RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 

AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS 

 

 

IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2010-02134 

 

 COUNSEL: NONE 

 

 HEARING DESIRED: NO 

 

 

________________________________________________________________ 

 

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: 

 

Her entry-level separation with uncharacterized service be 
upgraded to an honorable discharge, and her Reentry (RE) and 
separation program designator (SPD) codes be changed. 

 

________________________________________________________________ 

 

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: 

 

She was disqualified from active duty and discharged due to her 
diagnosis of eczema; however, the diagnosis is erroneous. Since 
her discharge, a dermatologist concluded that she suffers from 
simple dandruff—not eczema. She would like the opportunity to 
continue her service. 

 

In support of her request, the applicant provides an expanded 
statement and copies of excerpts of her military personnel 
records, service medical records, and civilian medical records. 

 

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

 

________________________________________________________________ 

 

STATEMENT OF FACTS: 

 

The applicant’s military personnel records indicate she enlisted 
in the Regular Air Force on 17 Feb 10 for a period of six years. 

 

On 5 May 10, the applicant was notified by her commander of his 
intent to recommend her discharge from the Air Force for 
erroneous enlistment. The specific reason for the action was a 
determination that she did not meet minimum medical standards to 
enlist and should not have been allowed to join the Air Force 
because of her eczema. 

 

On 9 May 10, the applicant acknowledged receipt of the action, 
waived her right to legal counsel, and elected not to submit a 
statement in her behalf. 

 


On 11 May 10, the applicant was furnished an entry-level 
separation with uncharacterized service with a narrative reason 
for separation of “Failed Medical/Physical Procurement 
Standards.” She was credited with 2 months and 25 days of total 
active service. 

 

The remaining relevant facts pertaining to this application are 
described in the letters prepared by the Air Force offices of 
primary responsibility (OPR) which are attached at Exhibits C 
through E. 

 

________________________________________________________________ 

 

AIR FORCE EVALUATION: 

 

AFPC/DPSOA recommends the applicant’s RE code be changed to 3K 
(Secretarial Authority), indicating she was erroneously issued 
an RE code of 4C (Separated for concealment of juvenile records, 
minority, failure to meet physical standards for enlistment, 
failure to attain a 9.0 reading grade level, or void 
enlistments). The applicant should have been issued an RE code 
of 2C (Involuntarily separated with an honorable discharge; or 
entry-level separation with uncharacterized of service) as 
required by AFI 36-2606, Reenlistments in the USAF. However, 
given the circumstances surrounding her discharge, the 
applicant’s RE code should be changed to 3K (Secretarial 
Authority) so she may pursue re-enlistment, provided she is 
otherwise qualified. 

 

A complete copy of the AFPC/DPSOA evaluation is at Exhibit C. 

 

AFPC/DPSOS recommends denial with respect to the applicant’s 
request to change her character of service to honorable, 
indicating there is no evidence of an error or injustice. 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. Airmen are given entry-level separation 
with uncharacterized service when separation is initiated within 
the first 180 days of continuous active service. The Department 
of Defense (DoD) determined that it would be unfair to the 
department or the member to characterize a member’s limited 
service when such service is less than 180 days. Therefore, her 
character of service is correct and in accordance with DoD and 
Air Force instructions. 

 

A complete copy of the AFPC/DPSOS evaluation is at Exhibit D. 

 

AETC/SGPS recommends that relief be granted, indicating that 
while her separation processing was done in accordance with 
established policy and administrative procedures, her current 
diagnosis is not medically disqualifying; therefore, they 
believe changing her RE code and narrative reason for separation 
to allow her to re-enter military service is appropriate. 

 


A complete copy of the AETC/SGPS evaluation is at Exhibit E. 

 

________________________________________________________________ 

 

APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: 

 

The applicant re-affirms her contention that she does not suffer 
from the condition which caused her inordinate involuntary 
separation from the Air Force. In support of her response, she 
provides an expanded statement and a copy of a supporting 
statement. The applicant’s complete response, with attachment, 
is at Exhibit G. 

 

________________________________________________________________ 

 

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 with respect 
to the applicant’s type of separation and character of service. 
After a thorough review of the evidence of record and the 
applicant’s complete submission, we do not believe she was the 
victim of an error or injustice in this regard. In this 
respect, we note the comments by AFPC/DPSOS indicating that she 
was appropriately furnished an entry-level separation with 
uncharacterized service because her separation was initiated 
within the first six months of continuous active service in 
accordance with established DoD and Air Force policy. 
Therefore, we find no basis to recommend granting her request 
for an honorable discharge. Notwithstanding the above, 
sufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate 
the existence of an error or injustice to warrant correction of 
her RE and SPD codes and narrative reason for separation. After 
a thorough review of the evidence of record and the applicant’s 
complete submission, we believe the applicant has raised 
sufficient doubt as to the accuracy of the diagnosis that 
resulted in her physical disqualification, and ultimately, her 
involuntary entry-level separation from the Air Force. In this 
respect we note the comments by both AETC/SGPS and AFPC/DPSOA 
indicating that while her entry-level separation was carried out 
in accordance with the prescribing directive, the applicant’s 
medical condition is not disqualifying and she should be 
permitted to apply for re-enlistment. Therefore, to preclude 
the possibility of an injustice to the applicant, we recommend 
the applicant’s 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 the APPLICANT be corrected to show that on 
11 May 2010, she was separated with an uncharacterized entry-
level separation under the provisions of AFI 36-3208, paragraph 
1.2 (Secretarial Authority) with a separation code of JFF and a 
reenlistment eligibility (RE) code of 3K. 

 

________________________________________________________________ 

 

The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket 
Number BC-2010-02134 in Executive Session on 6 Oct 11, under the 
provisions of AFI 36-2603: 

 

 

 

The following documentary evidence was considered: 

 

 Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 8 Jun 10, w/atchs. 

 Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Personnel Records. 

 Exhibit C. Letter, AFPC/DPSOA, dated 3 Dec 10. 

 Exhibit D. Letter, AFPC/DPSOS, dated 1 Feb 11. 

 Exhibit E. Letter, AETC/SGPS, dated 10 Feb 11. 

 Exhibit F. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 31 Aug 11. 

 Exhibit G. Letter, Applicant, dated 18 Sep 11, w/atch. 

 

 

 

 

 

 Panel Chair