DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE HEADQUARTERS UNITED …

DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE HEADQUARTERS UNITED STATES AIR

FORCE WASHINGTON DC

MEMORANDUM FOR DISTRIBUTION C ALMAJCOMs/FOAs/DRUs

AFI 36-3208_ AFGM2018-01 14 June 2018

Reissued: 13 June 2019

FROM: Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Air Force (Manpower and Reserve Affairs)

SUBJECT: Air Force Guidance Memorandum to AFI 36-3208, Administrative Separation of Airmen

By Order of the Secretary of the Air Force, this Air Force Guidance Memorandum (AFGM) immediately implements changes to AFI 36-3208, Administrative Separation of Airmen, and replaces the previous AFGM in its entirety due to its incorporation into this AFGM. Compliance with this memorandum is mandatory. To the extent its directions are inconsistent with other Air Force publications, the information herein prevails, in accordance with AFI 33-360, Publications and Forms Management.

This AFGM revises AFI 36-3208 by (1) requiring special processing for Airmen who have been sexually assaulted and have been diagnosed with a mental health condition that is so severe the member's ability to function effectively in the military environment is significantly impaired; (2) requiring additional processing before enlisted Airmen who have filed an unrestricted report of sexual assault may be discharged for a personality disorder, or other mental disorder not constituting a physical disability; (3) requiring Air Force members to complete a Separation History and Physical Examination (SHPE) prior to separation as required in AFI 48-123; (4) requiring special processing for certain Airmen who have been deployed overseas in support of a contingency operation or who have been sexually assaulted within 24 months prior to separation that meet the requirements in paragraph 1.30; and (5) by significantly modifying paragraph 5.11, which refers to Conditions that Interfere with Military Service. This paragraph should be reviewed in its entirety.

Refer recommended changes and questions about this publication to the Office of Primary Responsibility (OPR) using the AF Form 847, Recommendation for Change of Publication; route AF Forms 847 from the field through appropriate functional chain of command. The OPR for this publication is the Air Force Personnel Center, AFPC/DP3SA, 550 C Street West, Randolph AFB, TX 78140-4712. Ensure all records created as a result of processes prescribed in this publication are maintained in accordance with Air Force Manual 33-363, Management of Records, and disposed of in accordance with the Air Force Records Disposition Schedule located in the Air Force Records Information Management System.

In collaboration with the Chief of Air Force Reserve (HQ USAF/RE) and the Director of the Air National Guard (NGB/CF), the Deputy Chief of Staff for Manpower, Personnel and Services (AF/A1) develops personnel policy for Air Force Military Assignments Programs. This Air Force Instruction (AFI) may be supplemented at any level; all supplements must be approved by the Human Resource Management Strategic Board (HSB) prior to certification and approval.

This guidance memorandum becomes void after 1 year has elapsed from the date of this memorandum, or upon incorporation by interim change to, or rewrite of AFI 36-3208, whichever is earlier.

Attachment: Guidance Changes

DANIEL R. SITTERLY Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary (Manpower and Reserve Affairs)

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ATTACHMENT Guidance Memorandum

The below changes to AFI 36-3208, dated 9 July 2004, through Interim Change (IC) 7, dated 2 July 2013, are effective immediately or when the original AFGM was published on 8 June 2017, whichever is earlier.

*1.30. (Replace) Special Processing ? Members Diagnosed with or Reasonably Asserting Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder or Traumatic Brain Injury (10 U.S.C. ? 1177). The following additional criteria as stipulated below apply to Airmen who are being recommended for discharge under Chapter 5 of this instruction who have been deployed overseas in support of a contingency operation or have been sexually assaulted during the previous 24 months and who have been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder or traumatic brain injury or who reasonably assert post-traumatic stress disorder or traumatic injury.

*1.30.1. (Replace) An enlisted member must receive a medical examination, in accordance with Chapter 6, paragraphs 6.3 and 6.9.3. of this instruction, to assess whether the effects of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or traumatic brain injury (TBI) constitute matters in extenuation that relate to the basis for administrative separation, if the Airman meets all of the following criteria (T-0):

*1.30.1.1. (Replace) The enlisted member is being administratively separated under a characterization that is not either Honorable or Under Honorable Conditions (General);

*1.30.1.2. (Replace) The enlisted member was deployed overseas to a contingency operation or sexually assaulted during the previous 24 months;

*1.30.1.3. (Replace) The enlisted member has been diagnosed by a physician, clinical psychologist, psychiatrist, licensed clinical social worker, or psychiatric advanced practice registered nurse as experiencing PTSD or TBI, or reasonably alleges the influence of PTSD or TBI based on deployed service to a contingency operation or based on a sexual assault that occurred during the previous 24 months. [NOTE: In a case involving PTSD, the medical examination shall be performed by a clinical psychologist, psychiatrist, licensed clinical social worker, or psychiatric advanced practice registered nurse (T-0). In a case involving TBI, the medical examination may be performed by a physician, clinical psychologist, psychiatrist, or other health care professional, as appropriate]; and,

*1.30.1.4. (Replace) The enlisted member is not being separated under a sentence of a courtmartial, or other proceeding conducted pursuant to the UCMJ. [NOTE: An administrative separation in lieu of court-martial under Chapter 4 of this instruction does not constitute a "courtmartial, or other proceeding conducted pursuant to the UCMJ" for purposes of this paragraph. Therefore, compliance with paragraph 1.30 is required for discharges processed pursuant to Chapter 4 of this Instruction.]

