RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS

         AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS


IN THE MATTER OF:      DOCKET NUMBER:  BC-2004-01065
            INDEX CODE:  110.02

      XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX COUNSEL: XXXXXXXXXX


      XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX    HEARING DESIRED:  YES

_________________________________________________________________

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

His  reenlistment  eligibility  (RE)  code,   narrative   reason   for
separation and separation code be changed.

_________________________________________________________________

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

He was informed that his narrative reason for separation would reflect
he was discharege  for  medical  reasons.   This  would  automatically
change the separation code and RE code.   His  condition  is  not  and
should not be categorized as a personality disorder.

Applicant’s complete submission is at Exhibit A.

_________________________________________________________________

STATEMENT OF FACTS:

The applicant enlisted in the Regular Air Force as an airman basic  on
5 March 2002.

On 20 February 2004, the applicant was notified by his commander  that
he was recommending  he  be  discharged  from  the  Air  Force  for  a
condition that interferes  with  military  service;  specifically  for
mental disorders.  The basis for the action was on 22 July  2003,  the
applicant was diagnosed with a borderline personality disorder,  which
was determined severe enough that  his  ability  to  function  in  the
military was significantly impaired and  he  did  not  meet  retention
standards for continued service in the military.

He was advised of his rights in this matter.   He  consulted  counsel,
and elected not to submit statements in his own behalf.  The discharge
authority approved the discharge and directed an  honorable  discharge
without  probation  and  rehabilitation.   On  5 March  2004,  he  was
discharged with an honorable discharge, under the provisions of AFI 36-
3208, Administrative Separation of Airmen, (personality disorder).  He
received an RE code of 2C “Involuntarily separated with  an  honorable
discharge; or  entry  level  separation  without  characterization  of
service”.  He served two years and one day total active service.

_________________________________________________________________

AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

The BCMR Medical Consultant  recommends  denial.   The  applicant  was
administratively  discharged  for  unsuitability  due  to   adjustment
disorder and personality traits  versus  disorder.   He  was  formally
diagnosed with borderline personality  disorder  during  an  inpatient
evaluation in July 2003, and histrionic traits, but not a  personality
disorder  in  November   2003.    Regardless,   both   mental   health
professionals identified significant maladaptive personality  features
that were  the  major  contributors  to  his  symptoms  of  adjustment
disorder.  Adjustment disorder and personality disorder or maladaptive
personality traits listed on the formal psychiatric diagnosis on  Axis
II, are conditions that alone or together  may  render  an  individual
unsuitable for military service.  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 (including suicidal ideation  and  behaviors).   Adjustment
disorder when  severe  enough  is  unsuiting  for  continued  military
service and cause for administrative discharge.  Personality disorders
or maladaptive traits are not a  disease,  but  lifelong  patterns  of
maladjustment in the individual’s  personality  structure  and  coping
skills which are not medically  disqualifying  or  unfitting  but  may
render the individual unsuitable for further military service and  may
be cause for administrative action by the individual’s unit commander.
 Personality disorders/traits are frequently exacerbated by stress and
frequently present with symptoms consistent with adjustment  disorder.
In  addition  to  adjustment  disorder,  personality   disorder   also
predisposes  individuals  to  the  development  of  other   conditions
including depression.

On the applicant’s DD 214,  the  narrative  reason  for  discharge  is
listed as personality disorder even  though  the  applicant’s  primary
diagnosis was adjustment 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.   In  the  Diagnostic  and
Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders the term “personality disorder”
is used in a specific, defined manner to classify  specific  disorders
of personality that do not  include  adjustment  disorder  or  impulse
control disorder occurring in the absence of personality  disorder  or
traits.  However, the applicant was also diagnosed with a  personality
disorder  and  maladaptive  personality  traits   that   significantly
contributed to his development of adjustment disorder.  Therefore  the
narrative reason for discharge on the DD 214 is accurate.

Action  and  disposition  in  this  case  are  proper  and   equitable
reflecting compliance with Air Force  directives  that  implement  the
law.

The 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.   We  took  notice  of  the
applicant’s complete submission in judging the  merits  of  the  case.
However, we agree with the  BCMR  Medical  Consultant’s  opinions  and
recommendation and adopt the consultant’s rationale as the  basis  for
our conclusion that the applicant has not been the victim of an  error
or injustice.  Therefore, in the absence of evidence to the  contrary,
we find no compelling basis to recommend granting the relief sought in
this application.

4.  The applicant's case is adequately documented and it has not  been
shown  that  a  personal  appearance  with  or  without  counsel  will
materially  add  to  our  understanding  of  the  issue(s)   involved.
Therefore, the request for a hearing 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 Docket  Number  BC-2004-
01065 in Executive Session on 13 January 2005, under the provisions of
AFI 36-2603:

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

The following documentary evidence was considered:

      Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 30 Mar 04.
      Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
      Exhibit C. Letter, BCMR Medical Consultant, dated 15 Nov 04.
      Exhibit D. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 12 May 04.




      RICHARD A. PETERSON
      Panel Chair