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

Docket No. ND09-01453

ex-AD2, USN

Current Discharge and Applicant’s Request

Application Received: 20090429
Characterization of Service Received:  (per DD 214)  GENERAL (UNDER HONORABLE CONDITIONS)
Narrative Reason for Discharge:  (per DD 214)  ALCOHOL REHABILITATION FAILURE
Authority for Discharge: (per DD 214)  MILPERSMAN 1910-152 [ALCOHOL REHABILITATION FAILURE]

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

Summary of Service

Prior Service:
Inactive:	USNR (DEP)	19890807 - 19900702  COG	Active:	USN 19900703 – 20060308 (HON)

Period of Service Under Review:
Date of Current Enlistment:  20060309	Age at Enlistment:  18
Period of Enlistment:  4 Years  NO Extension
Date of Discharge:  20070629	Highest Rank/Rate:  AD2
Length of Service:  1 Year(s)   03  Month(s)   21 Day(s)
Education Level:  12	AFQT:  35
Evaluation Marks:	Performance:  3.60 (10)	Behavior:  3.00 (10)	OTA:  3.34

Awards and Decorations (per DD 214):	NMCAM(2) NUC(3) MUC(3) GCM(4) NDSM(2) AFEM(5) SWASM(2) KCM(2)  GWOTEM GWOTSM AFSM(4) SSDR(7) OSR(3) NATO(4)

Periods of UA/CONF:  NONE

NJP:  1
- 20070207:	Article 92 (Failure to obey a lawful order)
	Article 111 (Drunken or reckless operation of a vehicle)
	Awarded: RESTR EPD  Suspended:  NONE

SCM:  NONE

SPCM:  NONE

CC:  1
- 20061105:	Offense:  DUI
	Sentence: Plead guilty in court, $250 fine, 30 days jail time (suspended), and license suspended for 12 months 

Retention Warning Counseling:  NONE

Administrative Corrections to the Applicant’s DD 214

The NDRB did note administrative error(s) on the original DD Form 214:

	Block 18, Remarks, should contain the statement: “CONTINUOUS HONORABLE ACTIVE SERVICE FROM 19900703 - 20060308”

The NDRB will recommend to the Commander, Navy Personnel Command, that the DD 214 be corrected as appropriate.

Types of Documents Submitted/reviewed

Related to Military Service:	
                                         DD 214:	☒	Service/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/To Representation:	☐	From/To Congress member:	☐
                    Other Documentation:	☐

Pertinent Regulation/Law

A.  Navy Military Personnel Manual, (NAVPERS 15560C), Change 11, 29 April 2005 until Present, Article 1910-152, SEPARATION BY REASON OF ALCOHOL ABUSE REHABILITATION FAILURE.

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.

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

Applicant’s Issues

1.  The Applicant seeks a RE-code change and to reenlist into the Navy.	
2.  The Applicant believes his post-service conduct is worthy of consideration.	

Decision

Date:  20100114    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 ALCOHOL REHABILITATION FAILURE.

Discussion

The NDRB, under its responsibility to examine the propriety and equity of an Applicant’s discharge, is authorized to change the character of service and the reason for discharge if such change is warranted.  In reviewing discharges, the Board presumes regularity in the conduct of governmental affairs unless there is substantial credible evidence to rebut the presumption, to include evidence submitted by the Applicant.  The Board did complete a thorough review of the circumstances which led to his discharge and the discharge process to ensure his discharge met the pertinent standards of equity and propriety.  The Applicant’s record of service included one nonjudicial punishment (NJP) for violations of the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ): Article 92 (Failure to obey an order or regulation: violated VAW-121 alcohol policy) and Article 111 (Drunken or reckless operation of a vehicle).  In addition, the Applicant had a civilian conviction for driving under the influence in Portsmouth, Virginia.  The Applicant was involved in an alcohol-related incident following Level II Drug and Alcohol Program Advisor (DAPA) treatment, thus processing for administrative separation was mandatory.  The Applicant requested and received an administrative separation board (ASB) to review his separation.  By a unanimous vote (3-0), the ASB found the preponderance of evidence supported separation by reason of alcohol rehabilitation failure (ARF), but recommended suspending his separation for 12 months.  The Applicant’s commander opted not to accept the ASB’s recommendation for suspension of his separation due to his considerable alcohol problems, his dishonesty and his unwillingness to come forward with information regarding his arrest for driving under the influence.  Due to his loss of confidence in the Applicant’s ability to work independently on squadron aircraft, the commander recommended that the Applicant be separated from the Navy.  The Applicant was separated with a General (Under Honorable Conditions) discharge.      

