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NAVY | DRB | 2007_Navy | ND0700595

Original file (ND0700595.rtf) Auto-classification: Denied

ex-SR, USN
ND07-00595

Current Discharge and Applicant’s Request

Application Received: 20070327 Characterization Received:
Narrative Reason: MISCONDUCT Authority: MILPERSMAN 3630620

Applicant’s Request:      Characterization change to:
                           Narrative Reason change to: (b)
Applicant’s Issues:       1. Enhance employment opportunities
                           2. Misconduct was isolated incident caused by immaturity

Decision

By a vote of the Characterization shall .
By a vote of the Narrative Reason shall MISCONDUCT .

Date: 20 071120 Location: Washington D.C R epresentation :

Discussion

Issue(s) 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 in two years of service, and that it was one poor decision made while he was very young. Despite a servicemember’s prior record of service, certain serious offenses, even though isolated, warrant separation from the Naval service in order to maintain proper order and discipline. The Applicant’s service record is marred by award of nonjudicial punishment (NJP) for illegal drug use, thus substantiating the misconduct for which he was separated. 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. The Applicant was properly notified of the proposed discharge, waived his right to an administrative board, and indicated that he did not object to separation. T he Board could discern no impropriety or inequity and therefore considers his discharge proper and equitable.

The Board noted that the Applicant, on his DD 293, indicated a request for a narrative reason change to “(b).” As there is no such reason for discharge, the Board concluded that the Applicant was referring to his request for a characterization of service change to general (under honorable conditions) which is choice “b” on that form. The Board found that the Applicant’s reason for discharge, “Misconduct,” to be proper and equitable.

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)      19921120 - 19930119              Active:
Period of Service Under Review:
Date of Enlistment: 19930120      Years Contracted :        Date of Discharge: 19950323
Length of Service : 02 Yrs 02 Mths 04 D ys          Lost Time : Days UA: Days Confine d :
Education Level:         Age at Enlistment:       AFQT: 54          Highest Rank /Rate : SA
Evaluation marks (# of occasions):       Performance: 2.7 ( 3 )       Behavior: 2.7 ( 3 )          OTA: 3.00
Awards and Decorations ( per DD 214): NDSM, BATTLE "E"

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

19941223 :         NAVDRUGLAB, San Diego, CA, reported Applicant’s urine sample, received 19941219 , tested positive for amphetamine/methamphetamine.

19950112:        Drug and Alcohol Abuse Report: Amphetamines abuse, ashore off duty, less than monthly. Random urinalysis 19941219. Physician found applicant not dependent and recommended Level I treatment. Commanding Officer recommended separation. Comments: Applicant is a 20 year old with 2 years of naval service. Commanding Officer has determined that service member has no potential for future naval service.

19950130 :        NJP -- Viol UCMJ Art. 112a - Wrongful possession of controlled substance (methamphetamine).
         Awarded - FOP ( $ 416.00 ) for ( 2 months); RIR ( E-1 ); Restr for ( 45 days); Extra duties ( 45 days) .

Discharge Process

Date Notified:                                       19950201
Reason for Discharge:     -
Least Favorable Characterization:

Date Applicant Responded to Notification:                  19950201
Rights Elected at Notification:
         Consult with Counsel
         Obtain Copies of Documents
         Submit Statement(s) (date)
         Administrative Board

Commanding Officer Recommendation (date):        ( 19950207 )
Separation Authority (date):     BUPERS ( 19950306 )
Reason for discharge directed: -
Characterization directed:
Date Applicant Discharged:       19950323

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. Navy Military Personnel Manual, (NAVPERS 15560C), Change 9/94, effective 22 July 1994 until 2 October 1996, Article 3630620, SEPARATION OF ENLISTED MEMBERS BY REASON OF MISCONDUCT DUE TO DRUG ABUSE.

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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NAVY | DRB | 2007_Navy | ND0700595

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