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

FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY

 ex-ENFN, USN
Docket No. ND06-00055

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 general (under honorable conditions).  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 20060721.  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 by reason of misconduct due to drug abuse.

PART I - APPLICANT’S ISSUES AND DOCUMENTATION

Issues, as stated

Applicant’s issues, as stated on the application: 

“With the exception of this incident, my overall service in the military was admirable.  I feel the discharge characterization is too harsh considering the offense.”

Documentation

On the DD From 293, the Applicant indicated “5-6 character references” were attached.    None were found.  The Applicant did not provide additional documentation for the Board’s consideration.  Therefore, only the service and medical records were reviewed.  

PART II - SUMMARY OF SERVICE

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

	Inactive:  USNR (DEP)	20000518 – 20000906		COG
	Active:    None

Period of Service Under Review:

Date of Enlistment:  20000907		Date of Discharge:  20021106

Length of Service (years, months, days):

	Active:    02  01  29  
	Inactive:  None

Time Lost During This Period:

	Unauthorized absence:  None
	Confinement:		  None

Age at Entry:  17 (Parental Consent)

Years Contracted:  4 (24 month extension)

Education Level:  12				AFQT:  62

Highest Rate:  EN3

Final Enlisted Performance Evaluation Averages (number of marks):

Performance:  3.0 (1) 	Behavior:  1.0 (1) 		OTA:  2.83

Decorations, Medals, Badges, Citations, and Campaign Ribbons Awarded or Authorized, (as listed on the DD Form 214):  Navy “E” Ribbon, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, National Defense Service Medal, Navy Unit Commendation.

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

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

Chronological Listing of Significant Service Events: 

020712:	NAVDRUGLAB, San Diego, CA., reported Applicant’s urine sample, received 020708, tested positive for THC.

020721:	NJP for violation of UCMJ, Article 112a:  Wrongful use of a controlled substance.
	Specification:  In that EN3 J_ E_ R_ (Applicant), USN, on active duty, at San Diego, CA., on or about 08July2002, did wrongfully use Tetrahydracannabinol (THC), a schedule I and II controlled substance.  To wit: EN3 J_ E_ R_ (Applicant), provided a positive random urine sample Navy message DTG121406Z JUL02
Award:  Forfeiture of $651.00 pay per month for 2 months (suspended for 2 months), restriction and extra duty for 45 days, reduction to E-3.  No indication of appeal in the record.

020724:	Applicant notified of intended recommendation for discharge with the least favorable characterization of service under other than honorable conditions by reason of misconduct due to drug abuse.

020724:	Applicant advised of rights and having consulted with counsel, elected to appear before an Administrative Discharge Board.

020815:	Memorandum from Licensed Independent Provider, Substance Abuse Rehabilitation Department (SARD), Naval Medical Center San Diego:
	The patient has not been diagnosed with a substance use disorder.

020913:	An Administrative Discharge Board, based upon a preponderance of the evidence and by unanimous vote, found that the Applicant had committed misconduct due to drug abuse, that such misconduct warranted separation, and by vote of 2 to 1, recommended discharge under other than honorable conditions.

021003:	Commanding Officer, USS JARRETT (FFG 33), recommended to Commander, Carrier Group 7, that the Applicant be discharged under other than honorable conditions by reason of misconduct due to drug abuse.  Commanding Officer’s comments:  “Despite ENFN R_ (Applicant) extensive training and education on the Navy’s Drug Policy of zero tolerance, he clearly failed to comply with Navy regulations.  In view of his misconduct I concur with the Admin Board recommendation and strongly recommend separation from the Navy with an Other Than Honorable Discharge.”

021029:	COMCARGRU SEVEN, 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 20021106 by reason of misconduct due to drug abuse (A) with a service characterization of under other than honorable conditions.  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 (B and C).

The Applicant implies his discharge is inequitable in that, aside from his illegal drug use, his service was admirable.  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.  The Applicant’s service record is marred by award of nonjudicial punishment (NJP) for illegal drug use.  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.  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 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 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.  Examples of documentation that should be provided to the Board include proof of educational pursuits, verifiable employment records, documentation of community service, credible evidence of a substance free lifestyle and certification of non-involvement with civil authorities.  As of this time, the Applicant has not provided any post-service documentation for the Board to consider.  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.  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), re-issued October 2002, effective 22 Aug 2002 until Present, Article 1910-146 (formerly 3630620), Separation by Reason of Misconduct - Drug Abuse.

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

C.  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