RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 

AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS 

 

 

IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2011-02847 

 COUNSEL: NONE 

 HEARING DESIRED: YES 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: 

 

1. Her entry level separation be changed to an honorable 
discharge. 

 

2. Her narrative reason for separation (Termination of Initial 
Active Duty Training) be changed. 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: 

 

While in basic training she became sick and was told that she had 
bronchitis. She returned to the medical clinic for complications 
of fatigue, a constant cough and shortness of breath and was told 
if she returned to the clinic that she would be referred to 
psychological services. She eventually was diagnosed with 
hyperthyroidism. She believes she was eligible for disability 
processing and should have met a Medical Evaluation Board (MEB). 

 

In support of her request, the applicant submits a personal 
statement, a copy of a complaint entry form and a 
192 FSF/Separations memo. 

 

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

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

STATEMENT OF FACTS: 

 

The applicant enlisted in the Regular Air Force on 27 April 2010. 

 

On 2 July 2010, the applicant was released from active duty with 
an entry level separation under the provisions of AFI 36-3209 - 
Termination of Initial Active Duty Training. She served 2 months 
and 6 days on active duty. 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

 

 

 


AIR FORCE EVALUATION: 

 

The AFBCMR Medical Consultant recommends denial. The Medical 
Consultant states he has not been supplied medical documentation 
of the applicant’s episodes of care or any other objective 
medical evidence upon which an independent analysis of her 
fitness to serve or her eligibility for disability processing can 
be made. Therefore, absent evidence to the contrary, there is a 
presumption of regularity that proper procedures were undertaken 
in narrative reason for the applicant’s discharge and the 
authority under which it was executed. Nevertheless, had the 
applicant indeed been diagnosed with hyperthyroidism during her 
brief period of active service and the condition interfered with 
her ability to perform her duties, the Medical Consultant opines 
the physiologic mechanisms responsible for such a diagnosis, 
discovered after such a short period of service, more likely than 
not existed prior to her service entry; and, therefore, would 
likely have been found not in line of duty. Additionally, the 
Medical Consultant found no basis in science or evidence that her 
reported hyperthyroidism was permanently aggravated by military 
service. This is the likely reason the applicant was not 
eligible for processing as a compensable disability under AFI 36-
3212. Thus, she was instead “medically disqualified” for 
continued military service under AFI 36-3209, “ineligibility for 
worldwide deployment-medical disqualification.” Although the 
applicant reportedly experienced respiratory symptoms, and was 
reportedly diagnosed with “bronchitis,” the Medical Consultant 
opines this was an unlikely reason for termination of her 
military service. 

 

Addressing the applicant’s character of service, as depicted on 
both her DD Form 214 and NGB Form 22, the Medical Consultant 
notes this has been entered as “entry level.” The Medical 
Consultant opines the appropriate designation would be an 
“uncharacterized” character of service; a designation which is 
assigned when, within 180 days of active service, a member has 
been unable to complete training [in this instance Basic Military 
Training] due to deficiencies in conduct, performance, or 
behavior; or who have a medical condition that interferes with 
service, but is believed to have existed prior to entry upon 
active service without permanent aggravation by military service. 

 

The Medical Consultant did get a sense of possible emotional 
maltreatment or unprofessional conduct on the part of one or more 
medical providers, noting the veiled threat on the applicant’s 
Complaint Entry Form, which reads: “Doctor Reese advised me 
previously that if I returned I would be referred to BAS 
(Behavioral Assessment Service)” and the alleged “disrespectful 
tone” of a provider who reportedly told her she was “diagnosed 
with Hyperthyroidism and [that she] belonged at the 319th medical 
squadron.” However, the Consultant finds that validation of 
these complaints would be more appropriately addressed at the 
level of the Medical Facility Commander or Inspector General; the 


results of which are unlikely to have a bearing upon the 
requested action. Thus, the Medical Consultant opines the 
applicant has not met the burden of proof of an error or 
injustice that warrants the desired change of the record. 

 

The Medical Consultant’s complete evaluation is at Exhibit C. 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: 

 

On 16 March 2012, a copy of the Medical Consultant’s evaluation 
was forwarded to the applicant for review and comment within 
30 days (Exhibit D). As of this date, this office has received 
no response. 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

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 warranting her 
character of service changed to honorable and her narrative 
reason for separation changed. We took notice of the applicant's 
complete submission in judging the merits of the case; however, 
we agree with the opinion and the recommendation of the BCMR 
Medical Consultant and adopt his rationale as the basis for our 
conclusion the applicant has failed to sustain his burden of 
proof of the existence of an error or injustice. Therefore, in 
the absence of evidence to the contrary, we find no basis to 
recommend granting the relief sought. 

 

4. Notwithstanding the above, we note that some relief is 
warranted. The BCMR Medical Consultant notes the character of 
service reflected on the applicant’s DD Form 214 and NGB Form 
22 is incorrect. The applicant’s character of service should 
reflect “uncharacterized” rather than “entry level” a designation 
which is assigned when, within 180 days of active service a 
member has been unable to complete training due to deficiencies 
in conduct performance, or behavior, or who have a medical 
condition that interferes with service, but is believed to have 
existed prior to entry upon active service without permanent 
aggravation by military service. In view of the foregoing, we 
recommend the applicant’s records be corrected as indicated 
below. 

 

5. The applicant's case is adequately documented and it has not 
been shown that a personal appearance with or without counsel 


will materially add to our understanding of the issues involved. 
Therefore, the request for a hearing is not favorably considered. 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT: 

 

The pertinent military records of the Department of the Air Force 
relating to APPLICANT, be corrected to show that: 

 

 a. On 2 July 2010, she was discharged with service 
characterized as “Uncharacterized.” 

 

 b. The NGB Form 22, Item 24, Character of Service, reflect 
“Uncharacterized” rather than “Entry Level Separation.” 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket 
Number BC-2011-02847 in Executive Session on 17 April 2012, under 
the provisions of AFI 36-2603: 

 

 

All members voted to correct the records, as recommended. The 
following documentary evidence pertaining to AFBCMR Docket Number 
BC-2011-02847 was considered: 

 

 Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 28 July 2011, w/atchs. 

 Exhibit B. Applicant’s Master Personnel Records. 

 Exhibit C. Letter, AFBCMR Medical Consultant, 

 dated 16 March 2012. 

 Exhibit D. Letter, AFBCMR, dated 16 March 2012.