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NAVY | DRB | 2007_Navy | ND0700497
Original file (ND0700497.rtf) Auto-classification: Denied
ex-YN2, USN(TAR)
ND07-00497
Current Discharge and Applicant’s Request
Application Received: 20070302            Characterization Received:
Narrative Reason: Misconduct - Pattern of Misconduct                       Authority: MILPERSMAN 1910-140

 Applicant’s Request:      Characterization change to:
                           Narrative Reason change to:
Applicant’s Issues:       1. RE Code change
                           2. GI Bill
                           3. Isolated incident in 7 years of service

Decision

 By a vote of the Characterization shall .     
By a vote of the Narrative Reason shall PATTERN OF MISCONDUCT .
Date: 20 071120                     Location: Washington D.C          R epresentation :

Discussion

Issue(s) 1 - 2 : 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 3 ( ). Members may be separated by reason of misconduct – pattern of misconduct when during the current enlistment they have a set pattern of failure to pay just debts . The record clearly establishes that the Applicant’s failure to pay his debts was not “an isolated incident.” The record shows that the Applicant had been given 2 retention warnings regarding his financial irresponsibility, and failed to demonstrate appropriate corrective action. The record also supports the conclusion that, when confronted, the Applicant made false statements regarding the status of his debt and/or his efforts to resolve them. The NDRB advises the Applicant that the nature of much of his failure, i.e. intentionally writing checks on a closed account, constitutes serious misconduct under the UCMJ for which a punitive discharge is authorized upon conviction at special or general court-martial. An upgrade to honorable would be inappropriate.

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)      19990105 - 19990118     Active:          19990119 - 20021030
Period of Service Under Review:
 Date of Enlistment: 20021031      Years Contracted : ; Extension:   Date of Discharge: 20060508
Length of Service : 03 Yrs 06 Mths 08 D ys          Lost Time : Days UA: Days Confine d :
Education Level:         Age at Enlistment:       AFQT: 34          Highest Rank /Rate : YN2
Evaluation marks (# of occasions):       Performance: 3.3 ( 4 )       Behavior: 2.3 ( 4 )                   OTA: 3.04
Awards and Decorations ( per DD 214): NMCAM (3), NAVY "E" (2), GCM (2), NDSM, GWOTSM

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

 20050603:        Retention Warning for violation of Articles 92, Failure to obey order and 134, Failure to pay just debt.

 2006020 8 :        Retention Warning . No further information found in service record.
         [Extracted from Commanding Officer’s letter dated 20060630.]

20060320:        DONCAF issues Letter of Intent to revoke Applicant’s security clearance.
          [Extracted from COMNAVPERSCOM msg of 20060412.]
20060320:        Commanding Officer directed a preliminary inquiry into A pplicant’s alleged violations of the UCMJ.

20060405:        Preliminary Inquiry report: Applicant failed to obey regulations and has shown a patter n of failure to pay just debts. He has failed to place or maintain sufficient funds in or credit with the drawee bank for payment of checks in full upon their presentation for payment. Applicant is accused of indebtedness and shows no intention to pay most of the debt back. Recommend A pplicant be administratively discharged.
20060412:        COMNAVPERSCOM directed Applicant’s Commanding Officer to determine whether to suspend Applicant’s access to classified material pending resolution of clearance issues.
Discharge Process

 Date Notified:                                       20060427
Reason for Discharge:     -
Least Favorable Characterization:       

Date Applicant Responded to Notification:                  20060427
Rights Elected at Notification:
         Consult with Counsel                      
         Obtain Copies of Documents               
         Submit Statement(s) (date)                        
         Administrative Board                       
         GCMCA review                               

Commanding Officer Recommendation (date):       
Separation Authority (date):     COMMANDING OFFICER, NAVAL AIR STATION ATLANTA ( 20060501 )
 Reason for discharge directed:  -
Characterization directed:     
Date Applicant Discharged:       20060508

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 11, effective 26 April 2005 until Present, 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, Article s 123a, Making, drawing, or uttering check, draft, or order without sufficient funds; and 134, Debt, d ishonorabl y fail ing to pay .


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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