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 applicants 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 applicants 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.
________________________________________________________________
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 applicants
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 applicants 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.
________________________________________________________________
APPLICANTS 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
grandfathers illness and subsequent death was the cause of his
Adjustment Disorder.
The applicants 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
applicants 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
applicants 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 applicants 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 applicants 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 applicants 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.
________________________________________________________________
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.
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