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

 ex-AR, USNR
Docket No. ND04-01375

Applicant’s Request

The application for discharge review was received on 20040827.  The Applicant requests the narrative reason for separation changed to general/honorable.  The Applicant requests a personal appearance hearing discharge review before the Board in the Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Area.  The Applicant listed American Legion as the representative on the DD Form 293.

Decision

A personal appearance hearing discharge review was conducted in Washington, D.C. on 20050331.  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:  UNCHARACTERIZED (ENTRY LEVEL SEPARATION)/ERRONEOUS ENTRY (OTHER), authority: NAVMILPERSMAN, Article 1910-130.

PART I - APPLICANT’S ISSUES AND DOCUMENTATION

Issues, as stated

Issues submitted by Applicant and his representative (AMERICAN LEGION):

“1.  (Propriety Issue) This former member avers that the basis for his Erroneous Entry (Other) narrative reason for discharge is improper because he does not have a Schizoid Personality Disorder.  He proffers that the Board should therefore correct his narrative reason to show that his separation was due to Secretarial Authority.

2.  (Propriety Issue) This former member further contends that his incorrect narrative reason resulted in his being prematurely discharged with a less than desirable Uncharacterized (Entry Level Separation). He opines that this designation is improper and warrants the Board’s correction with assignment of a fully Honorable characterization of service.
_______________________________________________________________________

In accordance with Title 32, CFR, Section 724.116 and SECNAVINST 5420.174D, Part I, Paragraph 1.20, The American Legion submits to the Naval Discharge Review Board (NDRB or Board) the above issues in supplement to this Applicant’s petition. 

The American Legion’s express purpose in providing this statement, and any other submittals or evidence filed, is to assist this Applicant in the clarification and resolution of the impropriety or inequity raised.  To that end, we rest assured that the NDRB’s final decision will reflect sound equitable principles consistent in law, regulation, policy and discretion as promulgated by Title 10, USC, Section 1553 and set forth in Title 32, CFR, Part 724 and SECNAVINST 5420.174D. 

This case is now respectfully submitted for deliberation and disposition.

Documentation

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

Letter from J_ S_, PhD, ABMP, BCETS, dated 14 Sep 2000
Medical Record, dated 15 May 2001

PART II - SUMMARY OF SERVICE

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

	Inactive: USNR (DEP)	None
	Active:   USN			None

Period of Service Under Review:

Date of Enlistment:  000121		Date of Discharge:  000525

Length of Service (years, months, days):

	Active:    00  03  09
	Inactive:  00  00  26

Age at Entry:  30			Years Contracted:  8

Education Level:  12			AFQT:  29

Highest Rate:  AR

Final Enlisted Performance Evaluation Averages (number of marks):

Performance:  NMA*		Behavior:  NMA		OTA:  NMA

Military Decorations:  None

Unit/Campaign/Service Awards:  None

Days of Unauthorized Absence:  None

*No marks assigned

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

UNCHARACTERIZED (ENTRY LEVEL SEPARATION)/ERRONEOUS ENTRY (OTHER), authority: NAVMILPERSMAN, Article 1910-130.

Chronological Listing of Significant Service Events:

000217:	Applicant ordered to active duty for three years under the Seafarer Airman Apprenticeship Program.
	
000517:	Medical evaluation:  Diagnosis: Axis I: Occupational problems, V62.2.  Axis II: Schizoid personality disorder, 301.20, EPTE.  Physician’s comments (verbatim):  “This is his (Applicant) third evaluation at R.E.V.  He does not feel his enlistment is working out although, “my father won’t like that.” He is recommended for administrative separation.  SR (Applicant) accepts the recommendation.”
  
000519:	Applicant notified of intended recommendation for discharge with a least favorable characterization of general (under honorable conditions) by reason of defective enlistment and induction due to erroneous enlistment as evidenced by a schizoid personality disorder.

000519:	Applicant advised of rights and having elected not to consult with counsel certified under UCMJ Article 27(b), elected to waive all rights except the right to obtain copies of the documents used to support the basis for the separation.

000522:	Commanding Officer directed discharge with an uncharacterized service discharge by reason of defective enlistment and induction due to erroneous enlistment as evidenced by a schizoid personality disorder. 

030311:	NDRB documentary record review Docket Number ND02-00679 conducted.  Determination:  discharge proper and equitable; relief not warranted.

PART III – RATIONALE FOR DECISION AND PERTINENT REGULATION/LAW

Discussion

The Applicant was discharged on 20000525 with an uncharacterized service 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:  The Applicant, through counsel, contends that his narrative reason for separation is improper because, despite his diagnosis, the Applicant was not afflicted with a schizoid personality disorder.  The NDRB, under its responsibility to examine the propriety and equity of an Applicant's discharge, will change the reason for discharge if such a change is warranted.  The Applicant was diagnosed, by a qualified medical officer, as possessing a schizoid personality disorder and recommended administrative separation due to his psychiatric condition affecting his potential for performance of expected duties and responsibilities while on active duty.  The Applicant's DD Form 214, Block 28, Narrative Reason for Separation, indicates he was separated for Erroneous Entry (Other).  The Applicant’s diagnosis of a disqualifying psychiatric condition constitutes his erroneous entry on active duty.  As such, no other Narrative Reason for Separation could more clearly describe why the Applicant was discharged.  To change the Narrative Reason Separation would be inappropriate.  Relief denied.

Issue 2:  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 4 months in the military to warrant a change of discharge to honorable.  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.

The following if provided for the edification of the Applicant.  The Applicant has exhausted his opportunities for review by the NDRB.  The Applicant may, however, petition the Board for Correction of Naval Records (BCNR), 2 Navy Annex, Washington, DC 20370-5100, concerning a change in the characterization of naval service, if he desires further review of his case.

Pertinent Regulation/Law (at time of discharge)

A.  The Naval Military Personnel Manual, (NAVPERS 15560C), Change 18, effective 12 Dec 97 until 12 Jun 01, Article 1910-130 (formerly 3620280), Separation by Reason of Defective Enlistments and Inductions - Erroneous Enlistment.

B.  Secretary of the Navy Instruction 5420.174D of 22 December 2004, Naval Discharge Review Board (NDRB) Procedures and Standards, Part II, AUTHORITY/POLICY FOR DEPARTMENTAL DISCHARGE REVIEW.

C.  Secretary of the Navy Instruction 5420.174D of 22 December 2004, Naval Discharge Review Board (NDRB) Procedures and Standards, Part V, Para 502, Propriety.

D Secretary of the Navy Instruction 5420.174D of 22 December 2004, Naval Discharge Review Board (NDRB) Procedures and Standards, Part V, Para 503, Equity.

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 “http://Boards.law.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:

		Secretary of the Navy Council of Review Boards
		Attn:  Naval Discharge Review Board
		720 Kennon Street SE Rm 309
		Washington Navy Yard DC  20374-5023