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NAVY | DRB | 2007_Navy | ND0700473
Original file (ND0700473.rtf) Auto-classification: Denied
ex-CTMSN, USN
ND07-00473
Current Discharge and Applicant’s Request
Application Received: 20070228   Characterization Received:
Narrative Reason: MISCONDUCT COMMISSION OF A SERIOUS OFFENSE Authority: MILPERSMAN 3630600

 Applicant’s Request:      Characterization change to:
                           Narrative Reason change to:
Applicant’s Issues:       1. Isolated incident in six years of service
                           2. Experiencing personal hardship/CO guaranteed honor able DC

Decision

 By a vote of the Characterization shall .     
By a vote of the Narrative Reason shall MISCONDUCT       .
Date: 20 071115                                             Location: Washington D.C.       

Discussion

 Issue 1 ( ) : The Applicant contends that h is discharge was inequitable as he had only one infraction on an otherwise clean service record in approximately six years of service . The NDRB advises the Applicant that, despite a service member’s prior record of service, certain serious offenses, even though isolated, warrant separation from the Navy in order to maintain proper order and discipline. The Applicant's misconduct is documented in his application package to the NDRB, which shows h is service record to be marred by the finding at a nonjudicial punishment (NJP) proceeding on 19 9 41217 of violation of UCMJ Article 92 Willful dereliction of duty . This misconduct substantiates the reason for h is separation as well as the characterization of service as under other than honorable conditions.

Issue 2 ( ) : The Applicant also contends that his problems in the Navy can be attributed to his " ugly divorce and child living with a guardian ." While he may feel that his personal problems were the underlying cause of his misconduct, the record clearly reflects that he went to NJP for violation of the UCMJ, Article 92, Willful dereliction of duty, was awarded punishment and administratively processed for commission of a serious offense . The evidence of record did not show that the Applicant was either not responsible for his conduct or that he should not be held accountable for his actions. Additionally, there is no indication in the record, neither has the Applicant presented evidence to the board in writing, indicating that the commanding officer recommended a general characterization of discharge . To the contrary, the evidence contained in the Applicant’s service record indicates that the commanding officer recommended an other than honorable characterization of discharge. The NDRB found that the Applicant's service was equitably characterized.

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)      19771222 - 19780726              Active:          19780727 - 19800813
Active:          19800814 - 19840921                        Active:          198 70128 - 19800813
Inactive: USNR-R 19870128 - 19890127
Period of Service Under Review:
 Date of Enlistment: 19901031      Years Contracted : ; Extension:                   Date of Discharge: 19950214
Length of Service : 04 Yrs 03 Mths 14 D ys          Lost Time : Days UA: Days Confine d :
Education Level:         Age at Enlistment:       AFQT: 96          Highest Rank /Rate : CTM1
Evaluation marks (# of occasions):       Performance: 3.7 ( 6 )       Behavior: 3.7 ( 6 )                   OTA: 3.66
Awards and Decorations ( per DD 214): SECOND GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL FOR PERIOD ENDING 93SEP05, NATIONAL DEFENSE SERVICE MEDAL, ARMED FORCES EXPEDITIONARY MEDAL

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

 19901031:        Reenlisted this date for a term of 6 years

19941217 :        NJP -- Viol UCMJ Art. 92 – Willful dereliction of duty on 19941202 to 19941207 .
         Awarded - FOP ( $ 824.00 ) for ( 2 months); RIR ( E-5 ); Restr for ( 45 days); Extra duties ( 45 days) .

Discharge Process

 Date Notified:                                       19950104
Reason for Discharge:     -
        
Least Favorable Characterization:       

Date Applicant Responded to Notification:                  19950109
Rights Elected at Notification:
         Consult with Counsel                      
         Obtain Copies of Documents               
         Submit Statement(s) (date)                        
         Administrative Board                       
         GCMCA review                               

Commanding Officer Recommendation (date):        ( 19950112 )
Separation Authority (date):     BUPERS ( 19950126 )
 Reason for discharge directed:  -
Characterization directed:     
Date Applicant Discharged:       19950214

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 9, effective
22 Jul 94 until 02 Oct 96, Article 3630600, SEPARATION OF ENLISTED PERSONNEL 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 .


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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