Upgrade.Vet

NAVY | DRB | 2007_Navy | ND0700469

Original file (ND0700469.rtf) Auto-classification: Denied

ex-SN, USN
ND07-00469

Current Discharge and Applicant’s Request

Application Received: 20070222 Characterization Received:
Narrative Reason: MISCONDUCT DUE TO COMMISSION OF SERIOUS OFFENSE Authority: MILPERSMAN 1910-142

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

Applicant’s Issues:       1. Reenlistment/RE Code change
                           2. One isolated incident.
                           3. Harsh life lon g repercussions of youthful foolish mistake.

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: either which the Board cannot form the basis of relief for the Applicant, or the Board does not have the authority to grant the relief for which the Applicant petitioned. The Applicant is directed to the Addendum regarding .

Issue 2 ( ): The Applicant states his discharge was based on one isolated incident. Despite a servicemember’s prior record of service, certain serious offenses even though isolated warrant separation from naval service in order to maintain proper order and discipline. The official record document ed the Applicant’s extended unauthorized absence, which is the basis for his discharge. Violations of UCMJ Article 86 (unauthorized absence in excess of 30 days) are considered the commission of a serious offense, the misconduct for which the Applicant was discharged. This violation carries a maximum penalty of a dishonorable discharge and one year of imprisonment if adjudicated by court martial . The Applicant’s conduct, which forms the primary basis for determining the character of his service, reflects his willful failure to meet the requirements of his contract with the U.S. Navy and falls short of that required for an upgrade to his characterization of service.

Issue 3 ( ): The Applicant contends that his discharge was inequitable because his punishment was too harsh based on youthful indiscretions. The Board reviews the propriety and equity of each Applicant’s discharge individually. Regulations permit relief on equitable grounds if the Applicant’s discharge is inconsistent with the standards of discipline of the n aval service. 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. The evidence supported the discharge based on misconduct due the commission of a serious offense, the basis for which the Applicant was administratively discharged. That separation was appropriate, and a n under other than honorable conditions discharge was warranted.

In reviewing discharges, the Board presumes regularity in the conduct of Government 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 s ummary of s ervice, m edical and s ervice r ecord e ntries, discharge p rocess and evidence submitted by the Applicant, the Board found that

Administrative Corrections to the Applicant’s DD 214

The NDRB did note administrative errors on the original DD Form 214 :

         , should read: “ NAVY USN ”
         “ MISCONDUCT ”

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)      19990611 - 19990623              Active:
Period of Service Under Review:
Date of Enlistment: 19990624      Years Contracted : ; Extension: Date of Discharge: 20010125
Length of Service : 01 Yrs 07 Mths 02 D ys                                     Lost Time : Days UA:
Education Level:         Age at Enlistment:       AFQT: 64          Highest Rank /Rate : SN
Evaluation marks (# of occasions):       Performance: N/A          Behavior: N/A             OTA: N/A
Awards and Decorations ( per DD 214): NONE

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

20001214 :        NJP - Viol UCMJ Art. 86 (unauthorized absence, 89 days) .
         Awarded - FOP ( $ 546.00 for 2 months); Restr ( 45 days); Extra duties ( 45 days) , oral reprimand.

Discharge Process

Date Notified:                                       NOT FOUND IN RECORD
Reason for Discharge:
Least Favorable Characterization:

Date Applicant Responded to Notification:                  NOT FOUND IN RECORD
Rights Elected at Notification:
         Consult with Counsel
         Obtain Copies of Documents
         Submit Statement(s) (date)
         Administrative Board                        ( based on separation code assigned )
         GCMCA review

Commanding Officer Recommendation (date):        NOT FOUND IN RECORD
Separation Authority (date):     NOT FOUND IN RECORD
Reason for discharge directed:
Characterization directed:
Date Applicant Discharged:       20010125

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), Change 31, effective 25 January 2001 until 21 August 2002, 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 86 .

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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NAVY | DRB | 2007_Navy | ND0700469

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