RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 

AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS 

 

 

IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2009-00261 

 COUNSEL: NONE 

 HEARING DESIRED: NO 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: 

 

1. His uncharacterized character of service be changed to entry-
level separation. 

 

2. His narrative reason for separation be changed to reflect 
Secretarial Authority rather than Personality Disorder. 

 

3. His separation code of JFX (Personality Disorder) be changed. 

 

4. His Reentry (RE) Code of 2C (Involuntarily separated with an 
honorable discharge; or entry-level separation without 
characterization of service) be changed. 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: 

 

His narrative reason is improper as it does not accurately 
reflect the circumstances of his separation, nor is it a valid 
diagnosis. He fell physically ill during basic military training 
(BMT) with symptoms of extensive vomiting, including blood in the 
stomach discharge, and fatigue. A diagnosis of the source of 
this illness was not completed by Air Force medical personnel. 

 

In support of his request, the applicant provided copies of 
college transcripts, performance evaluations and copies of 
service medical records. 

 

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

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

STATEMENT OF FACTS: 

 

The applicant enlisted in the Regular Air Force on 16 March 1995. 

 

On 29 March 1995, the applicant was notified by his commander of 
his intent to recommend that he be discharged from the Air Force 
under the provisions of AFI 36-3208, chapter 5, section B, 
paragraph 5.11.1. The specific reason was the applicant's 
diagnosis by the Department of Mental Health, Wilford Hall 
Medical Center, as having a mental disorder as contained in the 
Diagnostic and Statistical manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV). 


It was determined this condition interfered with duty performance 
and conduct and was severe enough that his ability to function in 
the military was significantly impaired. The diagnosis was 
Adjustment Disorder with anxiety. 

 

He was advised of his rights in this matter and acknowledged 
receipt of the notification on that same date. The applicant 
elected to waive his right to legal counsel and elected not to 
submit statements on his own behalf. 

 

In a legal review of the case file, it was recommended the 
applicant be separated from the service with an entry-level 
separation. 

 

On 4 April 1995, the applicant was separated with an entry-level 
separation. He served 19 days on active duty. 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

AIR FORCE EVALUATION: 

 

AFPC/DPSOS recommends changing the applicant's Separation Program 
Designator (SPD) code to accurately reflect his diagnosis of an 
Adjustment Disorder. Therefore, his code should reflect KFF 
rather than JFX. His narrative reason for separation should be 
corrected to reflect "Secretarial Authority." DPSOS recommends 
denial of his request to change his RE code. 

 

DPSOS states prior to 2003, the services characterized all 
separatees discharged due to a mental disorder under a blanket 
SPD code "JFX" with a narrative reason of "Personality Disorder." 
The SPD code and narrative reason did not properly distinguish 
the other mental disorder (adjustment disorder, impulse control 
disorder or other disorders) for which a service member could be 
separated. In December 2003, the services met with OSD and 
requested the establishment of additional, more specific SPD 
identifiers to more clearly designate the type of mental 
disorders as defined above. On 21 September 2004, OSD released 
the updated standardized SPD codes including the additional codes 
for the more specific mental disorders. 

 

Airman are given entry-level separation/uncharacterized service 
characterization when separation is initiated in the first 
180 days of continuous active service. Therefore, his character 
of service and RE code is correct. 

 

The DPSOS complete evaluation is at Exhibit C. 

 

AFPC/DPSOA recommends denial of the applicant's request for 
change in RE code. DPSOA states the applicant did not provide 
any evidence to support an error or injustice. RE code 2C is the 
only authorized RE code for members who receive an entry-level 
separation with an uncharacterized character of service. 

The DPSOA complete evaluation is at Exhibit D. 


 

The AFBCMR Medical Consultant recommends granting the applicant 
partial relief by changing the narrative reason for discharge to 
Secretarial Authority, but with no change in his uncharacterized 
service characterization, and no change in RE code. 

