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NAVY | DRB | 2007_Navy | ND0700633
Original file (ND0700633.rtf) Auto-classification: Denied
ex-SKSA, USN
ND07-00633    
Current Discharge and Applicant’s Request
Application Received: 20070417   Characterization Received: GENERAL (UNDER HONORABLE CONDITIONS)
Narrative Reason: HARDSHIP                                  Authority: MILPERSMAN 1910-110

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

Applicant’s Issues:       1. G. I. Bill
                           2. Reenlist
                           3. Discharged for honorable reasons


Decision

 By a vote of the Characterization shall .
 By a vote of the Narrative Reason shall HARDSHIP .
Date: 20 071129                     Location: Washington D.C          R epresentation :


Discussion

 Issue s 1 and 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 ( ): The Applicant contends that he was discharged for honorable reasons. While the Applicant’s reason for requesting a hardship discharge may be honorable the characterization of service is a determination of the quality of service given by the member during his enlistment. 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 Applicant’s service was marred by an administrative warning for wrongful use of government phones, a retention warning and a nonjudicial punishment following 59 days of unauthorized absence which included missing ships movement. For the information of the Applicant, v iolations of UCMJ Article s 86 and 87 carry a penalty of a dishonorable discharge and up to a year of imprisonment for each specification if adjudicated by a court martial. The Applicant’s conduct, which forms the primary basis for determining the character of service, reflects the Applicant’s willful failure to meet the requirements of his contract with the U.S. Navy and falls far short of that required for an upgrade in the characterization of his service.

In reviewing discharges, the Board presume s regularity in the conduct of g overnment al 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 the discharge was equitable.


Summary of Service

Prior Service:
 Inactive: US N R (DEP) 20001013 - 20001015                                   Active:
Period of Service Under Review:
 Date of Enlistment: 20001026               Years Contracted : 4 ; Extension: 12 months                  Date of Discharge: 200205331
Length of Service : 01 Yrs 05   Mths 08 D ys                                                Lost Time : Days UA : 59
Education Level: 12       Age at Enlistment: 20     AFQT: 52          Highest Rank /Rate : SKSA
Evaluation marks (# of occasions):       Performance: 2.0 ( 2 )      Behavior: 2.0 ( 2 )        OTA: 2.33 (2)      
Awards and Decorations ( per DD 214): National Defense Service Medal


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

 20011009:        Administrative counseling warning for unauthorized use of government phones for personal calls.

20020115 :         Applicant to unauthorized absence at 1330.

20020315:        Applicant from unauthorized absence at 2100 (59 days)

20020402 :        NJP - v iol UCMJ Article 86 (unauthorized absence) from 20020116 – 20020316 and Article 87 (missing movement) on 20020209.
         Awarded - FOP ( $ 645.00 for two mo nths, Suspended for six months); RIR (E-1, Suspended for six months); Restr ( 45 days); Extra duties (45 days) .
20020402 :        Retention Warning for violations of UCMJ Articles 86 (unauthorized absence) and 87 (missing movement) .
20020514:        Applicant requested a hardship discharge.


Discharge Process

 Separation Authority (date):     Commanding Officer, USS HAWES (FFG 53)
Reason for discharge directed:  Convenience of the government - Hardship
Characterization directed:     
Date Applicant Discharged:       20020531


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) Obituary for Cynthia Diane Bell-Widgeon


Pertinent Regulation/Law

 A. The Naval Military Personnel Manual, (NAVPERS 15560C), Change 18, effective 12 Dec 97 until 21 Aug 02, Article 1910-110 (Previously 3620210), Separation by Reason of Convenience of the Government - