AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS 

RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 

DOCKET NUMBER:  BC-2012-00664 
COUNSEL:  NONE 
HEARING DESIRED:  NO 

 
IN THE MATTER OF: 
 
       
 
       
 
_________________________________________________________________ 
 
APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: 
 
His  narrative  reason  for  separation  be  changed  to  read  a 
temporary mental disability rather than personality disorder. 
 
_________________________________________________________________ 
 
APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: 
 
The applicant did not provide any contentions. 
 
In support of his appeal, the applicant provides a copy of his DD 
Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty. 
 
The  applicant's  complete  submission,  with  attachment,  is  at 
Exhibit A. 
 
_________________________________________________________________ 
 
STATEMENT OF FACTS: 
 
On  25  Jul  00,  the  applicant  contracted  his  enlistment  in  the 
Regular Air Force. 
 
On 27 Nov 00, the applicant’s commander notified him that he was 
recommending  his  discharge  from  the  Air  Force  for  Mental 
Disorder.  The specific reason for the discharge action was the 
diagnosis  by  Behavioral  Analysis  Service  (BAS)  with  a  Phase  of 
Life Problem, Bereavement.  BAS determined the applicant did not 
meet  the  standards  for  continued  military  service  and  that  his 
ability to function in the military was significantly impaired. 
 
His commander advised him of his rights in this matter; and on 
14 Dec 00, 
the 
notification, waived his right to consult with legal counsel or 
to submit a statement in his own behalf. 
 
The  legal  office  conducted  a  legal  review  and  the  staff  judge 
advocate (SJA) found the case legally sufficient to support and 
recommend  the  applicant  be  furnished  an  entry  level  separation 
with uncharacterized service. 
 

acknowledged 

receipt 

of 

the 

applicant 

On 18 Dec 00, the discharge authority directed the applicant be 
furnished  an  entry-level  separation  and,  on  21  Dec  00,  the 
applicant  was  furnished  an  entry-level  separation  with 
uncharacterized service and a narrative reason for separation of 
“Personality Disorder.”He was credited with 4 months and 27 days 
of total active service. 
 
_________________________________________________________________ 
 
AIR FORCE EVALUATION: 
 
AFPC/DPSOR  recommends  denial  noting  the  documentation  in  the 
applicant’s master personnel records indicates the discharge, to 
include the narrative reason for separation, was consistent with 
the  procedural  and  substantive  requirements  of  the  discharge 
instruction  and  was  within  the  discretion  of  the  discharge 
authority.  The mental evaluation indicated the applicant did not 
have  a  severe  mental  disorder  and  was  not  considered  mentally 
disordered.  However, the severe intensity of his grief-related 
symptoms  precluded  him  from  functioning  in  a  military 
environment.    Although  the  applicant  may  be  coping  well  in  his 
civilian capacity, it does not change the basis for which he was 
discharged.  The military environment is unique and the stressors 
encountered  in  this  environment  may  not  appear  or  surface  when 
removed  from  the  military  environment.    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 or the service to characterize their limited service. 
 
The complete AFPC/DPSOR evaluation is at Exhibit C. 
 
_________________________________________________________________ 
 
APPLICANT REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: 
 
A copy of the Air Force evaluation was forwarded to the applicant 
on 26 Jul 12 for review and comment within 30 days.  As of this 
date, no response has been received by this office (Exhibit F). 
 
_________________________________________________________________ 
 
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  injustice.    The  evidence  of 
record  indicates  the  separation  action  taken  against  the 

 

2 

applicant was in accordance with the applicable instruction and 
within the commander’s discretionary authority.  However, we note 
that at the time of the applicant’s separation, the Department of 
Defense  (DoD)  categorized  unsuiting  mental  conditions  under  the 
broad  heading  of  “personality  disorder.”    Therefore,  if  an 
individual  was  separated  with  an  unsuiting  mental  condition, 
“personality disorder” would be listed on the DD Form 214 as the 
narrative reason for separation.  However, DoD has since adjusted 
its policy such that mental conditions are no longer listed under 
one broad heading of personality disorder.  Based on the evidence 
of  record,  the  applicant  was  diagnosed  with  a  Phase  of  Life 
Problem  and  Bereavement,  and  not  a  personality  disorder.  
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 entry-level separation, we believe it would be an 
injustice for the applicant to continue to suffer the stigma of 
such a characterization.  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 he was issued 
a narrative reason for separation of “Secretarial Authority” and 
a  separation  program  designator  (SPD)  code  of  “KFF”  in 
conjunction with his 21 December 2000 entry-level separation with 
uncharacterized service." 
 
_________________________________________________________________ 
 
The  following  members  of  the  Board  considered  AFBCMR  Docket 
Number BC-2012-00664 in Executive Session on 20 Nov 12, under the 
provisions of AFI 36-2603: 
 
 
 
 
 
All  members  voted  to  correct  the  record  as  recommended.    The 
following documentary evidence was considered: 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 22 Mar 12, w/atch. 
Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Military Personnel Records. 
Exhibit C.  Letter, AFPC/DPSOR, dated 11 Jul 12. 
Exhibit D.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 26 Jul 12. 

  Chair 
  Member 
  Member 

 
Chair 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 

3