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

ex-SR, USN
Docket No. ND04-00518

Applicant’s Request

The application for discharge review was received on 20040210.  The Applicant requests the characterization of service received at the time of discharge be changed to general/under honorable conditions and the reason for the discharge be changed to general.  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 20041022.  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 and reason for discharge shall not change.  The discharge shall remain:  UNCHARACTERIZED (ENTRY LEVEL SEPARATION)/ERRONEOUS ENTRY (OTHER), authority: NAVMILPERSMAN, Article 3620280.

PART I - APPLICANT’S ISSUES AND DOCUMENTATION

Issues, as stated

Applicant’s issues, as stated on the application:

1.  “THE DISCHARGE WAS INAPPROPRIATELY GIVEN BY A CORPSMAN, USING A DOCTOR’S STAMPED SIGNATURE; ALSO, THE NARRATIVE WAS IMPROPER, THE SEPARATION CODE IMPROPER AND THE REENTRY CODE UNJUST.”

2.  “I WOULD LIKE TO RENTER THE MILITARY AGAIN.  MY SPOUSE IS A LT. IN THE AIR FORCE RESERVES.  I HAVE GRADUATED WITH A BA Degree AND AM CURRENTLY COMPLETING MY MASTER’S DEGREE IN PUBLIC HEALTH.

PLEASE CHANGE MY SEPARATION CODE AND REENTRY CODE.”

Documentation

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

Copy of Applicant’s birth certificate
Copy of Applicant’s DD214 (2)
Copy of Applicant’s GED
Copy of Adult Training and Development
Copy of examination results
Copy of state DL & Security guard license
Ltr of recommendation from R_ R_
Ltr of recommendation from D_ C_
Ltr of recommendation from B_ O_
Ltr of recommendation from P_ C_
Copy of transcript from Langston University
Alpha Chi membership certificate
Honor Roll certificate
Copy of Bachelor of Arts degree
Ltr of recommendation from S_ W_
Copy of transcript from Langston University (2 pages)
Report frm J_ A_, Licensed Clinical Psychologist (6 pages)
Honor Roll certificate
Ltr of Acceptance frm U. O. School Public Health dtd 030812
Ltr of Acceptance frm U. O. School Public Health dtd 030813

PART II - SUMMARY OF SERVICE

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

	Inactive: USNR (DEP)	961220 - 961226	COG
	Active:    None

Period of Service Under Review:

Date of Enlistment:  961227		Date of Discharge:  970115

Length of Service (years, months, days):

	Active:    00  00  19
	Inactive:  None

Age at Entry:  18			Years Contracted:  4

Education Level:  GED			AFQT:  56

Highest Rate:  SR

Final Enlisted Performance Evaluation Averages (number of marks):

Performance:  NMF*		Behavior:  NMF		OTA:  NMF

*No marks found in service record

Military Decorations:  None

Unit/Campaign/Service Awards:  None

Days of Unauthorized Absence:  None

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

UNCHARACTERIZED (ENTRY LEVEL SEPARATION)/ERRONEOUS ENTRY (OTHER), authority: NAVMILPERSMAN, Article 3620280.

Chronological Listing of Significant Service Events:

960229:	Applicant’s SF93 indicates a negative response to question 21 [Have you consulted or been treated by clinics, physicians, healers, or other practitioners within the past 5 years for other than minor illnesses?]  There is no indication on SF93 that the Applicant received counseling in the past 5 years.  

970102:	Member self referred to REU.

970102:	Applicant diagnosis:
	AXIS II:  301.83 Borderline Personality Disorder, Sever, EPTE
	Recommendation:  Entry level separation.
	Diagnosed by D_ L_, Ph. D., Clinical Psychologist
	Reviewed by C_ A_, Ph. D., Clinical Psychologist
	Medical Evaluation, Orientation includes the following:  [SR stated he saw a counselor from age 14 to 16 because of the abuse.]

970109:	Applicant notified of intended recommendation for uncharacterized discharge by reason of defective enlistment and induction due to erroneous enlistment as evidenced by an anti-social personality disorder.  

970109:	Applicant advised of his rights and having elected not to consult with counsel certified under UCMJ Article 27B, elected to waive all rights except the right to obtain copies of the documents used to support the basis for the separation.

970110:	CO, RTC GREAT LAKES directed the Applicant's UNCHARACTERIZED discharge by reason of defective enlistment and induction due to erroneous enlistment.

PART III – RATIONALE FOR DECISION AND PERTINENT REGULATION/LAW

Discussion

The Applicant was discharged on 19970115 with an entry level separation (uncharacterized) for defective enlistment and induction due to erroneous enlistment (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).

Issue 1.  On  970102, the Applicant made a voluntary statement that he had a prior history of counseling.  The Board found that the documentation and statements provided for review do not refute the presumption that the Applicant deliberately misrepresented his medical history during the enlistment process, including the omission or concealment of facts which, if known at the time would have reasonably been expected to preclude, postpone, or otherwise affect the individuals eligibility for enlistment or induction. No other narrative reason other than fraudulent entry more clearly describes the circumstances surrounding the Applicant’s processing for administrative separation.  Relief denied.

By regulation, members discharged within the first 180 days of enlistment are given characterization of service "Uncharacterized" or entry-level separation unless there were unusual circumstances regarding performance or conduct, which would merit an "honorable" characterization.  Applicant's service record did not contain any unusual circumstances during his less than one month in the military to warrant a change of discharge to "honorable."  Further, the Applicant should be aware that, with respect to nonservice-related administrative matters, i.e., VA benefits, educational pursuits, and especially civilian employment, an uncharacterized separation is considered the equivalent of an honorable or general (under honorable conditions) discharge.

Issue 2.  Concerning a change in reenlistment code, the NDRB has no authority to change reenlistment codes or make recommendations to permit reentry into the naval service or any other of the Armed Forces.  The NDRB has no jurisdiction over reenlistment, reentry, or reinstatement into the Navy or Marine Corps.  Reenlistment policy of the naval service is promulgated by the Commander, Navy Recruiting Command, 5722 Integrity Drive, Bldg 784, Millington, TN 38054.  Neither a less than fully honorable discharge nor an unfavorable "RE" code is, in itself, a bar to reenlistment.  A request for a waiver is normally done only during the processing of a formal application for enlistment through a recruiter.  

The following is provided for the edification of the Applicant.  Normally, to permit relief, a procedural impropriety or inequity must have occurred during the discharge process for the period of enlistment in question.  The Board discovered no impropriety after a review of Applicant’s case.  There is no law or regulation, which provides that an unfavorable discharge may be upgraded, based solely on the passage of time or good conduct in civilian life subsequent to leaving naval service.  The NDRB is authorized, however, to consider post-service factors in the recharacterization of a discharge to the extent such matters provide a basis for a more thorough understanding of the applicant’s performance and conduct during the period of service under review.  

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.  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 14, effective 03 Oct 96 until 11 Dec 97, Article 3620280, SEPARATION OF ENLISTED PERSONNEL BY REASON OF DEFECTIVE ENLISTMENT AND INDUCTIONS – ERRONEOUS ENLISTMENT.

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