*1.30.2. (Replace) An enlisted member receiving a pre-separation medical examination in accordance with paragraph 1.30 of this instruction will not be separated until the result of the

medical examination has been reviewed by appropriate authorities responsible for evaluating, reviewing and approving the separation action, to include (if applicable): the initiating commander, administrative discharge board, SPCM convening authority, GCM convening authority, separation authority, Air Force Review Board, and/or Secretary of the Air Force. (T-0). Although specific comments are not required, the commander and other reviewing authorities identified in this paragraph must indicate the medical examination was reviewed (T-1).

*1.30.3. (Added) This provision does not change any other processing requirements of this Instruction to include, but not limited to, Dual Action Processing, Service Retirement Eligibility and Airmen with Lengthy Service under Chapter 6.

*1.31. (Replace) Special Processing ? Procedures for Airmen Who Have Made an Unrestricted Report of a Sexual Assault. An enlisted member who made an unrestricted report of sexual assault and who is recommended for separation from the Air Force under Chapter 5 of this Instruction and who is within one year of final disposition of his or her sexual assault allegation has the right to request a general officer review of the circumstances of and grounds for the involuntary separation. [Note: For purposes of this requirement, the general officer review, if requested, is conducted by the GCM convening authority or, if the GCM convening authority is not a general officer, the first general officer in the member's change of command.]

*1.31.1. (Replace) Notification Requirement. An enlisted member entitled to GCM convening authority review under paragraph 1.31 is notified of the right to request the review in the separation notification memorandum.

*1.31.1.1. (Delete)

*1.31.1.2. (Delete)

*1.31.2. (Replace) Request for GCM Convening Authority Review. If entitled under paragraph 1.31, an enlisted member may request review by the GCM authority of the recommendation for discharge in response to the notification memorandum or at any time prior approval of the discharge by the applicable separation authority. The request must be in writing. In the request, the enlisted member must affirmatively assert the belief that the discharge was initiated in retaliation for making a report of sexual assault.

*1.31.2.1. (Replace) A qualified member who submits a timely request may not be separated until the GCM convening authority conducting the review concurs with the circumstances of and grounds for the involuntary separation.

*1.31.2.2. (Replace) Requests submitted after final separation action is complete will not be acted upon for GCM convening authority review, but the separated member may apply to the Air Force Review Board Agency for review by the Discharge Review Board or Board of Correction of Military Records.

*1.31.2.3. (Replace) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Instruction that requires GCM

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convening authority review of a separation action, separation actions under paragraph 1.31 will not be reviewed by the GCM convening authority unless the member submits a written request for review prior to the final separation action.

*1.31.2.4. (Delete)

*1.31.2.4.1. (Delete)

*1.31.2.4.2. (Delete)

*1.31.2.5. (Delete)

*1.31.3. (Added) Review and Recommendation by Initiating Commander. In accordance with AFI 90-6001, Sexual Assault Prevention and Response (SAPR) Program, paragraph 6.5.2, a commander who is aware, or is made aware by the Airman or others, that the Airman is alleged to have been the victim of a sexual assault must notify the separation authority that the discharge proceeding involves the victim of a sexual assault. The commander should include a statement indicating that the member has reported being a past victim of sexual assault in the recommendation for discharge memorandum (Figure 6.5, paragraph f). The commander should also include a statement indicating that the member is qualified for GCM convening authority review under paragraph 1.31. If the member qualifies for review under paragraph 1.31 and requests review, the following additional information must be included in the discharge recommendation (Figure 6.5):

*1.31.3.1. (Added) The commander recommending discharge must provide sufficient information to the separation authority concerning the alleged assault and the respondent's status to ensure a full and fair consideration of the member's military service and particular situation (T-1).

*1.31.3.2. (Added) As necessary, the commander may include information by reference with corresponding attachments.

*1.31.3.3. (Added) Commanders should consult with the Air Force Office of Special Investigations and the servicing staff judge advocate for guidance on the level of information that may be applicable.

*1.31.4. (Added) GCM Convening Authority Review.

*1.31.4.1. (Added) When an Airman requests review, the GCM authority must review the circumstances of, and grounds for, the proposed involuntary separation (T-1).

*1.31.4.2. (Added) If the GCM authority determines the recommendation for discharge was made in retaliation for the report of sexual assault, the GCM authority will terminate the discharge (T1). In such cases, the GCM authority may refer the retaliation determination to the appropriate inspector general for additional consideration and possible investigation.

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