Upgrade.Vet

NAVY | DRB | 2006_Navy | ND0601180

Original file (ND0601180.rtf) Auto-classification: Denied

, ex-HN, USN
ND06-01180

Current Discharge and Applicant’s Request:

Application Received:                               20 06 0912
Characterization of Service:
Narrative Reason for Separation:                           - DRUG ABUSE
Discharge Authority:                                MPM 3630600
Last Duty Assignment/Command at Discharge:       navhosp jacksonville fl

Applicant’s Request:
         Characterization change to:
         Narrative Reason change to:
         Review Requested:
         Representation:
Applicant’s Issues as Summarized by the Board:    1. Equity – In service
                                                      2. Equity – Medical Condition

Decision:

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

Date of Decision:                                            20 070802
Location of Board:                                  Washington D.C.
Complete Service Record:
Complete Medical Record:
Complete Discharge Package:

Regarding propriety, the Board found the discharge:
Regarding equity, the Board found the discharge:

Discussion:

Issue 1 (Equity). The Applicant requests upgrade of h er service based on h er performance while in service. When the service of a member of the U.S. Navy has been honest and faithful, it is appropriate to characterize that service as honorable. A general discharge 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 Applicant’s service was marred by one non-judicial punishment proceeding for violation of UCMJ Article 112a (wrongful use, possession, etc… of a controlled substance). Article 112a is considered a serious offense for which a punitive discharge is authorized at courts martial. The Applicant’s conduct, which forms the primary basis for determining the character of h er service, reflects h er willful failure to meet the requirements of h er contract with the U.S. Navy and falls far short of that required for an upgrade of h er characterization of service.

Issue 2 (Equity). The Applicant contends that her medical condition can be attributed to her misconduct. While she may feel that her medical condition was the underlying cause of her misconduct, the record clearly reflects her willful misconduct and demonstrated she was unfit for further service. The evidence of record did not show that the Applicant was either not responsible for her conduct or that she should not be held accountable for her actions.

There is a presumption of regularity in the conduct of Government affairs. This presumption will be applied in any review 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, Service Record Entries, Medical Record Entries, Elements of Discharge and evidence submitted by the Applicant, the Board found the Applicant’s discharge proper and equitable.

Summary of Service:

Prior Service:
Inactive: USNR (DEP)                                19920323 - 19920408
Active: USNR                                          19920409 - 19940405

Period of Service Under Review:
Date of Enlistment:                                 199 40 406
Years Contracted :                                   ;
Date of Discharge:                                  19970826
Length of Service 0 3 YRS 0 4 MOS 2 1 DAYS (does not exclude lost time)
Time Lost During This Period:
Days UA: N ONE
Days Confinement: N ONE

Education Level:
Age at this Enlistment:
AFQT:                                                 51
Highest Rate/Rank:                                  HM3

Performance Evaluation Averages (number of marks):
Performance: 3.7(3)
Behavior: 3.9(3)
OTA: 3.8

Awards and Decorations (as listed on the DD Form 214): NATIONAL DEFENSE SERVICE MEDAL .

Service Record Entries Related to Characterization of Service or Narrative Reason for Separation

19940628 :        NJP for violation(s) of UCMJ:
         Article 92: On 19940611
         Article 128: On 19940611
         Award: Reduction to E-2. Reduction suspended for 6 months.
         No indication of appeal in the record.

19970606 :         NAVDRUGLAB, Jacksonville, FL, reported Applicant’s urine sample, received 19970522, tested positive for THC.

19970626 :        NJP for violation(s) of UCMJ:
         Article 112: On or about 19970522, wrongfully use marijuana.
         Award: Restriction and extra duty for 45 days, reduction to E-3.
         No indication of appeal in the record.

19970730:        Counseling: Applicant advised identified to be a drug abuser. necessary corrective actions explained.

Medical Record Entries Related to Characterization of Service or Narrative Reason for Separation

None

Elements of Discharge:

Discharge Process:
Date Notified:                              19970724
Reason for Discharge
Least Favorable Characterization Authorized:

Date Applicant Responded to Notification:                 19970724
Rights Elected at Notification:
Consult with Counsel
Administrative Board
Obtain Copies
Submit Statement(s) (date)
GCMCA Review

Commanding Officer Recommendation (date):        (19970804)
Separation Authority (date):     COMMANDER, NAVAL BASE, JACKSONVILLE (19970807)
         Narrative reason directed:
         Characterization directed:
Date Applicant Discharged:                         19970826

Additional Information Considered by Board

Type of documentation submitted by the Applicant and considered by the Board

        Document Type                                        #Pages
Related to Period of Service Under Review:
         Service/Medical Record:                            206
         Other Period of Service:                                    0
Related to Post-Service Period:
         Community Service:                                  0
         Education:                                           0
         Employment:                                          0
         Health/Medical:                                     0
         Character Statements:                               0
         Criminal Records Checks:                                    0
         Additional Statements from Applicant:             2
Other Documentation     (Describe Below)                 2

Total Number of Pages:                            206

Pertinent Regulation/Law

A . Navy Military Personnel Manual, (NAVPERS 15560C), Change 14, effective 03 Oct 96 until 11 Dec 97, Article 3630620 SEPARATION OF ENLISTED PERSONNEL BY REASON OF MISCONDUCT - DRUG ABUSE.

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 112a (Wrongful use, possession, etc… of a controlled substance).

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 . 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, provi ded 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 grante d 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

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NAVY | DRB | 2006_Navy | ND0601180

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