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NAVY | DRB | 2007_Navy | ND0700590
Original file (ND0700590.rtf) Auto-classification: Denied
ex-ATAN, USN
ND07-00590
Current Discharge and Applicant’s Request
Application Received: 20070404            Characterization Received:
Narrative Reason: PERSONALITY DISORDER                              Authority: MILPERSMAN 1910-122

 Applicant’s Request:      Characterization change to:
                           Nar rative Reason change :

Applicant’s Issues:       1. I never neglected my duties despite severe depression.
                           2. Post service conduct – enrolled in college, no longer depressed.


Decision

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


Discussion

 Issue 1 ( ): The Applicant contends her service was inequitable characterized because she never neglected her duties. 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 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. 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. The record documented the Applicant’s nonjudicial punishment for her 15 day unauthorized absence which occurred many months prior to her diagnosis of personality disorder. Based on the personality disorder diagnosis and subsequent processing in accordance with the MILPERSMAN 1910-122 the discharge was proper and a general (under honorable conditions ) characterization of service was warranted .

Issue 2 ( ): The NDRB is authorized to consider post-service factors in the recharacterization of a discharge. However, 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 the civilian life subsequent to leaving the service. Normally, to permit relief a procedural impropriety or inequity must have been found to have existed during the period of enlistment in question. Outstanding post-service conduct to the extent that such matters provide a basis for a more thorough understanding of the Applicant’s performance and conduct during the period of service under review, is considered. The Applicant provided a letter from her doctor stating that she is no longer depressed and stated that she intends to begin college as documentation of h er post-service accomplishments. The Applicant's efforts need to be more encompassing than those provided. For example, the Applicant could have produced evidence of continuing educational pursuits, a verifiable employment record, documentation of community service, and certification of non-involvement with civil authorities. The Board determined that the documentation provided by the Applicant did not mitigate the misconduct which resulted in the Applicant’s discharge and the characterization of h er service.

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 the available evidence, to include the Applicant’s s ummary of s ervice, m edical and s ervice r ecord e ntries, d ischarge p rocess and evidence submitted by the Applicant, the Board found that



Summary of Service

Prior Service:
 Inactive: US N R (DEP)      19960416 - 19961111              Active:
Period of Service Under Review:
 Date of Enlistment: 19961112               Years Contracted :        Date of Discharge: 19980624
Length of Service : 01 Yrs 07 Mths 13 D ys                                     Lost Time : Days UA:
Education Level:         Age at Enlistment:       AFQT: 64          Highest Rank /Rate : ATAN
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

 19980105:        Applicant to unauthorized absence at 0600.

19980120:        Applicant from unauthorized absence at 2215 (15 days, surrendered).

 19980122 :        NJP - Viol UCMJ Art. 86 (u nauthorized absence ) from 0600 19980105 until 2215 19980120 (15 days, 17 hours, 15 minutes).
         Awarded - c orrectional custody unit ; RIR ( E-2 ) . Suspended for 6 months.

19980520:        Medical Record: Psychiatry unit Keesler Air Force Base Hospital.
         Diagnosis: Adjustment Disorder with depressed mood and personality disorder not otherwise specified . "...make it likely that she will continue to be susceptible to such events as adjustment disorders with suicidality while on active duty ...."
         Recommendation: Strongly recommend ATAN D_ (Applicant) be separated from active duty as expeditiously as possible .

19980527 :        Administrative/Counseling Warning – you are being separated from the naval service for the convenience of the government due to personality disorder .

Discharge Process

 Date Notified:                                       19980527
Reason for Discharge:     -
Least Favorable Characterization:       

Date Applicant Responded to Notification:                  19980601
Rights Elected at Notification:
         Consult with Counsel                      
         Obtain Copies of Documents               
         Submit Statement(s) (date)                        
         Administrative Board                       
        
Separation Authority (date):     COMMANDING OFFICER, NAVAL TECHNICAL TRAINING UNIT, KEESLER AFB ( 19980605 )
 Reason for discharge directed:  -
Characterization directed:     
Date Applicant Discharged:       19980624


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) Letter of current mental health from G_ P_ H_ D.O. 20070129


Pertinent Regulation/Law

 A. Naval Military Personnel Manual, (NAVPERS 15560C), Change 18, effective 12 December 1997 until 31 August 1998, Article 1910-122, SEPARATION BY REASON OF CONVENIENCE OF THE GOVERNMENT - PERSONALITY DISORDER(S).

 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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