RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
         AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER:  BC-2013-03763
		COUNSEL:  NONE
		HEARING DESIRED: YES

_________________________________________________________________

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

1.  His narrative reason for separation of “Adjustment Disorder” 
be changed to “Secretarial Authority.”  

2.  His Reentry (RE) code of 2C (involuntarily separated with an 
honorable discharge; or entry level separation without 
characterization of service) be changed to “3K” (Secretarial 
Authority).

________________________________________________________________

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

His narrative reason for separation is inequitable because it 
implies that the military environment is the cause of his 
adjustment disorder; however, his troubles stemmed from his 
grandfather's terminal illness and separation from him during 
his imminent passing.  While this situation interfered with his 
ability to serve as an airman; it was a temporary condition and 
independent of the military environment.  This temporary 
condition is no longer present and should not bar him from 
entering the military.

If he is not granted an upgrade to his RE code, he will seek to 
serve as a civilian, likely through federal employment.  It is 
very likely that the incorrect narrative reason for discharge of 
"Adjustment Disorder," will adversely affect his ability to do 
so.  Therefore, he requests that it be changed on the basis of 
clemency.  It is inequitable for him to indefinitely suffer from 
the stigma of "Adjustment Disorder," which implies 
incompatibility with the military, not family hardship. 

Other service members in similar situations have been successful 
with having the narrative reason for separation changed and 
their RE code upgraded to Secretarial Authority and RE-3K, 
respectively.  This sets precedent for his situation. 
  
In support of his appeal, the applicant provides a personal 
statement, copies of his DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or 
Discharge from Active Duty, issued in conjunction with his 5 Nov 
12 separation, discharge package, AFBCMR Docket Numbers BC-2004-
02296, BC-2004-00938, BC-2001-3208, diplomas, certificates and 
various other documents associated with his requests.

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

________________________________________________________________

STATEMENT OF FACTS:

On 16 Oct 12, the applicant enlisted in the Regular Air Force, 
for a period of four years.  

According to a Mental Health Evaluation, dated 30 Oct 12, the 
Behavioral Analysis Service diagnosed the applicant as having an 
adjustment disorder, anxiety and depressed mood.  The Behavioral 
Analysis Service found that his disorder was severe enough that 
his ability to function in the military was significantly 
impaired.  

On 1 Nov 12, the applicant’s commander notified him that he was 
recommending his discharge from the Air Force for mental 
disorders.  The applicant acknowledged receipt of the 
notification of discharge and was advised of his right to 
consult with legal counsel and submit statements in his own 
behalf.  The discharge authority approved the separation and 
directed the applicant be discharged with an entry level 
separation.  

On 5 Nov 12, the applicant was discharged under the provisions 
of AFI 36-3208, Separation of Airmen, with a narrative reason 
for separation of “Adjustment Disorder,” with an RE code of 2C.  
He was credited with 20 days of active duty service.

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AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

AFPC/DPSOR recommends denial, stating, in part, that based on 
the documentation on file in the master personnel records, the 
discharge to include the narrative reason for separation and the 
RE code was consistent with the procedural and substantive 
requirements of the discharge instruction and was within the 
discretion of the discharge authority.  They found no evidence 
of an error or injustice in the processing of the applicant’s 
discharge.

Airmen are given an entry-level separation/uncharacterized 
service characterizations when separation is initiated in the 
first 180 days of continuous active service.  The Department of 
Defense (DoD) determined if a member served less than 180 days 
of continuous active service, it would be unfair to the member 
and the service to characterize their limited service.  
Therefore, the uncharacterized character of service on his DD 
Form 214 is correct and IAW DoD and Air Force instructions.

The complete DPSOR evaluation is at Exhibit C.

AFPC/DPSOA recommends denial of the applicant’s request to 
change his RE code, stating, in part, that the applicant's RE 
code 2C is required per AFI 36-2606, Reenlistments in the USAF, 
chapter 3, based on his entry level separation with 
uncharacterized service.  The applicant does not provide any 
proof of an error or injustice in reference to his RE code.  