 

The AFBCMR Medical Consultant states an Adjustment Disorder need 
not be a lifelong diagnostic label for the applicant, as the 
condition is recognized for its resolution after removal of the 
source of the maladaptive behavior. The applicant's post-service 
accomplishments attests to his adjustment to civilian life, as 
shown by his consistently high performance management results 
over an extended period (as shown on 2003 through 
2007 performance reports). The applicant has also excelled in 
undergraduate and graduate studies. However, the AFBCMR Medical 
Consultant opines that a formal psychiatric evaluation reflecting 
either resolution of the applicant's Adjustment Disorder or an 
indication that he has "no diagnosis" under Axis 1 or Axis II 
would be appropriate before consideration of a change in his RE 
code. On the other hand, in regard to the applicant's 
contentions, the Medical Consultant found no evidence of a 
medical ailment that warranted further evaluation and treatment 
or one that should have been an alternative basis for career 
termination. 

 

The AFBCMR Medical Consultant's complete evaluation is at Exhibit 
E. 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: 

 

On 10 July 2009, copies of the Air Force evaluations were 
forwarded to the applicant for review and comment within 30 days 
(Exhibit F). 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 not timely filed; however, it is in the 
interest of justice to excuse the failure to timely file. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3. Insufficient relevant evidence has been presented to 
demonstrate the existence of an error or injustice. After 


carefully reviewing the evidence of record, we are not persuaded 
that the applicant’s uncharacterized entry-level separation and 
RE code should be changed. Therefore, we agree with the opinions 
and recommendations of the offices of primary responsibility and 
adopt their rationale as the basis for our conclusion that the 
applicant has not been the victim of an error or injustice. In 
the absence of evidence to the contrary, we find no compelling 
basis to recommend granting this portion of the applicant's 
request. 

 

4. Notwithstanding the above, sufficient relevant evidence has 
been presented to demonstrate the existence of an error or 
injustice warranting a change in the narrative reason for 
separation and corresponding SPD code. We note that the 
discharge action taken against the applicant was in accordance 
with the applicable instruction. However, after reviewing the 
applicant’s request and the evidence of record, we find the 
narrative reason for his entry-level separation, “Personality 
Disorder,” to be inappropriate. We believe that since the 
applicant was never diagnosed with a personality disorder, it is 
inaccurate to list his narrative reason for separation as such. 
Therefore, we agree with the opinions and recommendations of the 
Air Force offices of primary responsibility and the BCMR Medical 
Consultant and recommend the applicant’s narrative reason for 
separation and the corresponding SPD code be changed to reflect 
“Secretarial Authority” and “KFF” respectively. 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT: 

 

The pertinent military records of the Department of the Air Force 
relating to APPLICANT, be corrected to show that on 4 April 1995, 
he was discharged under the provisions of AFI 36-3208, paragraph 
1-2, (Secretarial Authority) with a Separation Program Designator 
(SPD) Code of KFF. 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket 
Number BC-2009-00261 in Executive Session on 8 October 2009, 
under the provisions of AFI 36-2603: 

 

 , Panel Chair 

 , Member 

 , Member 

 


The following documentary evidence pertaining to AFBCMR Docket 
Number BC-2009-00261 was considered: 

 

 Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 4 February 2009, w/atchs. 

 Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Personnel Record. 

 Exhibit C. Letter, AFPC/DPSOS, dated 8 April 2009. 

 Exhibit D. Letter, AFPC/DPSOA, dated 8 May 2009. 

 Exhibit E. Letter, AFBCMR Medical Consultant, 

 dated 7 July 2009. 

 Exhibit F. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 10 July 2009. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Panel Chair 

 

 

 


 

 

AFBCMR BC-2009-00261 

 

 

 

 

 

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 4 April 1995, he was discharged under the provisions 
of AFI 36-3208, paragraph 1-2, (Secretarial Authority) with a Separation Program Designator 
(SPD) Code of KFF. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Director 

 Air Force Review Boards Agency