RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS

         AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS


IN THE MATTER OF:      DOCKET NUMBER:  BC-2004-00930
            INDEX CODE:  110.02
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx COUNSEL: NONE

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx     HEARING DESIRED:  NO

_________________________________________________________________

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

Her reenlistment eligibility (RE) code be changed to  one  that  would
allow her to reenlist.

_________________________________________________________________

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

She used her own resources to deal with stress and others assumed  she
was not trying to resolve her personal problems.

In  support  of  her  request,  the   applicant   submits   background
information relating to her discharge.

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

_________________________________________________________________

STATEMENT OF FACTS:

The applicant enlisted in the Regular Air Force as an airman basic  on
29 March 2001, for a term of 4 years.

On 6 March 2003, the applicant was notified by her commander  that  he
was recommending that she be discharged  from  the  Air  Force  for  a
condition that interfered  with  military  service,  specifically  for
mental disorders.  The basis for the action was  that  on  23 December
2002, she was diagnosed with an  adjustment  disorder  with  depressed
mood that was severe enough that her ability to  function  effectively
in the military was significantly impaired.  The evaluator recommended
an  administrative  separation  in  accordance   with   AFI   36-3208,
Administrative Separation of Airmen.

She was advised of her rights in this  matter,  and  after  consulting
with counsel elected to submit statements on her own behalf.  The base
legal office reviewed the case and found it legally  sufficient.   The
discharge authority approved the discharge for a mental disorder  with
an honorable discharge.  On 26 March 2003,  she  was  administratively
discharged with an honorable discharge, under the provisions of AFI 36-
3208, Administrative Separation of  Airmen,  (mental  disorder).   She
received an RE code of “2C”.  She served 1 year, 9 months and  25 days
total active service.

_________________________________________________________________

AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

The BCMR  Medical  Consultant  recommends  the  narrative  reason  for
discharge be changed to Secretarial  Authority,  but  states  that  no
change to the RE code is warranted.

The applicant developed symptoms of depressed mood  with  thoughts  of
self-harm that was diagnosed as  adjustment  disorder  with  depressed
mood and was administratively discharged for this unsuiting condition.

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
typically 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 applicant also had a history of similar symptoms prior to  service
indicating a recurrent problem with an ability to  cope  with  stress.
The fact that she is functioning well at this time  at  home  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  an  increased  risk  for  recurrence  of
symptoms of  adjustment  disorder  if  re-exposed  to  the  rigors  of
military training and service and the RE code should not be changed.

On the applicant’s DD 214,  the  narrative  reason  for  discharge  is
listed as mental disorder or (personality disorder)  even  though  the
applicant was not diagnosed with a  personality  or  mental  disorder.
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  of  Impulse
Control Disorder.

Since the applicant was not diagnosed with a personality disorder  and
was further not noted to demonstrate maladaptive traits suggesting  of
a personality disorder, it is inaccurate to list the narrative  reason
as personality or mental disorder, even though administratively it  is
correct.

The BCMR Medical Consultant’s 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
18 Nov 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 her  request  that
her reenlistment eligibility (RE) code be changed.  After  a  thorough
review of the documentation provided in support of her appeal and  the
evidence of record, it is our opinion  that  given  the  circumstances
surrounding her 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
us to believe otherwise.  Therefore, in the absence of evidence to the
contrary, we find no compelling basis to recommend a change in her  RE
code.

4.  Notwithstanding the aforementioned, we note that the BCMR  Medical
Consultant has indicated that the narrative reason for her separation,
Mental Disorder, is inappropriate under the circumstances  surrounding
the decision to separate her from the Air Force.  We  agree  with  the
BCMR Medical Consultant in this matter and believe that it would be an
injustice for her to continue to suffer the adverse  effects  of  such
characterization.  Accordingly,  we  recommend  that  her  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 26 March 2003,  she
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-
00930 in Executive Session on 13 January 2005, under the provisions of
AFI 36-2603:

                 Mr. Richard A. Peterson, Panel Chair
                 Ms. Ms. Jan Mulligan, Member
                 Mr. Garry G. Sauner, Member

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

      Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 7 Apr 04, w/atch.
      Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
      Exhibit C. Letter, BCMR Medical Consultant, dated 15 Nov 04.
      Exhibit D. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 18 Nov 04.





      RICHARD A. PETERSON
      Panel Chair
AFBCMR BC-2004-00930




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  26  March
2003, she 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