ex-EM3, USN
ND07-01040

Current Discharge and Applicant’s Request

Application Received:  20070726 	Characterization Received:  
Narrative Reason:  PERSONALITY DISORDER 	Authority:  MILPERSMAN 1910-122

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

Applicant’s Issues:	1.  VA benefits, Montgomery GI Bill
			2.  Discharged due to anxiety and depression brought on by stressful work conditions.

Decision

By a vote of  the Characterization shall  .
By a vote of  the Narrative Reason shall  PERSONALITY DISORDER.

Date:  20080110		Location:  Washington D.C	 Representation:  

Discussion

:    which the Board cannot form the basis of relief for the Applicant, or  the Board does not have the authority to grant the relief for which the Applicant petitioned.  The Applicant is directed to the Addendum regarding .

Issue 2 ():  The Applicant contends her service was inequitable characterized and her depression was the result of stressful work conditions.  The Board reviews the propriety and equity of each Applicant’s discharge individually.  Regulations permit relief on equitable grounds if the Applicant’s discharge is inconsistent with standards of discipline of the naval service.  Based upon the record, nothing indicates that the Applicant’s discharge was in any way inconsistent with the standards of discipline in the United States Navy.  A general (under honorable conditions) 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.  The record documented the Applicant’s failure to assume her assigned duties and unauthorized absence.  The Board found the Applicant’s service properly characterized.  

In reviewing discharges, the Board presumes regularity in the conduct of governmental affairs unless there is substantial credible evidence (to include evidence submitted by the Applicant) to rebut the presumption.  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 

Summary of Service

Prior Service:
Inactive: USNR (DEP) 20010831 - 20020415  		
Period of Service Under Review:
Date of Enlistment: 20020416	Years Contracted:  4; Extension:  24 months	Date of Discharge:  20050621
Length of Service:  03 Yrs 02 Mths 04 Dys				Lost Time:  Days UA:  1
Education Level:  12	Age at Enlistment:  21	AFQT:  92	Highest Rank/Rate:  EM3
Evaluation marks (# of occasions):	Performance:  3.0 (1) 	Behavior:  3.0 (1)		 OTA:  3.0 (1) 
Awards and Decorations (per DD 214): NDSM, GWOTSM, Navy Good Conduct Medal

Medical/Service Record Entries Related to Characterization of Service or Basis for Discharge

20030417:	Naval Hospital, Psychiatry Clinic, Charleston SC.  Following hospitalization for suicidal gesture (taking 20 Advil) following break up with long term boyfriend and sexual assault/rape by same.  

20030603:	Chief, Bureau of Medicine and Surgery approves Applicant’s waiver for physical standards (due to history of suicidal ideations). 

20040304:	Applicant reported for duty aboard USS THEODORE ROOSEVELT (CVN71).

20050120:	Medical Department CVN71:  Refused to leave rack and assume duty.
	Diagnosis:  History of psychiatric hospitalization due to suicidal gestures, does not want to be in Navy.  Fit for full duty.

20050505:	Naval Medical Center, Portsmouth VA:  Applicant hospitalized for 3 days following overdose (entire bottle of Excedrin).  Breakup with boyfriend.  
	Diagnosis:  Personality Disorder. 

20050509:	Applicant to unauthorized absence at 1100, following release from NMC Portsmouth.

20050511:	Applicant from unauthorized absence at 0700 (1 day, surrendered).

20050511:	Naval Medical Center, Portsmouth VA:  Following immediate referral upon returning to command.  
	Diagnosis:  Personality Disorder
	Recommendation:  Expeditious administrative separation, could present a danger to self or others.

Discharge Process

Date Notified:					NOT FOUND IN RECORD
Reason for Discharge:	 
	
Least Favorable Characterization:	

Date Applicant Responded to Notification:		NOT FOUND IN RECORD
Rights Elected at Notification:			NOT FOUND IN RECORD
	Consult with Counsel			
	Obtain Copies of Documents		
	Submit Statement(s) (date)			
	Administrative Board			
	GCMCA review				

Administrative Board Date:	NOT FOUND IN RECORD
Separation Authority (date):	Commanding Officer, USS THEODORE ROOSEVELT (CVN 71) (20050609)
              Reason for discharge directed:	 - 
              Characterization directed:	
Date Applicant Discharged:	20050621

Types of Documents Submitted by Applicant and Considered By Board

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

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

Pertinent Regulation/Law

A.  Naval Military Personnel Manual, (NAVPERS 15560C), Change 11, effective 20 June 2005 until Present, Article 1910-122, Separation By Reason of Convenience of the Government - Personality Disorder.

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