DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY
 NAVAL DISCHARGE REVIEW BOARD (NDRB)
                     DISCHARGE REVIEW
                   DECISIONAL DOCUMENT

ex-SR, USN
Docket No. ND99-00680

Applicant’s Request

The application for discharge review, received 990427, requested that the characterization of service on the discharge be changed to Entry Level Separation or Uncharacterized.  The applicant requested a documentary record discharge review.  The applicant did not list any representative on the DD Form 293.

Decision

A documentary discharge review was conducted in Washington, D.C. on 000207.  After a thorough review of the records, supporting documents, facts, and circumstances unique to this case, NDRB discerned no impropriety or inequity in the characterization of the applicant’s service.  The Board’s vote was unanimous that the character of the discharge shall not change.  The discharge shall remain: UNDER OTHER THAN HONORABLE CONDITIONS/MISCONDUCT, authority: NAVMILPERSMAN, Article 3630620.

PART I - APPLICANT’S ISSUES AND DOCUMENTATION

Issues

Prior to the documentary discharge review, the applicant introduced no issues as block 8 on the DD Form 293 is blank. 

Documentation

In addition to the service record, the following additional documentation, submitted by the applicant, was considered:

None

PART II - SUMMARY OF SERVICE

Prior Service (component, dates of service, type of discharge):

	Active:   None
	Inactive: USNR (DEP)	950817 - 951005	ELS
		   USNR (DEP)	951011 - 960714	COG

Period of Service Under Review:

Date of Enlistment:  960715		Date of Discharge:  970610

Length of Service (years, months, days):

	Active:    00  10  27
	Inactive:  None

Age at Entry:  18			Years Contracted:  4 (24 month extension)

Education Level:  12			AFQT:  89

Highest Rate:  SA

Final Enlisted Performance Evaluation Averages (number of marks):

Performance:  NOB		Behavior:  1.00 (1)		OTA:  1.00

Military Decorations:  None

Unit/Campaign/Service Awards:  None 

Days of Unauthorized Absence:  8 

Character, Narrative Reason, and Authority of Discharge (at time of issuance):

UNDER OTHER THAN HONORABLE CONDITIONS/MISCONDUCT, authority:  NAVMILPERSMAN, Article 3630620.

Chronological Listing of Significant Service Events:

970307:	NJP for violation of UCMJ, Article 112A: Wrongfully use of cocaine between 28 February 1997 and 4 March 1997.
	Award:  Forfeiture of $450 per month for 2 months, restriction and extra duty for 45 days, reduction to SR.  No indication of appeal in the record.
970414:	Medical evaluation for drug abuse found the applicant to be a drug abuser, not drug dependent.   Recommend applicant attend Alcohol Impact.  

970418:	Applicant to unauthorized absence 0700, 970418.

970422:	Applicant from unauthorized absence 0700, 970422 (4 days/surrendered).

970501:	Applicant to unauthorized absence 0700, 970501.

970505:	Applicant from unauthorized absence 0700, 970505 (4 days/surrendered).

970509:	Applicant notified of intended recommendation for discharge under Other Than Honorable conditions by reason of misconduct due to Drug abuse as evidenced by all punishments under the UCMJ in your current enlistment.

970509:  	Applicant advised of his rights and having elected not to consult counsel certified under UCMJ, Article 27B, elected to waive all rights.

970515:	Drug and Alcohol Abuse Report: Marijuana abuse, 970408, unit sweep urinalysis, ashore, off duty, abuse denied.  CAAC recommended Level I treatment.  Clinical psychologist found applicant not dependent and recommended Level I treatment.  Commanding officer recommended separate not via VA hospital.

970516:	Commanding officer recommended discharge under Other Than Honorable conditions by reason of misconduct due to Drug abuse (Use). 

970603:	Commander, Naval Training Center, Great Lakes directed the applicant's discharge under Other Than Honorable conditions by reason of misconduct due to Drug abuse (Use).

PART III – RATIONALE FOR DECISION AND PERTINENT REGULATION/LAW

Discussion

The applicant was discharged on 970610 under Other Than Honorable conditions for misconduct due to Drug abuse (Use) (A).  The Board presumed regularity in the conduct of governmental affairs (B).  After a thorough review of the records, supporting documents, facts, and circumstances unique to this case, the Board found that the discharge was proper and equitable (C and D).

The applicant introduced no decisional issues for consideration by the Board.  However, on the applicant’s DD Form 293, he requests that his discharge be changed to Entry Level Separation or Uncharacterized.  The applicant served in the military for 10 months and 27 days, which disqualifies him for a characterization of Entry Level Separation/Uncharacterized (maximum allowable time of service is six months).  Relief denied.

Pertinent Regulation/Law (at time of discharge)

A.  Navy Military Personnel Manual, (NAVPERS 15560C), Change 14, effective 
03 Oct 96 until 11 Dec 97, Article 3630620  SEPARATION OF ENLISTED PERSONNEL BY REASON OF MISCONDUCT ‑  DRUG ABUSE

B.  Secretary of the Navy Instruction 5420.174C of 22 August 1984 (Manual for Discharge Review, 1984), enclosure (1), Chapter 2, AUTHORITY/POLICY FOR DEPARTMENTAL DISCHARGE REVIEW.  

C.  Secretary of the Navy Instruction 5420.174C of 22 August 1984 (Manual for Discharge Review, 1984), enclosure (1), Chapter 9, paragraph 9.2, PROPRIETY OF THE DISCHARGE.

D.  Secretary of the Navy Instruction 5420.174C of 22 August 1984 (Manual for Discharge Review, 1984), enclosure (1), Chapter 9, paragraph 9.3, EQUITY OF THE DISCHARGE.

PART IV - INFORMATION FOR THE APPLICANT

If you believe that the decision in your case is unclear, not responsive to the issues you raised, or does not otherwise comport with the decisional document requirements of DoD Directive 1332.28, you may submit a complaint in accordance with Enclosure (5) of that Directive.  You should read Enclosure (5) of the Directive before submitting such a complaint.  The complaint procedure does not permit a challenge of the merits of the decision; it is designed solely to ensure that the decisional documents meet applicable requirements for clarity and responsiveness.  You may obtain a copy of DoD Directive 1332.28 by writing to:

		DA Military Review Boards Agency
		Management Information and Support Directorate
		Armed Forces Reading Room
		Washington, D.C.  20310-1809

The names, and votes of the members of the Board are recorded on the original of this document and may be obtained from the service records by writing to:

		Naval Council of Personnel Boards
		Attn:  Naval Discharge Review Board
		Washington Navy Yard
		720 Kennon Street SE Rm 309
		Washington, D.C.  20374-5023