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NAVY | DRB | 2007_Navy | ND0700468
Original file (ND0700468.rtf) Auto-classification: Denied
ex-ITSN, USN
ND07-00468
Current Discharge and Applicant’s Request
Application Received: 20070227   Characterization Received:
Narrative Reason: MISCONDUCT                       Authority: MILPERSMAN 1910-142

 Applicant’s Request:      Characterization change to:
                           Narrative Reason change:

Applicant’s Issues:       1. One isolated incident, not equitably characterized based on total service.
                          

Decision

 By a vote of the Characterization shall .     
By a vote of the Narrative Reason shall MISCONDUCT .
Date: 20 071101                                       Location: Washington D.C.       


Discussion

 Issue 1 ( ): The Applicant states her discharge was based on one isolated incident and inequitable because her punishment was too harsh. Despite a servicem ember’s prior record of service certain serious offenses warrant separation from the naval service in order to maintain proper order and discipline. The Applicant’s service was marred by nonjudicial punishment for violations of UCMJ Article 92 ( failure to obey ) and Article 86 ( unauthorized absence ) . V iolation s of Article 92 are considered the commission of a serious offense ( the misconduct for whi ch the Applicant was discharged) and is punishable by a maximum penalty of a dishonorable discharge and 2 year s of imprisonment when directed by a court martial . T he Applicant waived h er right to a general court martial convening authority review and the Bureau of Naval Personnel directed her discharge after ensuring com pliance with MILPERSMAN 1910-142 . Regulations limit the Board’s review to a determination of the propriety and equity of the discharge. Based upon the record, nothing indicates that the Applicant’s discharge was in any way inconsistent with the standards of discipline in the United States Navy. A “ general (under honorable conditions ) ” characterization of service 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. In the Applicant’s case, the Board could discern no impropriety or inequity and therefore considers the discharge prope r and equitable.

In reviewing discharges, the Board presumes regularity in the conduct of g overnment affairs unless there is substantial credible evidence ( to include evidence submitted by the Applicant ) to rebut the presumption . After a thorough review of all available evidence, to include the Applicant’s summary of s ervice, medical and s ervice r ecord entries, discharge p rocess and evidence submitted by the Applicant, the Board found that


Summary of Service

Prior Service:
 ANG               19950617 - 19960816               

Inactive: 20020227 – 20020624 COG
Period of Service Under Review:
 Date of Enlistment: 20020 6 2 5               Years Contracted : 4       Date of Discharge: 20040819
Length of Service : Active: 02 Yrs 01 Mths 25 D ys                            Lost Time :
Education Level:         Age at Enlistment:       AFQT: 80          Highest Rank /Rate : ITSN
Evaluation marks (# of occasions):       Performance: 2.5                   Behavior: 2.0     OTA: 2.42 (2)
Awards and Decorations ( per DD 214): NATIONAL DEFENSE SERVICE MEDAL , NAVAL ACHIEVEMENT MEDAL (not listed)


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

 2004 0804 :        NJP - Viol UCMJ Art. 86 (unauthorized absence) UA until 1245 on 20040804; Violation of UCMJ Art. 92 (fail to obey) failed to obey order on 20040804 to report for duty NLT 1245.
          Awarded - RIR ( E- 2 ) .

20040806:        Commanding Officer Fleet Logistics Support Squadron Four Eight recommended the Applicant’s discharge by reason of convenience of the government due to parenthood and misconduct due to commission of a serious offen s e to Bureau of Naval Personnel. Commanding Officer’s comments, “ITSN N_ (Applicant) has stated that she cannot comply with the Navy Family Care Plan Program, and her judgment has resulted in her inability to adapt to Navy priorities and values. She has been unwilling to obtain suitable child-care, which would allow her to be a contributing member of the U. S. Navy. She has a history of missing work in order to take care of her children and she has refused her chain of command’s offer to help with child-care and financial aid. She is simply unwilling to adhere to the rules and regulations of this command and the U. S. Navy, and is simply unwilling to conduct herself in a manner conducive to good order and discipline. ITSN N_ has stated that she wants out of the military and she will not adapt to the standards and expectations of routine military life. ”


Discharge Process

 Date Notified:                                       20040805
Reason for Discharge:     -
         -
Least Favorable Characterization:       

Date Applicant Responded to Notification:                  20040805
Rights Elected at Notification:
         Consult with Counsel                      
         Obtain Copies of Documents               
         Submit Statement(s) (date)                        
         GCMCA review                               

Commanding Officer Recommendation (date):        ( 20040806 )
Separation Authority (date):     COMNAVPERSCOM ( 20040809 )
 Reason for discharge directed:  -
Characterization directed:     
Date Applicant Discharged:       20040819


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 1002 until 25 April 2005, Article 1910-142, SEPARATION BY REASON OF MISCONDUCT - COMMISSION OF A SERIOUS OFFENSE.

 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 92 .


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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