RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS

         AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS


IN THE MATTER OF:      DOCKET NUMBER:  BC-2004-00167
            INDEX CODE:  100.03
            COUNSEL:  NONE

            HEARING DESIRED:  NO

_________________________________________________________________

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

His reenlistment eligible (RE)  code  be  changed  to  enable  him  to
reenter the military.

_________________________________________________________________

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

After he underwent an evaluation by  a  physician  who  determined  he
could function in a military  environment  his  commander  decided  to
discharge him.  He would like to serve his country and  would  like  a
decision of  his  eligibility  to  reenlist  be  based  on  a  medical
standpoint.

In support of his request, the applicant submits a personal statement.

Applicant’s complete submission is at Exhibit A.

_________________________________________________________________

STATEMENT OF FACTS:

The applicant enlisted in the Regular Air Force as an airman basic  on
4 June 2002, on a guaranteed training agreement  for  security  forces
for a term of 4 years.   On  16  September  2002,  the  applicant  was
notified by his commander that he was recommending  he  be  discharged
from the Air Force due to a condition that  interferes  with  military
service (mental disorder).  The reason for this action  was  that  the
applicant was referred to mental health and  diagnosed  with  specific
phobia (Firearms) and that it significantly impaired  his  ability  to
function in the military.  The  behavioral  analysis  service  letter,
dated 4 September 2002, reported the applicant became too  anxious  to
train with a firearm and  became  even  more  anxious  when  he  heard
firearms being discharged.  When he was offered a medically  effective
approach to desensitizing himself to the fear of weapons, he  declined
treatment knowing that this would disqualify him from  being  able  to
serve  in  the  Armed  Forces.   He  acknowledged   receipt   of   the
notification and elected not to submit statements on his  own  behalf.
The package was reviewed by the staff judge advocate and found  to  be
legally sufficient.   On  2  October  2002,  he  was  administratively
discharged  under  the  provisions  of  AFI  36-3208,   Administrative
Separation of Airman, (personality disorder), with an  uncharacterized
discharge.  He was issued an RE code of  2C  “Involuntarily  separated
with  an  honorable  discharge;  or  entry  level  separation  without
characterization of service)”.  He served 3 months and 29  days  total
active service.

_________________________________________________________________

AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

The BCMR Medical Consultant recommends changing the  narrative  reason
for separation to Secretarial Authority, but denial  of  the  RE  code
change request.  He  declined  treatment  that  may  have  helped  him
overcome his fear knowing  it  would  result  in  discharge.   Members
discharged with an entry-level separation for any  reason,  receive  a
reenlistment code that bars reenlistment.

Since the applicant was not diagnosed with a personality disorder,  it
is inaccurate to list the narrative reason  as  personality  disorder,
even though administratively  it  is  correct.   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.  The RE code should not be changed.

The Medical Consultant’s evaluation is at Exhibit C.

_________________________________________________________________

APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

Copies of the Air Force evaluations were forwarded to the applicant on
15 Jun 04, for review and comment 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 an error or injustice in regard to his  request  that
his reenlistment eligibility (RE) code be changed.  After  a  thorough
review of the documentation provided and the evidence of  record,  the
Board is of the opinion that given the circumstances  surrounding  his
separation from the Air Force, the RE code assigned to  the  applicant
was  proper  and  in  compliance  with  the  appropriate   directives.
Applicant has not provided any evidence, which would lead the Board to
believe otherwise.  Therefore, in  the  absence  of  evidence  to  the
contrary, the Board finds no compelling basis to recommend a change in
his RE code.

4.  Notwithstanding the aforementioned, we note that the BCMR  Medical
Consultant has indicated that the narrative reason for his separation,
Personality  Disorder,  is  inappropriate  under   the   circumstances
surrounding the decision to separate him from the Air Force.  We agree
with the BCMR Medical Consultant in this matter and  believe  that  it
would be an injustice for  him  to  continue  to  suffer  the  adverse
effects of such characterization.  Accordingly, we recommend that  his
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 on 2 October 2002,  he
was separated under the  provisions  of  AFI  36-3208,  paragraph  1.2
(Secretarial Authority), with a separation code of “JFF.”

_________________________________________________________________

The following members of the Board considered Docket  Number  BC-2004-
00167 in Executive Session on 10 August 2004, under the provisions  of
AFI 36-2603:

                 Mr. John L. Robuck, Chair
                 Ms. Kathleen F. Graham, Member
                 Ms. Carolyn B. Willis, Member

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

      Exhibit A. DD Form 149, undated.
      Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
      Exhibit C. Letter, BCMR Medical Consultant, dated 7 Jun 04.
      Exhibit D. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 15 Jun 04.





      JOHN L. ROBUCK
      Panel Chair
AFBCMR BC-2004-00167




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  on  2  October
2002, he was separated under the provisions of AFI 36-3208,  paragraph
1.2 (Secretarial Authority), with a separation code of “JFF”.








  JOE G. LINEBERGER

  Director

  Air Force Review Boards Agency