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

Docket No. ND09-01472

ex-FCSR, USN

Current Discharge and Applicant’s Request

Application Received: 20090505
Characterization of Service Received:  (per DD 214)  GENERAL (UNDER HONORABLE CONDITIONS)
Narrative Reason for Discharge:  (per DD 214)  PERSONALITY DISORDER
Authority for Discharge: (per DD 214)  MILPERSMAN 1910-122 [PERSONALITY DISORDER]

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

Summary of Service
Prior Service:
Inactive:	USNR (DEP)	20030805 - 20040709  ELS	Active:	NONE
	USNR (DEP)	20040812 - 20040912  COG

Period of Service Under Review:
Date of Current Enlistment:  20040912	Age at Enlistment:  22
Period of Enlistment:  4 Years  24 MONTHS Extension
Date of Discharge:  20051216	Highest Rank/Rate:  FCSA
Length of Service:  01 Year(s)   03  Month(s)   04 Day(s)
Education Level:  12	AFQT:  98
Evaluation Marks:	Performance:  NOB	Behavior:  1.0 (1)	OTA:  1.00

Awards and Decorations (per DD 214):	NDSM

Periods of UA/CONF:  NONE

NJP:  1

- 20050318:	Article 107 (False official statement)
	Article 134 (Wrongfully obtain from Naval Hospital Emergency Medical Services for a period of 3 hours)
	Awarded: RIR FOP RESTR EPD  Suspended:  NONE

SCM:  NONE    

SPCM:  NONE     

CC:  NONE     

Retention Warning Counseling:  NFIR

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:	☐

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

Applicant’s Issues

1.  Discharge inequitable based on a personality disorder. 
2.  Post-service conduct warrants consideration.

Decision

Date:  20100204	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 PERSONALITY DISORDER.

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 Applicant’s record of service included one nonjudicial punishment for violations of the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ): Article 107 (False official statement) and Article 134 (Wrongfully obtain from Naval Hospital Emergency Medical Services for a period of three hours).  Per the National Naval Medical Center, Department of Psychiatry, Bethesda, Maryland, letter of 25 October 2005, a navy psychiatrist diagnosed the Applicant with personality disorder not otherwise specified, with borderline and dependent traits, and recommended her for expeditious administrative separation.  Based on the psychiatrist’s recommendation, her command administratively processed her for separation. When notified of administrative separation processing using the notification procedure, the Applicant waived her rights to consult with a qualified counsel, submit a written statement, and request a General Court-Martial Convening Authority (GCMA) review.  

Issue 1:  (Decisional) (Equity)  RELIEF NOT WARRANTED.  The Applicant contends her discharge was inequitable because it was based on a personality disorder that was the result of having gone to captain’s mast.  As noted above, the Applicant was properly diagnosed by a mental health professional as having a personality disorder.  There was no mention in the psychiatrist’s letter that the basis for her personality disorder was from having gone to captain’s mast.  The psychiatrist does mention the Applicant had a serious suicide attempt and that it “occurred in the context of marital stressors, in the midst of an extensive background of past psychosocial issues.”  For the Applicant’s information, members may be processed for separation based on a mental health professional's clinical diagnosis of a personality disorder when the disorder is so severe that one's ability to function effectively and perform their duties is significantly impaired, and the individual poses a threat to safety or well being of themselves or others.  When separated by reason of convenience of the government – personality disorder, the characterization of service is Honorable unless an Entry Level Separation or General (Under Honorable Conditions) is warranted.  The Applicant provided documentation that she was being processed for administrative separation by reason of misconduct – commission of a serious offense on 18 May 2005, and had requested an administrative board.  The administrative board voted 3-0 that she did not commit misconduct, commission of a serious offense.  Her commanding officer stated in his letter of 13 February 2006, the Applicant had no military offenses or civilian convictions.  Although no other documented misconduct was found in the record of service the NDRB noted in her final evaluation report dated 16 December 2005, the Applicant was given a 1.0 (below standards) rating in block 36, military bearing/character.  This is significant since the end date of her evaluation was approximately nine months after her NJP.  A General (Under Honorable Conditions) discharge is appropriate if the member’s service has been honest and faithful but significant negative aspects of the member’s conduct or performance outweighs positive aspects of the member’s military record.  Based on her final evaluation report, the NDRB determined the awarded characterization of service was warranted.  Relief denied.

Issue 2:  (Decisional) (Equity)  RELIEF WARRANTED.  The Applicant states she is in optometry school and will be a doctor by 2015.  The NDRB considers post-service conduct in order to determine if the misconduct committed during active duty was indicative of the Applicant's character or an aberration.  Besides the Applicant’s statement on the DD Form 293 and one reference letter, she failed to provide any additional documentation and evidence on her behalf to support a post-service conduct review.  The Applicant’s statements alone, without sufficient documentary evidence, are not enough to form a basis of relief.  On page 4, Item 8, in the instructions for completion of DD Form 293, the Applicant is notified to submit evidence "which substantiate or relate directly to your issues in Item 6" (Issues: Why an upgrade or change is requested and justification for the request).  Additionally, upon receipt of the Applicant's DD Form 293, the NDRB mails an acceptance letter that includes Information Concerning Review Procedures, which discusses the submission of additional documents in paragraph 3, Submission of Evidence, and in the last section on page 4, Information Pertaining to a Review Based Upon Post-Service Conduct.  However, even if the Applicant could have produced additional evidence to support a review based on his post-service conduct, the Applicant must have a full understanding that post-service conduct alone does not guarantee an upgrade.  

Summary:  After a thorough review of the available evidence, to include the Applicant’s summary of service, medical and 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 PERSONALITY DISORDER.  

The Applicant remains eligible for a personal appearance hearing for a period of fifteen years from the date of her discharge.  The Applicant is directed to the Addendum, specifically the paragraphs titled Additional Reviews, Automatic Upgrades, and Post-Service Conduct.

Pertinent Regulation/Law

A.  Naval Military Personnel Manual, (NAVPERS 15560C), Change 11, effective 20 June 2005 until 28 May 2008, 
Article 1910-122, Separation By Reason of Convenience of the Government - Personality Disorder(s).

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 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 Disabled American 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 their 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 – Nonjudicial 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