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NAVY | DRB | 2007_Navy | ND0700365
Original file (ND0700365.rtf) Auto-classification: Denied
ex-BMSN, USN
ND07-00365
Current Discharge and Applicant’s Request
Application Received: 20070131 Characterization Received:
Narrative Reason: PATTERN OF MISCONDUCT                            Authority: MILPERSMAN 1910-140

 Applicant’s Request:      Characterization change to:
                           Narrative Reason change to:
Applicant’s Issues:       1. Misconduct caused by undiagnosed/untreated medical conditions
                           2. Discharge not warranted by overall performance

Decision

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

Discussion

Issue 1 ( ). The Applicant contends tha t his misconduct was due to being Bipolar Manic Depressive, as diagnosed post-service, and his in-service untreated alcohol problem. The Applicant provided no evidence to support his claim of being Bipolar Manic Depressive. The Board noted that two of the Applicant’s NJPs did involve alcohol related offenses; however, the record does not demonstrate that the Applicant was not responsible for his conduct or should not have been held accountable for his actions.

Issue 2 ( ). When the service of a member of the U.S. Navy meets acceptable standards of performance and conduct, it is appropriate to characterize that service as honorable. A general discharge is warranted when service has been honest and faithful, but 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 2 retention warnings, 3 nonjudicial punishment proceedings for violations of Articles 86, 92, 108, 128, and 134 of the UCMJ. Such misconduct constitutes a significant departure from the conduct expected of member of the Naval service. Most of the Applicant’s offenses constitute a serious offense for which a punitive discharge is authorized upon conviction thereof at special or general court-martial. The Applicant waived his right to challenge the proposed separation and contest the recommended characterization of service at an administrative discharge board, and the Board found no impropriety or inequity in the discharge.

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

Summary of Service

Prior Service:
 Inactive: US N R (DEP)      20000214 - 20000802              Active:
Period of Service Under Review:
 Date of Enlistment: 20000803               Years Contracted :                 Date of Discharge: 20040206
Length of Service : 03 Yrs 06 Mths 04 D ys          Lost Time : Days UA: Days Confine d :
Education Level:         Age at Enlistment:       AFQT: 56          Highest Rank /Rate : BM3
Evaluation marks (# of occasions):       Performance: 3.5 ( 2 )       Behavior: 3.5 ( 2 )          OTA: 3.43
Awards and Decorations ( per DD 214): NAVY "E" RIBBON (2), SEA SERVICE DEPLOYMENT RIBBON (2), NAVY UNIT COMMENDATION


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

 20020628:        NJP -- Viol UCMJ Art s . 108 - Destruction of government property; 134 (2 specs ) - underage drinking and drunk and disorderly.
         Awarded - FOP ($ 758.00 ) for ( 1 months); Restr for ( 30 days); Extra duties ( 30 days).
2002062 9 :        Retention Warning for destruction of government property, underage drinking, drunk and disorderly.

20021107:        NJP -- Viol UCMJ Art. 86 - Unauthorized absence, Art. 92 (2 specs) - (1) Dereliction of duty, (2) Failure to obey a lawful order, Art. 134 - Wrongfully consume alcoholic beverages as a minor .
          Awarded - FOP ($ 692.00 ) for ( 2 months); RIR ( E-3 ); Restr for ( 30 days); Extra duties ( 30 days).
20021107:        Retention Warning for unauthorized absence, w rongfully consume alcoholic beverages as a minor, dereliction of duty, failure to obey a lawful order .
20031207 :        NJP -- Viol UCMJ Art. 128 – Assault consummated by battery upon junior female seaman .
         Awarded - FOP ( $ 814.40 ) for ( 2 months); RIR ( E-3 ); Restr for ( 60 days).
Discharge Process

 Date Notified:                                       20040107
Reason for Discharge:     -
Least Favorable Characterization:       
Date Applicant Responded to Notification:                  20040107
Rights Elected at Notification:
         Consult with Counsel                      
         Obtain Copies of Documents               
         Submit Statement(s) (date)                        
         Administrative Board                       
Commanding Officer Recommendation (date):        ( 20040123 )
Separation Authority (date):     COMMANDER, NAVY REGION HAWAII ( 20040126 )
 Reason for discharge directed:  -
Characterization directed:     
Date Applicant Discharged:       20040206

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. Naval Military Personnel Manual, (NAVPERS 15560C), re-issued October 2002, effective 22 August 2002 until 25 April 2005, Article 1910-140, SEPARATION BY REASON OF MISCONDUCT - PATTERN OF MISCONDUCT.

 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, Articles 92, Failure to obey order or regulation; 108, Military propery of the United States--sale, loss, damage, destruction or wrongful disposition; and 128, Assault.


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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