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

ex-AT3, USN
Docket No. ND03-01335

Applicant’s Request

The application for discharge review was received on 20030806.  The Applicant requests the characterization of service received at the time of discharge be changed to honorable.  The Applicant requests a documentary record review.  The Applicant did not designate a representative on the DD Form 293.

Decision

A documentary review was conducted in Washington, D.C. on 20040608.  After a thorough review of the available records, supporting documents, facts, and circumstances unique to this case, no impropriety or inequity in the characterization of the Applicant’s service was discovered by the NDRB.  The Board’s vote was unanimous that the character of the discharge shall not change.  The discharge shall remain: GENERAL (UNDER HONORABLE CONDITIONS)/MISCONDUCT, authority: NAVMILPERSMAN, Article 1910 - 142 (formerly 3630605).

The NDRB did note administrative error(s) on the original DD Form 214.  Block 18, Remarks Block 18, Remarks, should contain the following statement:  “CONTINUOUS HONORABLE ACTIVE DUTY FROM 90OCT25 UNTIL 95OCT22,” and Block 25, Separation Authority, should read:  “NAVMILPERSMAN 1910-142” vice “MPM 3630600.”  The Commander, Naval Personnel Command, Millington, TN, will be notified, recommending the DD Form 214 be corrected or reissued, as appropriate.

PART I - APPLICANT’S ISSUES AND DOCUMENTATION

Issues, as stated

Applicant’s issues, as stated on the application:

1.  “My discharge was inequitable because it was based on one isolated incident in 7 years 8 months of active duty service.  Please review my records prior to the incident and it will show I was a model sailor in every aspect.”

Documentation

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

Copy of DD Form 214
Certificate of Completion, Enlisted Aviation Warfare Specialist, dtd Oct 18, 1994
Certificate of Good Conduct Award dtd Jul 15, 1994
Certificate of Good Conduct Award dtd Jul 17, 1997
Certificate of Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal dtd Nov 7, 1997
Certificate of Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal dtd May 15, 1996
Letter of Appreciation, USS GEORGE WASHINGTON (CVN 73), dtd Oct 23, 1992
Pukin’ Dog of the Month for June 1993 Letter, dtd Aug 5, 1993
Letter of Appreciation, Fighter Squadron 143, dtd Aug 27, 1993
Letter of Commendation, Fighter Squadron 143, (Sep to Nov 95)
Letter of Appreciation, Commander George Washington Battle Group, (11/12 Jul 94)
Letter of Commendation, Commander George Washington Battle Group (20 May 94 to 17 Nov 94)
Applicant’s Performance Eval (7 evals)

PART II - SUMMARY OF SERVICE

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

	Inactive: USNR	900716 - 901024	COG
	Active:   USNR	901025 - 951022	HON

Period of Service Under Review:

Date of Enlistment:  951023		Date of Discharge:  980629

Length of Service (years, months, days):

	Active:    02  08  07
	Inactive:  None

Age at Entry:  22			Years Contracted:  5

Education Level:  12			AFQT:  77

Highest Rate:  AT2

Final Enlisted Performance Evaluation Averages (number of marks):

Performance:  3.67 (3)	Behavior:  2.67 (3)		OTA:  3.2

Military Decorations:  None

Unit/Campaign/Service Awards:  NDSM, NUC, SSDR, SWAS (w/Bronze Star), MUC, LoC, Gold Wreath (3), NAM (2)

Days of Unauthorized Absence:  None

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

GENERAL (UNDER HONORABLE CONDITIONS)/MISCONDUCT, authority:  NAVMILPERSMAN, Article 1910-142 (formerly 3630605).

Chronological Listing of Significant Service Events:

951023:	Reenlisted for five years at VF-143, NAS Oceana, VA.

980227:	NJP for violation of UCMJ, Article 84:  Effecting unlawful enlistments.
	Award:  Forfeiture of one-half month’s pay for 2 months (suspended except for $200), extra duty for 45 days, reduction to E-4.  No indication of appeal in the record.  [EXTRACTED FROM EVALUATION REPORT (97MAR16 – 98FEB27)]

980629:	DD Form 214 issued.  Applicant discharged with a General, Under Honorable Conditions, by reason of misconduct due to commission of a serious offense.

[ADMIN DISCHARGE PACKAGE NOT CONTAINED IN THE SERVICE RECORD.]

PART III – RATIONALE FOR DECISION AND PERTINENT REGULATION/LAW

Discussion

The Applicant was discharged on 19980629 with a General (Under Honorable Conditions) for misconduct due to commission of a serious offense (A).  In the absence of a discharge package, the Board presumed regularity in the conduct of governmental affairs (B) and, after a thorough review of the records, supporting documents, facts, and circumstances unique to this case, found that the discharge was proper and equitable (C and D).

Issue 1.  The Applicant states his discharge was based on one isolated incident in “7 years 8 months.”  Despite a servicemember’s prior record of service, certain serious offenses, even though isolated, warrant separation from the naval service in order to maintain proper order and discipline.  Regulations limit the Board’s review to a determination on the propriety and equity of the discharge.  In the Applicant’s case, the Board could discern no impropriety or inequity and therefore consider his discharge proper and equitable.  Relief denied.

The Applicant remains eligible for a personal appearance hearing, provided an application is received, at the NDRB, within 15 years from the date of discharge.  The Applicant can provide documentation to support any claims of post-service accomplishments or any other evidence related to his discharge at that time.  Representation at a personal appearance hearing is recommended but not required.

Pertinent Regulation/Law (at time of discharge)

A.  Naval Military Personnel Manual, (NAVPERS 15560C), Change 18, effective 
12 Dec 97 until 29 March 2000, Article 1910-142  [formerly 3630605]. SEPARATION BY REASON OF MISCONDUCT- COMMISSION OF A SERIOUS OFFENSE.

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 view DoD Directive 1332.28 and other Decisional Documents by going online at "afls14.jag.af.mil".

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
		720 Kennon Street SE Rm 309
		Washington Navy Yard DC  20374-5023