RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
         AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:      DOCKET NUMBER:  BC-2003-03346
            INDEX CODE:  110.02

      XXXXXXX    COUNSEL:  NONE

      XXXXXXX    HEARING DESIRED: NO

___________________________________________________________________

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

His narrative reason for separation on his DD Form 214, Certificate
of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, be changed.

___________________________________________________________________

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

The term “Personality Disorder” was one that came up in  haste  and
without proper consideration.  At the time of  his  separation,  he
was being treated for stress and was prescribed medication but  not
given enough time for it to work prior to his discharge.

Additionally, he was not aware that his DD Form 214 would list  the
narrative reason for separation of “personality disorder”  nor  was
he given the opportunity to appeal.  The reason for  separation  on
his DD Form 214 has made it extremely difficult to find work.

Applicant’s complete submission is at Exhibit A.

___________________________________________________________________

STATEMENT OF FACTS:

On 19 January 2000, applicant enlisted in the Regular Air Force for
a period of six  years  in  the  grade  of  airman  (E-2/Amn).   He
received one enlisted performance report with an overall rating  of
3.

On or about 26 August 2001, the applicant was arrested by the local
police department for domestic violence.  He was  admitted  to  the
Veterans Administration Hospital for making suicidal gestures while
in the county jail.

On 12 September 2001, the applicant received  a  commander-directed
mental health evaluation based on his communicating threats against
himself and others, showing signs of  various  mood  swings,  short
tempers,  physical  assault,  domestic   violence   incidents   and
disorderly conduct.  They  diagnosed  the  applicant  as  having  a
Personality Disorder, Not Otherwise Specified (NOS),  as  described
in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders  (DSM-
IV).  A mental disorder so severe that  it  significantly  impaired
his ability to function in the military.   The  prognosis  rendered
reflects that he  was  deemed  unsuitable  for  continued  military
service on the basis of the above diagnosis.

On 1 November 2001, the squadron commander initiated administrative
discharge  action  against  the  applicant  for  a  condition  that
interferes with military service, specifically a  mental  disorder.
The specific reason for the proposed action was based on the mental
health diagnosis listed above.

On 6  November  2001,  after  consulting  with  counsel,  applicant
submitted statements in his own behalf.  On  9 November  2001,  the
staff judge advocate found the case  file  legally  sufficient  and
recommended that the  applicant  be  separated  with  an  honorable
service  characterization,  without  probation  and  rehabilitation
(P&R), for  a  condition  that  interferes  with  military  service
(mental disorder).  On 9 November  2001,  the  discharge  authority
directed applicant  be  discharged  with  an  honorable  discharge,
without P&R.

On 13  December  2001,  the  applicant  was  discharged  under  the
provisions of AFI 36-3208, by reason of personality  disorder,  and
was issued an RE code of 3A [first-term airman who separates before
completing 36 months (60 months for a 6-year enlistee)  on  current
enlistment  and  who  has  no  known   disqualifying   factors   or
ineligibility   conditions   except   grade,    skill-level,    and
insufficient TAFMS].  He served 1 year, 9 months  and  11  days  on
active duty.

On 19  Feb  2002,  applicant’s  DD Form  214  was  administratively
corrected   to   reflect   “13   November   2001”    rather    than
“13 December 2001” in Item 12b, “1 year, 9 months,  and  25  days,”
rather than “1 year, 9 months, and 11 days” in Item 12c.

___________________________________________________________________

AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

The AFBCMR Medical Consultant states the applicant  entered  active
duty on  19  Jan  00,  he  served  satisfactorily  as  an  aircraft
hydraulic systems  apprentice.   His  enlisted  performance  report
documents satisfactory duty performance (overall 3), with strengths
including  technical  ability  and  military  appearance,  however,
narrative remarks reflects difficulty with communication skills and
temper control.

