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NAVY | DRB | 2007_Navy | ND0700347
Original file (ND0700347.rtf) Auto-classification: Denied
ex-ENFN, USN
ND07-00347
Current Discharge and Applicant’s Request
Application Received: 20070119   Characterization Received:
Narrative Reason: MISCONDUCT                       Authority: MILPERSMAN 3630620

 Applicant’s Request:      Characterization change to:
                           Narrative Reason change to:
Applicant’s Issues:       1. “weak at the time and not in the right frame of mind ”

Decision

 By a vote of the Characterization shall .
 By a vote of the Narrative Reason shall MISCONDUCT .
Date: 20 071011                             Location: Washington D.C.

Discussion

Issue 1 ( ). It was unclear to the Board whether or not the Applicant was claiming some sort of mental health issue that precipitated his illegal drug use; however, the Board found no evidence of such in the record. There is credible evidence in the record that the Applicant used illegal drugs. Mandatory processing for separation is required for Sailors who abuse illegal drugs. Separation under these conditions generally results in characterization of service under other than honorable conditions. The evidence of record does not demonstrate that the Applicant was not responsible for his conduct or that he should not be held accountable for his actions.

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

Administrative Corrections to the Applicant’s DD 214

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

         “ CONTINUOUS HONORABLE ACTIVE DUTY SERVICE FROM 19910904 UNTIL 19951101 ”
        
The NDRB will recommend to the C ommander, Navy Personnel Command, that the DD 214 be corrected as appropriate.

Summary of Service

Prior Service:
 Inactive: US N R (DEP)      19910611 - 19910903              Active:          19910904 - 19951101
Period of Service Under Review:
 Date of Enlistment: 19951102               Years Contracted :        Date of Discharge: 19971101
Length of Service : 02 Yrs 00 Mths 00 D ys          Lost Time : Days UA: Days Confine d :
Education Level:         Age at Enlistment:       AFQT: 34          Highest Rank /Rate : EN3
Evaluation marks (# of occasions):       NOT FOUND IN RECORD      Awards and Decorations ( per DD 214): NATIONAL DEFENSE SERVICE MEDAL (1), SEA SERVICE DEPLOYMENT RIBBON (2), NAVY BATTLE "E" RIBBON (3), NAVY ACHIEVEMENT MEDAL (1), GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL (1), KUWAIT LIBERATION MEDAL (1), NATO MEDAL (1), ARMED FORCES SERVICE MEDAL (1), SOUTHWEST ASIA SERVICE MEDAL (1)

Medical/Service Record Entries Related to Characterization of Service or Basis for Discharge

 19970722:        Counseled for adverse performance.

19971007 :         NAVDRUGLAB, Jacksonville, FL, reported Applicant’s urine sample, received 19970922, tested positive for tetrahydrocannabinol.

19971010 :         NAVDRUGLAB, Jacksonville, FL, reported Applicant’s urine sample, received 19970929, tested positive for tetrahydrocannabinol.

19971010 :        NJP -- Viol UCMJ Art. 128 - Assault, Art. 112a - Wrongful use, possession of controlled substance.
         Awarded - FOP ( $ 550.00 ) for ( 2 months); RIR ( E-3 ); Restr for ( 45 days); Extra duties ( 45 days) .
19971027:        Drug and Alcohol Abuse Report: Marijuana abuse, ashore off duty. Abuse denied. Commanding Officer recommended separation.

Discharge Process

 Date Notified:                                       19971015
Reason for Discharge:     -
Least Favorable Characterization:       

Date Applicant Responded to Notification:                  19971015
Rights Elected at Notification:
         Consult with Counsel                      
         Obtain Copies of Documents               
         Submit Statement(s) (date)                        
         Administrative Board                       
        
Commanding Officer Recommendation (date):        ( 19971024 )
Separation Authority (date):     COMMANDER, NAVAL BASE, NORFOLK ( 19971029 )
 Reason for discharge directed:  -
Characterization directed:     
Date Applicant Discharged:       19971101

Types of Documents Submitted by Applicant and Considered By Board

 Related to Military Service:      Service and/or Medical Record:            Other Records:

Related to Post-Service Period:         
         Employment:                        Finances:                          Education:               
         Health/Medical Records:                   Substance Abuse:                           Criminal Records:       
         Family/Personal Status:                   Community Service:                References:              
        
Additional Statements From Applicant:    From Representative:             Other Documentation (Describe)

Pertinent Regulation/Law

 A. Navy Military Personnel Manual, (NAVPERS 15560C), Change 14, effective 3 October 1996 until 11 December 1997, 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 .





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, 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.
Employmen t / 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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