RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 

AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS 

 

IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2011-02390 

 

 COUNSEL: NONE 

 

 HEARING DESIRED: NO 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: 

 

1. His entry-level separation with uncharacterized service be 
upgraded to an honorable discharge. 

 

2. The narrative reason for separation on his DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, be changed 
to reflect “Financial Difficulty” rather than “Personality 
Disorder.” 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: 

 

He is requesting an honorable discharge based on his overall good 
standing while on active service. He was evaluated by a 
psychologist who found no evidence of a personality disorder. He 
would like to reenter military service. 

 

In support of his request, the applicant provides a copy of his 
DD Form 214 and letter of evaluation from his psychologist. 

 

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

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

STATEMENT OF FACTS: 

 

On 27 Aug 02, the applicant contracted his enlistment in the 
Regular Air Force. 

 

On 28 Jan 03, 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 on 15 Jan 03 with adjustment disorder 
which severely impacted his ability to function effectively in a 
military environment. 

 

His commander advised him of his rights in this matter. On 
28 Jan 03, he acknowledged receipt of the notification of 
discharge and, after consulting with legal counsel, waived his 
right to submit a statement in his own behalf. 


On 6 Feb 03, the legal office reviewed the case and found it 
legally sufficient to support separation and recommended 
separation with an honorable discharge without probation and 
rehabilitation. 

 

On 10 Feb 03, the discharge authority concurred with the 
commander’s recommendation and directed the applicant be 
furnished an entry-level separation. 

 

On 11 Feb 03, the applicant was furnished an entry-level 
separation with uncharacterized service and was credited with 5 
months and 15 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. 

 

As for his request for an honorable discharge, 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. Therefore, the applicant was appropriately furnished an 
entry-level separation with uncharacterized service. 

 

The complete AFPC/DPSOS evaluation is at Exhibit C. 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

APPLICANT REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: 

 

A copy of the Air Force evaluation was forwarded to the applicant 


on 4 Nov 11 for review and comment within 30 days (Exhibit D). 
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. Insufficient relevant evidence has been presented to 
demonstrate the existence of an injustice or error warranting 
upgrading the applicant’s entry-level separation with 
uncharacterized service to an honorable discharge. We took 
notice of the applicant’s complete submission in judging the 
merits of the case; however, we find no evidence of an error or 
injustice that occurred during the discharge process. Based on 
the available evidence of record, it appears the applicant’s 
entry-level separation with uncharacterized service was 
consistent with the substantive requirements of the governing 
instructions and within the commander’s discretionary authority. 
He has provided no evidence which would lead us to believe his 
entry-level separation with uncharacterized service was improper 
or contrary to the provisions of the governing directive. 
Notwithstanding the above, sufficient relevant evidence has been 
presented to demonstrate the existence of an error or injustice 
warranting a change to the narrative reason for separation and 
separation program designator (SPD) issued in conjunction with 
the applicant’s entry level separation. In this respect, 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 
believe that changing his narrative reason for separation and SPD 
code to reflect “Secretarial Authority” and “KFF,” respectively, 
represents full and fitting relief. Therefore, we recommend his 
records be corrected as 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 in 
conjunction with his entry-level separation on 11 February 2003, 
he was issued a narrative reason for his separation of 
"Secretarial Authority," rather than "Personality Disorder," and 
a separation program designator (SPD) code of "KFF," rather than 
"JFX." 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket 
Number BC-2011-02390 in Executive Session on 9 Feb 12, under the 
provisions of AFI 36-2603: 

 

 , Panel Chair 

 , Member 

 , Member 

 

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

 

 Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 3 Jun 11, w/atchs. 

 Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Personnel Records. 

 Exhibit C. Letter, AFPC/DPSOS, dated 3 Oct 11. 

 Exhibit D. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 4 Nov 11. 

 

 

 

 

 

 Panel Chair