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AF | BCMR | CY2014 | BC 2014 00438
Original file (BC 2014 00438.txt) Auto-classification: Approved
RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS


IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER:  BC-2014-00438
		
		COUNSEL:  NONE
	
		HEARING DESIRED:  NO



APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

Her Separation Program Designator (SPD) code of “HRB” 
(homosexual conduct-statement) and Reenlistment Eligibility (RE) 
code of “2C” (Involuntarily separated with an honorable 
discharge) be changed to allow her to rejoin the Air Force.


APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

She was discharged solely on the basis of homosexual conduct and 
her case meets the criteria necessary to merit an upgrade under 
the current policy related to the repeal of the law commonly 
known as “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” (DADT).  

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


STATEMENT OF FACTS:

09 Sep 03, the applicant initially entered the Regular Air 
Force.

On 24 Jun 10, the applicant was furnished an honorable_ 
discharge and was credited with 6 years, 9 months and 16 days of 
active service.

On 10 Sep 11, the Under Secretary of Defense issued guidance 
pertaining to correction of military records requests resulting 
from the repeal of Title 10, Section 654, commonly known as 
“Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell (DADT).  In a memorandum, dated 20 Sep 
11, the Under Secretary of Defense published guidance that 
Service Discharge Review Boards should normally grant requests 
to change the narrative reason for discharge (the change should 
be to “Secretarial Authority”), requests to re-characterize the 
discharge to honorable, and/or request a change to the RE code 
to an immediately-eligible-to-reenter category when both of the 
following conditions are met: (1) the original discharge was 
based solely on DADT or a similar policy in place prior to 
enactment of DADT and (2) there were no aggravating factors in 
the record, such as misconduct.  Although each request must be 
evaluated on a case-by-case basis, the award of an honorable or 
general (under honorable conditions) discharge should normally 
be considered to indicate the absence of aggravating factors.

The remaining relevant facts pertaining to this application are 
described in the memoranda prepared by the Air Force offices of 
primary responsibility (OPR), which are included at Exhibits C 
and D.


AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

AFPC/DPSOR recommends granting relief, indicating sufficient 
evidence has been presented to demonstrate the existence of 
injustice.  The applicant’s discharge was based solely on DADT 
and did not involve aggravating factors.  The applicant freely 
and voluntarily informed her commander that she was a homosexual 
and subsequently submitted a letter to her commander asking to 
be discharged from the Air Force.  Due to the absence of any 
other aggravating factors, the applicant was furnished an 
honorable_ discharge.  Although the discharge was properly 
processed according to the applicable regulation, because the 
discharge was based solely on DADT, the board should approve the 
narrative reason for separation change to reflect “Secretarial 
Authority” and SPD code change to reflect “JFF.”  

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

AFPC/DPSOA recommends granting relief, indicating sufficient 
evidence has been presented to demonstrate the existence of an 
injustice.  Based on 10 Sep 11 guidance repealing DADT, requests 
to change RE code to 1J should be granted for members separated 
under DADT or similar policy that did not involve aggravating 
factors.  Therefore, the board should direct the applicant’s RE 
code be changed to a 1J.

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


APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

Copies of the Air Force evaluations were forwarded to the 
applicant on 28 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 warranting relief.  
The applicant is requesting her separation program designator 
(SPD) and reenlistment eligibility (RE) codes be changed based 
on the repeal of the law known as “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” 
(DADT).  No evidence has been presented which would lead us to 
believe her discharge was improper or contrary to the directive 
under which it was effected at the time of her separation.  
However, in light of the repeal of DADT and the applicant’s 
record of performance, it would be appropriate to correct her 
narrative reason for separation, separation program designator 
(SPD) and reenlistment eligibility (RE) codes.  In a memorandum, 
dated 20 Sep 11, the Under Secretary of Defense published 
guidance that Service Discharge Review Boards should normally 
grant requests to change the character of service, narrative 
reason for separation, SPD, and RE codes if the following 
conditions are met:  (1) the original discharge was based solely 
on DADT or a similar policy in place prior to enactment of DADT 
and (2) there were no aggravating factors in the record, such as 
misconduct.  Based on our review of the evidence of record, the 
applicant’s discharge meets these requirements.  Therefore, we 
recommend the applicant’s record be corrected as indicated 
below.

4.  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 the APPLICANT be corrected to show that on 
24 June 2010, the applicant was issued a narrative reason for 
separation of “Secretarial Authority,” Separation Program 
Designator (SPD) code of “JFF,” and Reentry (RE) Code of “1J” in 
conjunction with her Honorable discharge.




The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket 
Number BC-2014-00438 in Executive Session on 21 Nov 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 28 Jan 14, w/atchs.
	Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
	Exhibit C.  Memorandum, AFPC/DPSOR, dated 18 Feb 14.
	Exhibit D.  Memorandum, AFPC/DPSOA, dated 10 Mar 14.
	Exhibit E.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 28 Jul 14.

	

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