RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 

AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS 

 

IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2009-00262 

 COUNSEL: NONE 

 HEARING DESIRED: NO 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: 

 

1. His separation and reenlistment eligibility (RE) codes be 
changed so that he can reenter the Air Force. 

 

2. His uncharacterized entry-level separation be changed to an 
honorable discharge. 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: 

 

He did not fully understand this type of discharge would prohibit 
him from future military service. 

 

He was suffering from a mental hardship dealing with his father’s 
terminal illness, and had a hard time staying focused on his 
career specialty training. 

 

He was told that he would be able to reenter the military after 
six months. He went to see a recruiter in Jan 09, and was told 
the code on his DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge 
from Active Duty, is prohibiting him from joining the military. 

 

In support of his request, the applicant provides a personal 
statement, and his DD Form 214. 

 

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

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

STATEMENT OF FACTS: 

 

The applicant enlisted in the Air Force on 8 Dec 99. He was 
progressively promoted to the grade of airman. 

 

On 5 Apr 00, the applicant was notified by his squadron commander 
that he was recommending he be discharged from the Air Force for 
unsatisfactory performance – failure to make satisfactory 
progress in a required training program. The reason for the 
proposed action was the applicant was eliminated from the 
Security Forces technical training course for academic deficiency 
after failing Block II three times with scores of 68, 36, and 44, 
the minimum passing score is 70. Prior to applicant’s 
disenrollment, he was counseled concerning his academic failure 
and received three hours of Special Individualized Assistance. 


Efforts to improve his performance were met with negative 
results. 

 

The applicant acknowledged receipt of the discharge notification, 
and waived his right to consult with counsel, and to submit 
statements in his own behalf. The base legal office found the 
case legally sufficient to support the separation. The discharge 
authority approved the separation, and on 11 Apr 00, the 
applicant received an uncharacterized entry level separation, by 
reason of entry-level performance and conduct, and was issued an 
RE code of 2C (Involuntarily separated with an uncharacterized 
entry-level separation). He served on active duty for a period 
of four months and four days. 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

AIR FORCE EVALUATION: 

 

HQ AFPC/DPSOS recommends denial. DPSOS states that based on the 
documentation on file in the master personnel records, the 
discharge, to include the service characterization, was 
appropriately administered and within the discretion of the 
discharge authority. The applicant provided no evidence of an 
error or injustice in the processing of his discharge warranting 
a change to his character of service, separation code, or 
narrative reason for separation. 

 

The complete DPSOS evaluation is at Exhibit C. 

 

HQ AFPC/DPSOA recommends denial of the applicant’s request for a 
change in his RE code. The 2C RE code is the only authorized RE 
code for members who receive an entry level separation with an 
uncharacterized character of service. 

 

The complete DPSOA evaluation is at Exhibit D. 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: 

 

On 22 May 09, copies of the Air Force evaluations were forwarded 
to the applicant for review and comment within 30 days. To date, 
a response has not been received. 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

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. The 


applicant has provided no evidence showing that his separation 
and RE codes are in error or contrary to the prevailing 
instruction. The applicant’s discharge appears to be in 
compliance with the governing instruction and we find no evidence 
to indicate that his separation was inappropriate. Therefore, 
his uncharacterized character of service is correct and in 
accordance with DoD and Air Force instructions. An entry-level/ 
uncharacterized separation should not be viewed as negative and 
should not be confused with other types of separation. The RE 
code which was issued at the time of the applicant’s separation 
accurately reflects the circumstances of his separation and we do 
not find this code to be in error or unjust. We therefore, 
conclude that no basis exists upon which to recommend favorable 
action on his request that it be changed. Therefore, in the 
absence of persuasive evidence to the contrary, we adopt the 
rationale provided by the Air Force offices of primary 
responsibility as the basis for our conclusion that the applicant 
has not been the victim of an error or injustice and conclude 
that no basis exists to recommend granting the relief sought in 
this application. 

 

4. Notwithstanding the above, after reviewing the applicant’s 
submission and the evidence of record, we are persuaded that some 
relief is warranted. We note the discharge action taken against 
the applicant was in accordance with the applicable instruction. 
However, we find the narrative reason for his entry level 
separation; i.e., entry level performance and conduct, to be 
unjust. In our deliberations of this case, it appears to us the 
words “and conduct” could be misconstrued to infer his separation 
for academic deficiency was also due to misconduct. While the 
applicant may have had problems progressing in the required 
technical training courses, we have seen no evidence of 
misconduct. Therefore, in order to correct an injustice of 
improperly labeling the applicant, his narrative reason for 
separation should be corrected to accurately reflect the 
circumstances of his separation. In view of the foregoing, we 
recommend the applicant’s records be corrected by deleting the 
words “and conduct” from his narrative reason for separation. 

 

______________________________________________________________ 

 

THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT: 

 

The pertinent military records of the Department of the Air Force 
relating to APPLICANT, be corrected to show that the DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, issued in 
conjunction with his entry level separation on 11 April 2000, be, 
and hereby is, amended by deleting the words “and conduct” from 
Block 28 (Narrative Reason for Separation). 

 

_______________________________________________________________ 

 

The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket Number 
BC-2009-00262 in Executive Session on 26 Aug 09, under the 
provisions of AFI 36-2603: 

 


, Panel Chair 

, Member 

, Member 

 

All members voted to correct the records, as recommended. The 
following documentary evidence pertaining to Docket Number 
BC-2009-00262 was considered: 

 

 Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 11 Feb 09, w/atchs. 

 Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Personnel Records. 

 Exhibit C. Letter, AFPC/DPSOS, dated 8 Apr 09. 

 Exhibit D. Letter, AFPC/DPSOA, dated 7 May 09. 

 Exhibit E. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 22 May 09. 

 

 

 

 

 

 Panel Chair 

 

 


 

AFBCMR BC-2009-00262 

 

 

 

 

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 the DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, 
issued in conjunction with his entry level separation on 11 April 2000, be, and hereby is, amended 
by deleting the words “and conduct” from Block 28 (Narrative Reason for Separation). 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Director 

 Air Force Review Boards Agency