Issue 1:  (Nondecisional) The Applicant seeks a RE-code change and to reenlist into the Navy.  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 NDRB 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.
	
Issue 2:  (Decisional) (Equity)  RELIEF NOT WARRANTED.  The Applicant believes his post-service conduct is worthy of consideration.  The Applicant states he is currently working on his associate’s degree and working two jobs, one of which is head of security for a business.  However, the Applicant failed to provide any documentary evidence (verifiable) on his behalf for post-service consideration despite being encouraged to do so via NDRB correspondence.  To warrant an upgrade, the Applicant’s post service efforts need to be more encompassing, with the full understanding completion of these items alone does not guarantee an upgrade.  The NDRB determined the characterization of service received, “General (Under Honorable Conditions)”, was warranted based on the circumstances leading up to his separation from the Navy.  Relief denied.

Summary:  After a thorough review of the available evidence, to include the Applicant’s summary of service, service record entries, and discharge process, the Board found the discharge was proper and equitable.  Therefore, the awarded characterization of service shall remain GENERAL (UNDER HONORABLE CONDITIONS) and the narrative reason for separation shall remain ALCOHOL REHABILITATION FAILURE.  The Applicant remains eligible for a personal appearance hearing for a period of fifteen years from the date of his discharge.  The Applicant is directed to the Addendum, specifically the paragraphs titled Additional Reviews, Reenlistment/RE-code, and Post-Service Conduct.

ADDENDUM:  Information for the Applicant

Complaint Procedures:  If you believe 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:  After a document review has been conducted, former members are eligible for a personal appearance hearing, provided the application is received at the NDRB within 15 years of the Applicant’s 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.  There are veterans organizations such as the American Legion and the Association of Service Disable Veterans that are willing to provide guidance to former service members in their efforts to obtain a discharge upgrade.  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 U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) determines eligibility for post-service benefits, not the NDRB.  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 NDRB has no authority to upgrade a discharge for the sole purpose of enhancing employment or educational opportunities.  Regulations limit the NDRB’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 BCNR can make changes to reenlistment codes.  Additionally, the NDRB 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 is processed subsequently for an administrative involuntary separation or is referred to a court martial for misconduct, the disability evaluation is suspended pending the outcome of the non-disability proceedings.  If the action includes either a punitive or administrative discharge for misconduct or for any basis wherein an Other Than Honorable discharge is authorized, 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 other medical related reasons.  Only the BCNR can grant this type of narrative reason change.

Automatic Upgrades - There is no law or regulation that provides for an unfavorable discharge to be upgraded based solely on the passage of time or good conduct subsequent to leaving naval service.  

Post-Service Conduct:  The NDRB is authorized to consider post-service factors in the recharacterization of a discharge.  Outstanding post-service conduct, 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, is considered during Board reviews.  Documentation to support a post-service conduct upgrade includes, but is not limited to: a verifiable continuous employment record; marriage and children’s birth certificates (if applicable); character witness statements; documentation of community or church service; certification of non-involvement with civil authorities; evidence of financial stability or letters of good standing from banks, credit card companies, or other financial institutions; attendance at or completion of higher education (official transcripts); and documentation of a drug-free lifestyle.   The Applicant is advised that completion of these items alone does not guarantee the upgrade of an unfavorable discharge, as each discharge is reviewed by the Board on a case-by-case basis to determine if post-service accomplishments help demonstrate  in-service misconduct was an aberration and not indicative of the member’s overall character.

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 special 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.  The NDRB does not have the jurisdictional authority to review a discharge or dismissal resulting from a general court-martial.

Board Membership:  The names and votes of the members of the NDRB 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 – Non-judicial punishment	SCM – Summary court-martial
	SPCM – Special court-martial	FOP – Forfeiture of pay	RIR – Reduction in rank	EPD – Extra Duties
	CONF – Confinement	CC - Civilian conviction	CCU - Correctional Custody Unit	BW – Confinement on bread and water

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