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

ex-MMFN, USN
Docket No. ND04-00439

Applicant’s Request

The application for discharge review was received on 20040121.  The Applicant requests the characterization of service received at the time of discharge be changed to honorable.  The Applicant requests 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 20040922.  After a thorough review of the 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: UNDER OTHER THAN HONORABLE CONDITIONS/MISCONDUCT, authority: NAVMILPERSMAN, Article 1910-146, formerly Article 3630620.

PART I - APPLICANT’S ISSUES AND DOCUMENTATION

Issues, as stated

No issues were submitted by the Applicant. 

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):

	Inactive: USNR (DEP)	971017 - 980106	COG
	Active:   USN			980107 – 000216	HON

Period of Service Under Review:

Date of Enlistment:  000217		Date of Discharge:  020203

Length of Service (years, months, days):

	Active:    01  11  17
	Inactive:  None

Age at Entry:  20			Years Contracted:  6 

Education Level:  12			AFQT:  79

Highest Rate:  MM3

Final Enlisted Performance Evaluation Averages (number of marks):

Performance:  3.00 (2)	Behavior:  2.50(2)		OTA:  2.72

Military Decorations:  None

Unit/Campaign/Service Awards:  SSDR, AFEM, NER, GCM

Days of Unauthorized Absence:  None

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

UNDER OTHER THAN HONORABLE CONDITIONS/MISCONDUCT, authority:  NAVMILPERSMAN, Article 1910-146, formerly 3630620.

Chronological Listing of Significant Service Events:

000217:	Reenlisted for six years.

000306:	Retention Warning:  Advised of deficiency (Larceny on 000205, wrongfully stealing a comforter), notified of corrective actions and assistance available, advised of consequences of further deficiencies, and issued discharge warning.

010427:	NJP for violation of UCMJ, Article 86:  Unauthorized absence.  Shutdown roving watch on or about 010407; violation of UCMJ, Article 107: False official statement on or about 010407 with the intent to deceive, sign an official record which was totally false.
Award:  Forfeiture of $750.00 per month for 2 months (1 month forfeiture suspended for 6 months), restriction for 45 days, reduction to E-4.  No indication of appeal in the record.

011030:	NAVDRUGLAB, Jacksonville, FL, reported Applicant’s urine sample, received 011024, tested positive for THC.

011102:	Applicant’s Sworn Statement concerning Marijuana use.

011112:	NJP for violation of UCMJ, Article 112a:  Wrongful use of marijuana on diverse occasions and between on or about 011012.
Award:  Forfeiture of $741.00 per month for 2 months, restriction and extra duty for 45 days, reduction to E-3.  No indication of appeal in the record.

011206:	Applicant notified of intended recommendation for discharge under other than honorable conditions by reason of misconduct due to pattern of misconduct as evidenced by your punishments under the UCMJ during your current enlistment, commission of a serious offense as evidenced by your Commanding Officer’s NJP on 010427, violation of the Uniform Code of Military Justice; Article 107, false official statement on or about 010407 and as evidenced by your NAVPERS 1070/613 dated 000306 for larceny on or about 000205 and by reason of misconduct due to drug abuse as evidenced by your Commanding Office’s NJP on 011112, for violation of the UCMJ Article 112a, wrongful use of marijuana on or about 011012.

011206:	Applicant advised of rights and having elected not to consult with counsel certified under UCMJ Article 27B, elected to waive all rights.

011211:	Commanding Officer recommended discharge under other than honorable conditions due to a pattern of misconduct as evidenced by his punishments under the Uniform Code of Military Justice during his current enlistment; misconduct due to Commission of a Serious Offense as evidenced by his Commanding Officer’s Nonjudicial Punishment of 27 April 20001, for Violation of Uniform Code of Military Justice; Article 107, false official statement on or about 7 April 2001 and as evidenced by his NAVPERS 1070/613 counseling/warning dated 6 March 2000 for larceny on or about 5 February 2000; and misconduct due to Drug Abuse as evidenced by his Commanding Officer’s Nonjudicial Punishment on 12 November 20001, for Violation of Uniform Code of Military Justice; Article 112a, wrongful use of marijuana on or about 12 October 2001.

020124:	COMCRUDESGRU TWO directed the Applicant's discharge under other than honorable conditions by reason of misconduct due to drug abuse.

PART III – RATIONALE FOR DECISION AND PERTINENT REGULATION/LAW

Discussion

The Applicant was discharged on 20020203 under other than honorable conditions for misconduct due to drug abuse (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.

When the service of a member of the U.S. Navy has been honest and faithful, it is appropriate to characterize that service as honorable.  An Under Other Than Honorable Conditions discharge is warranted when significant negative aspects of a member's conduct or performance of duty outweigh the positive aspects of the member's military record.  The Applicant’s service was marred by two nonjudicial punishment proceedings for three violations of Articles 86, 107 and 112a of the UCMJ.  The Applicant’s conduct, which forms the primary basis for determining the character of his service, reflects his willful failure to meet the requirements of his contract with the U.S. Navy and falls far short of that required for an upgrade of his characterization of service.  Relief is not warranted.

There is credible evidence in the record that the Applicant used illegal drugs.  Mandatory processing for separation is required for sailors who abuse illegal drugs.  Separation under these conditions generally results in characterization of service under other than honorable conditions.  The evidence of record does not demonstrate that the Applicant was not responsible for his conduct or that he should not be held accountable for his actions.  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.  The Naval Military Personnel Manual, (NAVPERS 15560C), Change 33, effective 16 Jul 2001 until 21 Aug 2002, Article 1910-146 (formerly 3630620), Separation 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 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