ex-FN, USN

Current Discharge and Applicant’s Request

Application Received:  20070215 
Characterization of Service Received:  
Narrative Reason for Discharge:  OTHER PHYSICAL/MENTAL CONDITIONS – PERSONALITY DISORDER
Authority for Discharge:  MILPERSMAN 3620200

Applicant’s Request:	Characterization change to:  
			Narrative Reason change to: 

Summary of Service

Prior Service:
Inactive: USNR (DEP)	19900604 - 199010  		Active:      
Period of Service Under Review:
Date of Enlistment:19901011		Period of enlistment:   Years   Months	Date of Discharge:  19921009
Length of Service:    Yrs    Mths  29  Dys	Education Level:  	Age at Enlistment:  	AFQT:  31 
Highest Rank/Rate:  FN	Evaluation marks:  Performance: 3.5(4 )	Behavior: 3.4 (4)	OTA:  3.50 
Awards and Decorations (per DD 214): Combat Action Ribbon, Nat’l Def Svc Med, Navy Unit Com, So West Asia Svc Med (2), Kuwait Lib Med/Saudi, an  Rifle  Pistol   

19920827	Medical record: Reason for visit- Psychological evaluation to determine suitability for future service.  Mbr has a long standing and well documented personality disorder who continues to do poorly in terms of performance and behavior. Has a hx of dysfunctional family, marital discord…Axis I Marital discord, Axis II Personality DO (NOS); Plan: Fit for duty & responsible for actions, not suicidal or homicidal; process for admin sep., and no ETOH. 

20061129 	BCNR voted to upgrade discharge to honorable; narrative reason to remain unchanged.

Periods of UA/Confinement:  

NJPs:	  
	
SCMs:	

SPCMs:	
	Civil Conviction: 
	
Retention Warnings: .
	
Types of Documents Submitted

Related to Military Service:	DD 214:  	Service and/or Medical Record:  	Other Records:  

Related to Post-Service Period:	
	Employment:			Finances:			Education/Training:	
	Health/Medical Records:		Substance Abuse:			Criminal Records:	
	Family/Personal Status:		Community Service:		References:		
	
Additional Statements From Applicant:  		From Representation:  		From Member of Congress:  
Other Documentation (Describe)  

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

Applicant’s Issues

1. Correct his narrative reason and RE code; seeking government job 
2.  Wronged for no apparent reason

Decision

Date:  20080131		Location:  Washington D.C	 Representation:  

By a vote of  the Characterization shall  .
By a vote of  the Narrative Reason shall  OTHER PHYSICAL/MENTAL CONDITIONS – PERSONALITY DISORDER.

Discussion

.    which the Board does not have the authority to grant the relief for which the Applicant petitioned.  The Applicant is directed to the Addendum for additional information regarding Employment/Educational Opportunities and Reenlistment/RE-codes.

Issue 2 ().  The Applicant contends that his narrative reason should be changed because he was “wronged for no apparent reason.”  The Applicant was diagnosed with a longstanding and well documented "Personality Disorder" by competent medical authority at the Fleet Mental Health Clinic, San Diego, CA, and was recommended for administrative separation from the Navy.  Additionally, the commanding officer comments contained in the transmittal letter of 19920930 indicates that the command made every attempt to help the applicant through counseling and professional assistance.  The Applicant has not presented any evidence to support the allegations of mistreatment by his command.  Thus, the Board finds that the Reason for Discharge reflects the Applicant's mental health status at the time of his discharge, and was proper and equitable at the time of issuance.  This Board concurs with the BCNR’s determination that "Personality Disorder" is an accurate narrative description of the reason for the Applicant's discharge. 

In reviewing discharges, the Board presumes regularity in the conduct of Government affairs unless there is substantial credible evidence to rebut the presumption, to include evidence submitted by the Applicant.  After a thorough review of the available evidence, to include the Applicant’s Summary of Service, Medical and Service Record Entries, Discharge Process and evidence submitted by the Applicant, the Board found that 

Pertinent Regulation/Law

A.  Naval Military Personnel Manual, (NAVPERS 15560C), effective 15 Aug 1991 until 04 Mar 1993, Article 3620200, SEPARATION OF ENLISTED PERSONNEL FOR CONVENIENCE OF THE GOVERNMENT.

B.  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 V, Para 502, Propriety and Para 503, Equity.

ADDENDUM:  Information for the Applicant

Complaint Procedures:  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 Instruction 1332.28, you may submit a complaint in accordance with Enclosure (5) of that Instruction to the Joint Service Review Activity, OUSD (P&R) PI-LP, The Pentagon, Washington, DC  20301-4000.  You should read Enclosure (5) of the Instruction 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 Instruction 1332.28 and other Decisional Documents by going online at “http://Boards.law.af.mil.”

Additional Reviews:  Subsequent to a document review, former members are eligible for a personal appearance hearing, provided the 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 additional evidence related to this discharge.  Representation at a personal appearance hearing is recommended but not required.  If a former member has been discharged for more than 15 years, has already been granted a personal appearance hearing or has otherwise exhausted his opportunities before the NDRB, the Applicant may petition the Board for Correction of Naval Records (BCNR), 2 Navy Annex, Washington, DC 20370-5100 for further review.

Service Benefits:  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 and this issue does not serve to provide a foundation upon which the Board can grant relief.

Employment/Educational Opportunities:  The Board has no authority to upgrade a discharge for the sole purpose of enhancing employment or educational opportunities.  Regulations limit the Board’s review to a determination of the propriety and equity of the discharge.  

Reenlistment/RE-code:  Since the NDRB has no jurisdiction over reenlistment, reentry, or reinstatement into the Navy, Marine Corps, or any other of the Armed Forces, the NDRB is not authorized to change a reenlistment code.  Only the Board for Correction of Naval Records (BCNR) can make changes to reenlistment codes.  Additionally, the Board has no authority to upgrade a discharge for the sole purpose of enhancing reenlistment opportunities.  An unfavorable “RE” code is, in itself, not a bar to reenlistment.  A request for a waiver can be submitted during the processing of a formal application for reenlistment through a recruiter.

Medical Conditions and Misconduct:  DoD disability regulations do not preclude a disciplinary separation.  Appropriate regulations stipulate that separations for misconduct take precedence over potential separations for other reasons.  Whenever a member is being processed through the Physical Evaluation Board, and subsequently is processed for an administrative involuntary separation for misconduct, the disability evaluation is suspended.  The Physical Evaluation Board case remains in suspense pending the outcome of the non-disability proceedings.  If the action includes either a punitive or administrative discharge for misconduct, the medical board report is filed in the member’s terminated health record.  Additionally, the NDRB does not have the authority to change a narrative reason for separation to one indicating a medical disability or “PTSD.”  Only the Board for Correction of Naval Records can grant this type of narrative reason change.  

Automatic Upgrades - 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 may 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.  

Issues Concerning Bad-Conduct Discharges (BCD) – Because relevant and material facts stated in a court-martial specification are presumed by the NDRB to be established facts, issues relating to the Applicant’s innocence of charges for which he was found guilty cannot form a basis for relief.  With respect to a discharge adjudged by a court-martial, the action of the NDRB is restricted to upgrades based on clemency.  Clemency is an act of leniency that reduces the severity of the punishment imposed.  

Board Membership:  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