Title: DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY
Author: CAP
Last saved by: jennifer.miles
Company: NCPB

Docket No. ND09-01812

ex-ITSR, USN

Current Discharge and Applicant’s Request

Application Received: 20090616
Characterization of Service Received:  (per DD 214)  BAD CONDUCT DISCHARGE
Narrative Reason for Discharge:  (per DD 214)   COURT-MARTIAL
Authority for Discharge: (per DD 214)  MILPERSMAN 5815-010 [COURT-MARTIAL]

Applicant’s Request:	Characterization change to:	GENERAL (UNDER HONORABLE CONDITIONS)
	Narrative Reason change to:	NONE REQUESTED

Summary of Service

Prior Service:
Inactive:	USNR (DEP)	20050527 - 20051203  COG	Active:	NONE

Period of Service Under Review:
Date of Current Enlistment:  20051204	Age at Enlistment:  18
Period of Enlistment:  4 Years  NO Extension
Date of Discharge:  20080408	Highest Rank/Rate:  ITSA
Length of Service:  01 Year(s)   09  Month(s)   22 Day(s)
Education Level:  12	AFQT:  75
Evaluation Marks:	Performance:  3.0 (1)	Behavior:  3.0 (1)	OTA:  3.00

Awards and Decorations (per DD 214):	NDSM GWOTSM

NJP:  NONE     SCM:  NONE

SPCM:  1

- 20070711:	Article 81 (Conspire to steal a government computer)  
	Article 86 (UA 20070516-20070518, 3 days)
	Article 121 (Larceny), 4 specifications
	Specification 1: Steal 2 Dell Latitude 610 laptop computers on 20061113
	Specification 2: Steal 2 Dell Latitude 610 laptop computers on 20061120
	Specification 3: Wrongful appropriate a 2003 Mitsubishi Galant on 20070210
	Specification 4: Steal 2 Virginia License plates on 20070210 
	Article 112a (Wrongfully use marijuana, 65 ng/ml)
	Sentence: CONF 10 months (Pre-trial: 20070518-20070711, 54 days; 20070711-20071130, 142 days) RIR E-1 BCD

CC:  NONE

Retention Warning Counseling:  1

- 20051205:	For article 92, violate a lawful general regulation by wrongfully viewing pornographic Website on a Government computer.  

Administrative Corrections to the Applicant’s DD 214

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

	Block 29, Dates of Time Lost During This Period, should read “20070516-20070518 (3); 20070518-20071130 (195)”
	
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.  The Naval Military Personnel Manual, (NAVPERS 15560C), Change 21, effective 19 December 2007 until Present, Article 5815-010, EXECUTING A DISHONORABLE OR BAD CONDUCT DISCHARGE.

B.  Secretary of the Navy Instruction 5420.174D of 22 December 2004, Naval Discharge Review Board (NDRB) Procedures and Standards, Part IV, Para 403m(7)(a), Presumption Concerning Court-Martial Specifications.

C.  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.  Wants his reentry (RE) code upgraded.
2.  Learned from his mistakes and gained a lot of knowledge over the last several months.

Decision

Date:  20100422	DOCUMENTARY REVIEW	Location:  Washington D.C.	Representation:  NONE

By a vote of 5-0 the Characterization shall remain BAD CONDUCT.
By a vote of 5-0 the Narrative Reason shall remain COURT-MARTIAL.

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 Government affairs unless there is substantial credible evidence to rebut the presumption, to include evidence submitted by the Applicant.  With respect to a discharge adjudged by a court-martial case, 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.   In response to the Applicant's clemency request, relevant and material facts stated in a court-martial specification are presumed by the NDRB to be established facts.  The Applicant's case was considered under the pertinent standards of equity to determine if any factors in this particular case merited clemency.  The Applicant’s record of service included one NAVPERS 1070/613 (Page 13) warning, and one special court-marital for violations of the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ): Article 81 (Conspiracy, 1 specification: to steal a government computer), Article 86 (Absence without leave, 1 specification: 3 days), Article 112a (Wrongful use of controlled substances, 1 specification: marijuana, 65 ng/ml) (DoD cutoff limit for marijuana is 15 ng/ml), and Article 121 (Larceny, 4 specifications: 1) steal two Dell laptop computers valued at $2000 on 13 November 2006; 2) steal two Dell laptop computers valued at $2000 on 20 November 2006; 3) wrongfully appropriate a 2003 Mitsubishi Galant valued greater than $500 on 10 February 2007; and 4) steal two Virginia license plates valued at less than $500 on 10 February 2007).  Based on the offenses committed by the Applicant, his command convened a special court-martial.  The Applicant pled and was found guilty of all charges except that of stealing the Mitsubishi Galant, which he pled and was found guilty of the lesser offense of wrongful appropriation. The Applicant was reduced in rank to E-1, sentenced to ten months of confinement and given a Bad Conduct discharge.

Issue 1:  (Nondecisional)  The Applicant wants his RE code upgraded.  The NDRB has no jurisdiction over reenlistment, reentry, or reinstatement into the Navy, Marine Corps, or any other of the Armed Forces, and is not authorized to change a reentry (RE) code.  

Issue 2:  (Decisional) (Clemency)  RELIEF NOT WARRANTED.  The Applicant contends he has learned from his mistakes and gained a lot of knowledge from his friends and family over the last several months.  The NDRB considers post-service conduct 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, he failed to provide any additional documentation and evidence on his 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.  The Applicant should provide documentation which could include but not limited to:  letters of personal references and verifiable employment record/letter of recommendation from his employers; evidence of a drug free life style (completion of rehab/proof he attended Narcotics Anonymous or AA meetings); and certification of non-involvement with civil authorities, evidence of financial stability (home ownership/home rental history, credit card payments); college transcripts; documentation of community/church service and if married, a marriage certificate.  The Applicant should be aware completion of these items alone does not guarantee an upgrade from an unfavorable discharge as each discharge is reviewed by the Board on a case by case basis to determine if post service conduct mitigates the reason for the characterization of discharge. 

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 clemency was not warranted.  Therefore, the awarded characterization of service shall remain BAD CONDUCT and the narrative reason for separation shall remain COURT-MARTIAL.

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, Automatic Upgrades, 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 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