  enlistment
by changing his RE code.  Whether or not the applicant  is  successful
will depend on the needs of the service.  In view of the foregoing, we
recommend the applicant’s records 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 his  narrative  reason
for separation, issued in conjunction with his Honorable Discharge  on
25 September 1984, was “Directed by Secretary of the  Air  Force”  and
that he was issued a Separation Program Designator (SPD) code of “JFF”
and a reenlistment eligibility (RE) code of “4D.”
_________________________________________________________________

The following members of the  Board  considered  this  application  in
Executive Session on 25 February 2004, under the provisions of AFI 36-
2603:

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

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

   Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 13 May 03, w/atchs.
   Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
   Exhibit C.  Letter, BCMR Medical Consultant, dated 22 Oct 03.
   Exhibit D.  Letter, HQ AFPC/DPPRSP, dated 20 Nov 03.
   Exhibit E.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 5 Dec 03.
   Exhibit F.  Letter from Applicant, dated 16 Dec 03.



                                    ROBERT S. BOYD
                                    Panel Chair


AFBCMR BC-2003-01694




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 his narrative
reason for separation, issued in conjunction with his Honorable
Discharge on 25 September 1984, was “Directed by Secretary of the Air
Force” and that he was issued a Separation Program Designator (SPD)
code of “JFF” and a reenlistment eligibility (RE) code of “4D.”





            JOE G. LINEBERGER
                                        Director
                                        Air Force Review Boards Agency