Service
RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS


IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER:  BC-2013-04729

		COUNSEL:  NONE

		HEARING DESIRED:  NO 



APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

His reentry (RE) code "2C" (Involuntarily separated with an 
honorable discharge; or entry-level separation without service 
characterization of service) be changed to allow him to reenter 
military service.


APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

At the time of his discharge, he was treated unfairly.  He failed 
to pass his Block 1 Unit retest with the minimum passing score; 
and was not provided an opportunity to reclassify into another air 
force specialty code (AFSC).  Instead, he was discharged and given 
an RE code that makes him ineligible to reenter military service.

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


STATEMENT OF FACTS:

On 8 Mar 11, the applicant commenced his enlistment in the Regular 
Air Force.

On 7 Jul 11, the applicant’s commander notified him that he was 
recommending his discharge from the Air Force for entry-level 
performance or conduct for failing to make satisfactory progress 
in a required training program (Air Crew Fundamentals Course).  
The specific reason for the discharge action was on 20 May 11, the 
applicant failed Block 1, Unit 6, Test A, with a score of 72 
percent; and on 1 Jun 11, he failed the Block 1, Unit 6, Test B, 
retest with a score 82.5 percent.  The required passing minimum 
score was 85 percent.  It was further noted that the applicant 
received individual counseling and was washed back in an effort to 
assist the applicant in successfully completing his training.  He 
was academically eliminated from training on 2 Jun 11. 

On 7 Jul 11, the applicant acknowledged receipt of the 
notification and waived his right to consult with legal counsel or 
to submit a statement in his own behalf.
The legal office reviewed the case and found it legally sufficient 
to support separation and recommended the applicant be furnished 
an entry-level separation.

The discharge authority concurred with the commander’s 
recommendation and the applicant was furnished an entry-level 
separation with uncharacterized service on 14 Jul 11.  He was 
credited with four months and seven days of total active service.


AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

AFPC/DPSOA recommends denial noting the applicant has not provided 
any evidence of an error or injustice regarding his RE code.  The 
applicant received the appropriate RE code based him receiving an 
entry-level separation with uncharacterized service in accordance 
with AFI 36-2602, Reenlistments in the USAF.

A complete copy of the AFPC/DPSOA evaluation is at Exhibit C.

AFPC/DPSOR recommends denial noting the documentation in the 
applicant’s master personnel records indicates the discharge, to 
include the type of separation, separation code, narrative reason 
for separation, and character of service, was appropriately 
administered and was within the discretion of the discharge 
authority.  The applicant has not provided any evidence or 
identified any error or injustices that occurred in the discharge 
processing.  Airmen are given an entry-level separation with 
uncharacterized service when separation is initiated in the first 
180 days of continuous active service. 

A complete copy of the AFPC/DPSOR evaluation is at Exhibit D.

2 AF/TTOC notes at the time of the applicant’s elimination from 
training, AETC was experiencing an increased number of eliminees 
from initial skills training (IST), which created increased 
operating cost and overproduction.  Furthermore, reclassifications 
were limited.  In fact, reclassification is not an entitlement it 
is the exception rather than the rule.  The applicant’s enlistment 
contract noted if he failed to complete training due to academic 
deficiency his enlistment agreement would be voided and he may 
involuntarily discharged, or reclassified into another AFSC based 
on the needs of the service.  Several airmen were not reclassified 
after failing their initial skills training.  The applicant was 
offered individual counseling and training washback to assist in 
succeeding in his recruited AFSC.

2 AF/TTOC recommends changing the applicant’s RE code to 3A (First 
term Airman “involuntarily separated” (entry-level) for inability 
to satisfactorily progress in a required training program without 
characterization of service; or first-term Airman “involuntarily 
separated” for failure to progress in military training required 
to be qualified for service with the Air Force or for performance 
of primary duties) to preclude the possibility of an injustice.  
While the RE code the applicant received at the time of his 
separation was technically correct, it does not appropriately 
apply to servicemembers who were eliminated academically from IST 
early during their first term.  Furthermore, the RE code of 2C 
carries a negative connotation with unintended or unfair secondary 
consequences for the servicemember.  2 AF/TTOC believes the RE 
code of 3A is more appropriate for servicemembers who were 
academically eliminated from IST.  This would provide the 
servicemember an opportunity to continue to serve with a waiver, 
whereas the RE code of 2C would not. 


APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

Copies of the Air Force evaluations were forwarded to the 
applicant on 2 Jul 14 for review and comment within 30 days 
(Exhibit E).  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 timely filed.

3.  Sufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate 
the existence of an injustice.  We took notice of the applicant's 
complete submission in judging the merits of the case and agree 
with the opinion and recommendation of the 2 AF/TTOC and adopt its 
rationale as the basis for our conclusion that relief should be 
granted.  As we agree with the 2 AF/TTOC determination that the 3A 
Re-entry (RE) code is more appropriate to the applicant’s 
circumstances (academic elimination from initial skills training), 
we are convinced that corrective action is warranted.  We note the 
applicant has requested an RE code that would render him 
immediately eligible for re-enlistment; however, in view of the 
fact the RE code of 3A is appropriate to his circumstances, we 
believe correcting his records in this manner is proper and 
fitting.  While we note the comments of 2 AF/TTOC indicating the 
applicant may be eligible to serve once again, whether or not the 
applicant is successful in doing so will be based entirely on the 
needs of the service, provided he is otherwise qualified.  
Therefore, we recommend the applicant’s 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 Re-entry (RE) code of “3A” (First term Airman “involuntarily 
separated” (entry-level) for inability to satisfactorily progress 
in a required training program without characterization of 
service; or first-term Airman “involuntarily separated” for 
failure to progress in military training required to be qualified 
for service with the Air Force or for performance of primary 
duties) in conjunction with his entry-level separation with 
uncharacterized service on 14 July 2011.


The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket Number 
BC-2013-04729 in Executive Session on 2 Sep 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, dated 15 Oct 13, w/atch.
	Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
	Exhibit C.  Letter, AFPC/DPSOA, dated 6 Jan 14.
Exhibit D.  Letter, AFPC/DPSOR, dated 29 Jan 14.
Exhibit E.  Letter, 2 AF/TTOC, dated 27 May 14.
Exhibit F.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 2 Jul 14.
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