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

FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY

ex-MMFN, USN
Docket No. ND06-00038

Applicant’s Request

The application for discharge review was received on 20051004.  The Applicant requests the Discharge 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 designate a representative on the DD Form 293.

Decision

A documentary discharge review was conducted in Washington, D.C. on 20060825.  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) by reason of misconduct due to commission of a serious offense.

PART I - APPLICANT’S ISSUES AND DOCUMENTATION

Issues, as stated

Applicant’s issues, as stated on the application: 

“I am currently enrolled at Erie Community College as a criminal justice major.  I also work at NCO financial as a debt collector.  I aspire to one day be a New York State Trooper.  I wish for you to do a review of my military records and upgrade my discharge.”

Documentation

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

Applicant’s DD Form 214 (2)
Social Security Card
New York Drivers License 
Criminal Record Check dtd May 26, 2005

PART II - SUMMARY OF SERVICE

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

	Inactive:  USNR (DEP)	20020115 – 20020220		COG
	Active:    None

Period of Service Under Review:

Date of Enlistment:  20020221		Date of Discharge:  20050322

Length of Service (years, months, days):

	Active:    03  01  02  
	Inactive:  None

Time Lost During This Period (days):

	Unauthorized absence:  none
	Confinement:		  none

Age at Entry:  18 

Years Contracted:  4 

Education Level:  12				AFQT:  59

Highest Rate:  MM3

Final Enlisted Performance Evaluation Averages (number of marks):

Performance:  2.0 (2) 		Behavior:  2.5 (2) 		OTA:  2.43 

Decorations, Medals, Badges, Citations, and Campaign Ribbons Awarded or Authorized, (as listed on the DD Form 214):  First Good Conduct Award, National Defense Service Medal.

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

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

Chronological Listing of Significant Service Events: 

041119:	NJP for violation of UCMJ, Article 92 (2 specs).
	Violation of UCMJ, Article 86.
	Award:  Restriction and extra duty for 45 days, reduction in rate.  No indication of appeal in the record.  [Extracted from Evaluation Report & Counseling Record dtd 041126]

041125:	Retention Warning:  Advised of deficiency (Misconduct as evidenced by violation of the following UCMJ Articles:  Article 86-Unauthorized absence and Article 92-Dereliction of Duty.), notified of corrective actions and assistance available, advised of consequences of further deficiencies, and issued discharge warning.

050322:	DD Form 214: Applicant discharged general (under honorable conditions) by reason of misconduct due to commission of a serious offense.

Service Record did not contain the Administrative Discharge package.
Service Record missing elements of the Summary of Service.

PART III – RATIONALE FOR DECISION AND PERTINENT REGULATION/LAW

Discussion

The Applicant was discharged on 20050322 by reason of misconduct due to commission of a serious offense (A and B) with a service characterization of general (under honorable conditions).  After a thorough review of the available records, supporting documents, facts, and circumstances unique to this case, the Board found that the discharge was proper and equitable (C and D).  The Board presumed regularity in the conduct of governmental affairs (E).

In the absence of a complete summary of service and discharge package, the Board presumed that the Applicant violated his retention warning dated 20041125 and that the Applicant was properly notified, processed, and discharged in accordance with MILPERSMAN 1910-142 (formerly 3630605).  The Applicant bears the burden of overcoming this presumption of regularity by presenting any substantial and credible evidence.  The Applicant did not provide any documentary evidence to challenge the propriety or equity of the discharge.  Therefore, the Board considered the Applicant’s discharge proper and equitable.  Relief not warranted.

When a Sailor’s service has been honest and faithful, it is appropriate to characterize that service as honorable.  A general characterization of service 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.  There is irrefutable evidence that the Applicant’s conduct during his time in the Navy was not honorable.  Indeed, the Applicant’s record is marred by nonjudicial punishment proceedings on 20041119 for violation of 2 specifications of UCMJ Article 92 (Dereliction of duty) and Article 86 (Unauthorized absence).  According to reference B, violation of Article 92 is a serious offense.  Whenever a Sailor is involved in misconduct due to commission of a serious offense, commanders shall process the Sailor for separation, and normally, the characterization of service shall be under other than honorable conditions.  The Applicant’s conduct, which forms the primary basis for determining the character of his service, falls well below that required for an honorable characterization of service.  An upgrade to honorable would be inappropriate; therefore relief is denied.

The Applicant is advised that the Veterans Administration determines eligibility for post-service benefits not the Naval Discharge Review Board.  There is no requirement or law that grants recharacterization solely on the issue of obtaining Veterans' benefits or enhancing employment and educational opportunities.  Additionally, the Board has no jurisdiction over reenlistment, reentry, or reinstatement into any of the Armed Forces.  A request for a waiver can be submitted during the processing of a formal application for reenlistment through a recruiter.  Regulations limit the Board’s review to a determination on the propriety and equity of the discharge.  Since these issues do not serve to provide a foundation upon which the Board can grant relief, relief on this basis is not warranted.

While 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 service, the Board is authorized 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.  Verifiable proof of any post-service accomplishments must be provided in order for the Applicant to claim post-service conduct and behavior as a reason to upgrade a less than honorable discharge.  The Applicant submitted a criminal record check for consideration.  The Applicant’s efforts need to be more encompassing to include evidence of continuing educational pursuits, verifiable employment records, and documented community service.  At this time, there is not sufficient documentation of post service character and conduct to mitigate the misconduct that resulted in the characterization of discharge.  And so, no relief is granted on this basis.

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 post-service accomplishments or any other evidence related to the 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), re-issued October 2002, effective 22 Aug 02 until 25 April 2005, Article 1910-142 [formerly 3630605], SEPARATION BY REASON OF MISCONDUCT - COMMISSION OF A SERIOUS OFFENSE.

B.  The Manual for Courts-Martial authorizes the award of a punitive discharge if adjudged as part of the sentence upon conviction by a special or general court-martial for violation of the UCMJ, Article 86 (Unauthorized absence more than 30 days) and Article 92 (Willful dereliction in performance of duties).

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.

E.  Secretary of the Navy Instruction 5420.174D of 22 December 2004, Naval Discharge Review Board (NDRB) Procedures and Standards, Part II, Para 211, Regularity of Government Affairs.

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