The complete DPSOA evaluation is at Exhibit D.

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APPLICANT’S REVIEW OF THE AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

The applicant reiterates his original contentions that his 
narrative reason for separation and RE code is inequitable and 
should be changed.  His mental state at the time, his 
grandfather’s illness and subsequent death was the cause of his 
Adjustment Disorder.

The applicant’s complete response is at Exhibit F.

________________________________________________________________

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 error or injustice in regard to the 
applicant’s RE code.  We took notice of the applicant's complete 
submission in judging the merits of the case; however, we agree 
with the opinion and recommendation of the Air Force office of 
primary responsibility (DPSOA) and adopt its rationale as the 
basis for our conclusion the applicant has not been the victim 
of an error or injustice.  We note that the applicant submits 
evidence of excellent occupational functioning before and after 
his discharge; however, it does not predict that he will respond 
well to the stresses of military operations.  The applicant also 
asserts, in essence, that his appeal is similar to the three 
cases he provides in support of his requests and believes that 
relief is warranted using the same rationale.  However, we 
disagree.  We note that every case before this Board is 
considered on its own merit since the circumstances of each case 
are seldom identical.  After reviewing the cases provided by the 
applicant we do not find any of them comparable.  In this 
respect, we note that in BC-2004-02296, the request to change 
the RE code was denied, therefore, it does not support the 
applicant’s request to change his RE code.  In BC-2004-00938, 
the separation was based on unsatisfactory performance for 
failing in an Air Force training program, not for a mental 
disorder so it is not identical to the current case.  On the 
surface it appears BC-2001-03208 is similar to the current case.  
However, in BC-2001-03208, the wrong RE code of 2K, which 
denotes “formally notified by the unit commander of initiation 
of involuntary separation action” was assigned at the time of 
separation.  In view of the error, coupled with the military's 
need for volunteers in 2002, the Board found it in the interest 
of justice to change the RE code to 3K, Secretarial Authority.  
However, in the case before us the applicant’s RE code of 2C, 
assigned at the time of his separation is correct based on his 
entry-level separation with an uncharacterized character of 
service.  As such, we do not find the referenced cases support 
granting the applicant’s request to change his RE code.  

4.  Notwithstanding the above, sufficient relevant evidence has 
been presented to demonstrate the existence of an error or 
injustice warranting a correction to the applicant’s narrative 
reason for separation.  In this respect, we note the applicant 
had only completed 20 days of service in the Air Force when he 
received his uncharacterized service discharge.  We further 
note, based on the evidence provided, he appears to be thriving 
well in a post service environment.  The evidence provided also 
causes us to question if sufficient intervention was taken to 
address what may have caused his adjustment problems.  As such, 
we find it in the interest of justice to eliminate the possible 
stigma associated with his narrative reason for separation of 
“Adjustment Disorder.”  We believe changing his reason for 
separation to “Secretarial Authority” will accomplish this end 
and still preserve in the record his unsuitability for further 
active military service.  Accordingly, we recommend the record 
be corrected as set forth 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 issue(s) 
involved.  Therefore, the request for a hearing is not favorably 
considered.

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THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT:

The pertinent military records of the Department of the Air 
Force relating to APPLICANT, be corrected to show that on 
5 Nov 12, he was discharged under the provisions of AFI 36-3208, 
(Secretarial Authority) with a separation code of "KFF."

________________________________________________________________

The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket 
Number BC-2013-03763 in Executive Session on 8 Jul 14, 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, undated, w/atchs.
     Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
     Exhibit C.  Letter, AFPC/DPSOR, dated 28 Oct 13.
     Exhibit D.  Letter, AFPC/DPSOA, dated 26 Nov 13.
     Exhibit E.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 10 Jan 14.
     Exhibit F.  Letter, Applicant, dated 1 Feb 14, w/atch.