Title: DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY
Author: CAP
Last saved by: janet.goode
Company: NCPB

Docket No. ND08-00310

ex-AA, USN

Current Discharge and Applicant’s Request

Application Received:  20071114
Characterization of Service Received:  GENERAL (UNDER HONORABLE CONDITIONS)
Narrative Reason for Discharge:  UNSATISFACTORY PERFORMANCE
Authority for Discharge:  MILPERSMAN 1910-156

Applicant’s Request:	Characterization change to:  HONORABLE
			Narrative Reason change to: NONE REQUESTED

Summary of Service

Prior Service:
Inactive: USNR (DEP)	20050630- 20050913  NOT FOUND IN RECORD		Active:   NONE
Period of Service Under Review:
Date of Enlistment: 20050914	Period of enlistment:  4 Years  NO Extension	Date of Discharge:  20070201
Length of Service:  01  Yrs  04  Mths  18 Dys	Education Level:  12	Age at Enlistment:  20	AFQT:  41
Highest Rank/Rate:  E-2	Evaluation marks:  Performance: NONE FOUND ( )	Behavior:      (  )	OTA:      
Awards and Decorations (per DD 214): NDSM GWOTEM        

Periods of UA/CONF:  NONE

NJPs:	NONE  
	20061106:  Art(s) 123a (utter worthless checks).  Awarded - RESTR FOP RIR    Susp - NONE FOP RIR 
	20070110:  Art(s) 86, 92, 134 (dishonor fail to pay debt).  Awarded -    Susp - NONE 

SCMs:	NONE
	yyyymmdd:  Art(s).  Sentence - RIR E-1 CONF 30 DAYS FOP.

SPCMs:	NONE
	yyyymmdd:  Art(s).  Sentence - BCD;.

CC:	NONE
	yyyymmdd:  Offense:.  Sentence -.

Retention Warnings:  NONE.
	20061212:  For Indebtedness due to bad check writing. 
20051028 :Frauds and waivers conducted an interview with Applicant on 20050921 re disclosure of a Chart A offense for a parking ticket

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.  Request to reenlist 
2.  One isolated incident in 8 months

Decision

Date:  20080313	DOCUMENTARY REVIEW	Location:  Washington D.C	 Representation:  NONE

By a vote of 5-0 the Characterization shall remain GENERAL (UNDER HONORABLE CONDITIONS).
By a vote of 5-0 the Narrative Reason shall remain UNSATISFACTORY PERFORMANCE.

Discussion

Issue 1:  This is an Issue 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 Reenlistment/RE-codes.

Issue 2 (Equity). The Applicant contends that his discharge should be upgraded because it was based on one isolated incident in “8 months” of service without adverse actions.  Despite a service member’s prior record of service, certain 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 two nonjudicial punishments (NJP) on 20061106 for VUCMJ Article 123a, Uttering worthless checks, and on 20070110, for VUCMJ, Article(s) 86, Unauthorized absence,  92, Orders violation and 134, Dishonorably failing to pay just debts.  Additionally, the Applicant received two retention warnings on 20051028 and 20061212.  The  evidence contained in the record substantiates the conduct for which he was separated.  The summary of service clearly documents that unsatisfactory performance was the reason the Applicant was discharged.  No other Narrative Reason for Separation could more clearly describe why the Applicant was discharged.  Regulations limit the Board’s review to a determination of the propriety and equity of the discharge.  In the Applicant’s case, the Board could discern no impropriety or inequity and therefore considers his discharge proper and equitable

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 the discharge was proper and equitable.

Pertinent Regulation/Law

A.  The Naval Military Personnel Manual, (NAVPERS 15560C), Change 12, effective 23 Sep 2005 until Present, Article 1910-156, SEPARATION BY REASON OF UNSATISFACTORY PERFORMANCE.

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.

C.  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 92, Orders violation and Article 123a, Uttering worthless checks.

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

Key:	NFIR - Not Found In Record 	UA – Unauthorized absence	NJP – Nonjudicial punishment	SCM – Summary court-martial
	SPCM – Special court-martial	FOP – Forfeiture of pay	RIR – Reduction in rank	EPD – Extra Duties
	CONF – Confinement		B&W – Confinement on bread and water			CC - Civilian conviction

Key:	NFIR - Not Found In Record 	UA – Unauthorized absence	NJP – Nonjudicial punishment	SCM – Summary court-martial	
	SPCM – Special court-martial	FOP – Forfeiture of pay	RIR – Reduction in rank	EPD – Extra Duties 
	CONF – Confinement		B&W – Confinement on bread and water