RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 

AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS 

 

IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2010-01735 

 COUNSEL: NONE 

 HEARING DESIRED: NO 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: 

 

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

 

2. His reentry code of “4C” which denotes “Separated for 
concealment of juvenile records, minority, failure to meet 
physical standards for enlistment, failure to attain 9.0 reading 
grade level as measured by the Air Force Reading Abilities Test, 
or void enlistments” be changed to codes appropriate for an 
honorable discharge. 

 

3. His separation program designator (SPD) of “JFW”, which 
denotes “Failed Medical/Physical Procurement Standard”, be 
changed. 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: 

 

His discharge under the circumstances was erroneous because there 
was nothing more than one medical incident. This caused two 
medical providers to call into question his ability to complete 
basic training and caused his leadership to agree with their 
assessment. 

 

On 6 March 2005, he was discharged for Erroneous Enlistment after 
two medical providers determined he had passed out following a 
fitness test due to recurrent syncope, or fainting. The medical 
providers indicated on his SF 600, Chronological Record of 
Medical Care that his condition existed prior to his enlistment. 
No episodes of syncope were noted during his entrance physical 
administered by the Nashville Military Entrance Processing 
Station (MEPS). 

 

In support of his request, the applicant provides copies of his 
DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active 
Duty; AF IMT 100, Request and Authorization for Separation; his 
administrative discharge package, extracts of his medical 
records, and completion of training certificates. 

 

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

 

_________________________________________________________________ 


STATEMENT OF FACTS: 

 

On 15 February 2005, the applicant entered active duty in the 
Regular Air Force. 

 

On 2 March 2005, the applicant was notified by his commander that 
he was recommending his discharge from the Air Force under the 
provisions of AFI 36-3208, Administrative Separation of Airmen, 
Defective Enlistments – Basis for Erroneous Enlistment. The 
applicant was diagnosed as having syncope (recurrent). The 
applicant acknowledged receipt of the notification of discharge 
and waived his right to consult with legal counsel and to submit 
statements in his own behalf. 

 

The base legal office determined the case file was legally 
sufficient to support the separation. The discharge authority 
approved the discharge and directed the applicant be discharged 
with an uncharacterized entry-level separation under Erroneous 
Enlistment. 

 

On 8 March 2005, the applicant received an uncharacterized entry-
level separation, because of failed medical/physical procurement 
standards and was issued an RE code of 4C. He served 24 days on 
active duty. 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

AIR FORCE EVALUATION: 

 

AETC/SGPS recommends denial. SGPS states the separation was done 
in accordance with established policy and administrative 
procedures. Around 1 March 2005, the applicant was admitted and 
diagnosed with recurrent syncope. It was noted in his medical 
file the condition existed prior to entering the service and was 
not disclosed to the MEPS. 

 

The complete SGPS evaluation is at Exhibit C 

 

AFPC/DPSOS recommends denial. DPSOS states based on the 
documentation in the applicant’s records, the discharge was 
consistent with the procedural and substantive requirements of 
the discharge regulation and was within the discretion of the 
discharge authority. He did not submit any evidence or identify 
any errors or injustices that occurred in the discharge 
processing, and he did not provide any facts warranting a change 
to his uncharacterized service. The applicant’s discharge is 
considered “Entry-Level” and his character of service is correct 
and in accordance with DoD and Air Force instructions. 

 

The complete DPSOS evaluation is at Exhibit D. 

 

AFPC/DPSOA states the applicant’s RE code “4C” is erroneous and 
will be administratively corrected with an RE code of “2C” which 


denotes “Involuntarily separated with an honorable discharge; or 
entry level separation without characterization of service.” 

 

The complete DPSOA evaluation is at Exhibit F. 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

APPLICANT’S REVIEW OF THE AIR FORCE EVALUATIONS: 

 

The applicant states he has never had a fainting spell before or 
since the incident while in basic training. To prove his request, 
he has provided his medical records dating back to 2001. The 
uncharacterized discharge has rendered him ineligible for certain 
jobs he has applied for. The type of discharge he received is 
affecting him furthering his career. If his discharge is not 
upgraded, he would like documentation explaining that an entry-
level discharge is not a dishonorable discharge from the Air 
Force. 

 

The applicant’s complete response, with attachments, is at 
Exhibit H. 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

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 that would 
warrant a change to the applicant’s discharge and RE code. We 
took notice of the applicant’s complete submission in judging the 
merits of the case; however, we agree with the opinions and 
recommendations of the Air Force 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. We note that AFPC/DPSOA indicates the appropriate 
RE code that should have been assigned at the time of the 
applicant’s separation is “2C” based on his entry level 
separation with an uncharacterized character of service; and, 
that they will administratively correct his record to reflect the 
correct RE code. In regards to the applicant’s concern about the 
stigma of uncharacterized service, we note the entry level 
separation should not be regarded as negative or dishonorable 
because airmen are given an entry level separation with 
uncharacterized service when separation is initiated in the first 
180 days of continuous active service. The Department of Defense 
(DoD) determined if a member served less than 180 days of 
continuous active service, it would be unfair to the member and 
the service to characterize their limited service. Therefore, in 


view of the above and in the absence of evidence to the contrary, 
we find no basis to recommend granting the relief sought in this 
application. 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

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 AFBCMR Docket 
Number BC-2010-01735 in Executive Session on 9 March 2011, under 
the provisions of AFI 36-2603: 

 

Panel Chair 

Member 

Member 

 

The following documentary evidence was considered: 

 

 Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 4 May 10, w/atchs. 

 Exhibit B. Applicant’s Master Personnel Records. 

 Exhibit C. Letter, AETC/SGPS, dated 26 May 10. 

 Exhibit D. Letter, AFPC/DPSOS, dated 9 Nov 10. 

 Exhibit E. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 14 Jan 11. 

 Exhibit F. Letter, AFPC/DPSOA, dated 1 Feb 11. 

 Exhibit G. Letter, AFBCMR, dated 2 Feb 11. 

 Exhibit H. Applicant’s Response, undated, w/atchs. 

 

 

 

 

 

 Panel Chair