Applicant was encouraged to seek help from the mental health clinic
on 7 Aug 00 for relationship difficulties at work  including  anger
and communication.  The evaluating psychologist  indicated  concern
for the presence of a personality disorder and initiated counseling
to improve social skills.  On 24 Sep 00, he  was  hospitalized  for
five days in a psychiatric unit for  suicidal  ideation  associated
with  difficulties  with  his  fiancé.   He  was   prescribed   the
antidepressant medication Prozac which he took for two weeks  after
discharge  from  the  hospital,  then  discontinued.   He  received
outpatient  psychotherapy   following   his   hospitalization   and
diagnosis of Adjustment Disorder with depressed mood and “rule out”
personality disorder.  Psychological testing in  Oct  00  indicated
features   consistent   with   personality    disorder    including
impulsivity, shallow social relationships, schizoid mentation,  and
difficulty with authority.

He was again evaluated at the mental health clinic on  16  Aug  01,
for suicidal and homicidal ideation.   On  23  Aug  01,  psychiatry
evaluation concluded with a diagnosis of Personality Disorder,  NOS
(with paranoid and schizotypal features).

On 26 Aug 01, applicant was arrested by  civilian  authorities  for
domestic violence and while in jail made  a  suicidal  gesture  was
hospitalized a second time.  Following release from the hospital, a
command-directed  mental  health  evaluation   concluded   with   a
diagnosis   of   Personality   Disorder   NOS    and    recommended
administrative separation for unsuitability.  At the  time  of  his
discharge,  applicant  contended   all   of   his   problems   were
attributable to  his  marital  difficulties  and  requested  to  be
retained.

Personality disorders are lifelong patterns of maladjustment in the
individual’s  personality  structure,  which  are   not   medically
disqualifying or unfitting but may render the individual unsuitable
for further military service and may be cause for administrative or
disciplinary action by the individual’s unit commander  either  due
to misconduct or unsuitability.  Action  and  disposition  in  this
case are proper and equitable reflecting compliance with Air  Force
directives that implement the law.   It  is  his  opinion  that  no
change in the records is warranted.

A complete copy of the evaluation is at Exhibit C.

___________________________________________________________________

APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

A copy of the Air Force evaluation was forwarded to  the  applicant
on 5 March 2004 for review and comment within 30 days.  As of  this
date, no response has been received by this office (Exhibit D).

___________________________________________________________________

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.  After a  thorough
review of the evidence of record and applicant's submission, we are
not  persuaded  that  his  uncorroborated  assertions,  in  and  by
themselves, are sufficiently persuasive to override  the  rationale
provided by the Air Force.  The Board has been presented  with  the
assertion that the applicant’s reason for separation  was  made  in
haste, erroneous, and without proper consideration.   We  disagree.
Prior to his separation, it appears that  the  applicant  underwent
extensive evaluation and treatment, including a period of inpatient
hospitalization at  a  VA  medical  facility.   His  condition  was
diagnosed as Personality Disorder.   Although,  the  applicant  was
able to perform the technical  aspects  of  his  job,  the  records
clearly documents a personality disorder that rendered  him  unable
to function in a military environment and unsuitable for  continued
military service.  In view of the above, we remain unpersuaded that
the assessments of his condition prior to his discharge  were  made
in haste, but was the result of considerable observation over  time
including occupational and marital  sources,  formal  psychological
testing, psychiatric  interview,  and  two  hospitalizations.   The
applicant’s case has undergone an exhaustive  review  by  the  BCMR
Medical Consultant and there is nothing in the evidence provided by
the applicant that would  overcome  his  assessment  of  the  case.
Therefore, in the absence of persuasive evidence to  the  contrary,
we find no compelling basis to grant the  applicant  the  requested
relief.

___________________________________________________________________

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-2003-03346 in Executive Session on  29  April  2004,  under  the
provisions of AFI 36-2603:

      Mr. Jackson A. Hauslein Jr., Panel Chair
      Mr. James W. Russell III, Member
      Mr. Richard A. Peterson, Member

The following documentary evidence was considered:

    Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 26 May 03.
    Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
    Exhibit C.  Letter, BCMR Medical Consultant, dated 18 Feb 04.
    Exhibit D.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 5 Mar 04.




                                   JACKSON A. HAUSLEIN JR.
                                   Panel Chair