RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 

AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS 

 

IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2010-04634 

 

 COUNSEL: NONE 

 

 HEARING DESIRED: NO 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: 

 

His reenlistment (RE) code of “2C” (Involuntarily separated with 
an honorable discharge, or entry-level separation without 
characterization of service) be changed to allow him to reenter 
military service. It appears he is also requesting his narrative 
reason for separation be changed 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: 

 

The RE code he received was unjust because the basis for 
receiving the code was incorrect. He was young, afraid, and 
inexperienced when he requested to leave military service. That 
is no longer the case and he wishes for a second chance to serve. 

 

In support of his appeal, applicant provides a statement from his 
mother and a character reference from his Pastor. 

 

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

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

STATEMENT OF FACTS: 

 

On 30 Jul 02, the applicant contracted his enlistment in the 
Regular Air Force. 

 

On 22 Aug 02, the applicant’s commander notified him that he was 
recommending his discharge from the Air Force for mental 
disorders. The specific reason for the discharge action was the 
applicant was diagnosed with a condition that interfered with 
military service. The applicant was evaluated by mental health 
and was diagnosed with an Adjustment Disorder Unspecified. 

 

His commander advised him of his rights in this matter. The 
applicant acknowledged receipt of the notification and waived his 


right to consult with legal counsel and to submit a statement in 
his own behalf. 

 

The legal office reviewed the case and found it legally 
sufficient to support separation and recommended the applicant be 
furnished an entry-level separation with uncharacterized service. 

 

The discharge authority directed that applicant’s entry-level 
separation with uncharacterized service and he was discharged on 
28 Aug 02. He served 29 days of active service. 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

AIR FORCE EVALUATION: 

 

AFPC/DPSOS recommends the applicant’s narrative reason for 
separation and SPD code be administratively corrected to reflect 
“Secretarial Authority” and “KFF,” respectively, indicating that 
prior to 2003, the Services characterized all individuals 
discharged due to mental disorders under a blanket Separation 
Program Designator (SPD) code “JFX” with a narrative reason for 
separation of “Personality Disorder.” The SPD code and narrative 
reason did not properly distinguish the other mental disorders 
(adjustment disorder, impulse control disorder, or other 
disorders) for which a service member could be separated. In 
December 2003, the services met with the Office of the Secretary 
of Defense (OSD) and requested the establishment of additional 
and more specific SPD identifiers to more clearly designate the 
type of mental disorders as defined above. On 21 Sep 04, OSD 
released the updated standardized SPD codes, including the 
additional codes for more specific mental disorders. 

 

Airmen are given an entry-level separation when separation is 
initiated in the first 180 days of continuous active service. 
The Department of Defense (DoD) determined if a service member 
served less than 180 days of continuous active service, it would 
be unfair to the service member and the service to characterize 
their limited service. 

 

The complete AFPC/DPSOS evaluation is at Exhibit C. 

 

AFPC/DPSOA recommends denial of the applicant’s request to change 
his RE code. DPSOA states that even though DPSOS recommends 
correcting the applicant’s narrative reason for separation due to 
the change in guidance after the applicant was separated, DPSOS 
also validated the applicant’s discharge processing was correct 
and that his entry-level separation with uncharacterized service 
was carried out appropriately. Accordingly, the RE code “2C” is 
required per the governing instructions and is based on his 
receipt of an entry-level separation. 

 


The complete AFPC/DPSOA evaluation is at Exhibit D. 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

APPLICANT REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: 

 

Copies of the Air Force evaluations were forwarded to the 
applicant on 29 Apr 11 for review and comment within 30 days. As 
of this date, no response has been received by this office. 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

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. Sufficient relevant evidence has been presented to 
demonstrate the existence of an error or injustice warranting a 
correction of the applicant’s narrative reason for separation. 
While we agree with the opinion of the Air Force office of 
primary responsibility that insufficient evidence exists to 
warrant a correction to the applicant’s assigned Reentry (RE) 
code of 2C, we note the narrative reason for separation of 
“Personality Disorder” was used for all unsuiting mental health 
disorders at the time of the applicant’s discharge, even in cases 
such as his when the diagnosis was adjustment disorder, not 
personality disorder. “Personality Disorder” did not properly 
distinguish the other mental disorders for which a service member 
could be separated. While not available during the time the 
applicant was discharged, “Adjustment Disorder” was eventually 
approved as a valid reason for separation in February 2007. 
Although action and disposition of the applicant’s case appears 
to be in compliance with the Air Force directives in effect at 
the time of his discharge, we believe it would be an injustice 
for the applicant to continue to suffer the stigma of such a 
characterization. Accordingly, we recommend that his 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 at the time of 
his entry-level separation on August 28, 2002, the narrative 
reason for his separation was “Secretarial Authority,” with a 
Separation Program Designator (SPD) code of “KFF.” 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 


The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket Number 
BC-2010-04634 in Executive Session on 16 Aug 11, under the 
provisions of AFI 36-2603: 

 

 , Panel Chair 

 , Member 

 , Member 

 

All members of the Board voted to correct the records as 
recommended. The following documentary evidence was considered: 

 

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

 Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Military Personnel Records. 

 Exhibit C. Letter, HQ AFPC/DPSOS, dated 15 Mar 10. 

 Exhibit D. Letter, HQ AFPC/DPSOA, dated 4 Apr 11. 

 Exhibit E. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 29 Apr 11. 

 

 

 

 

 

 Panel Chair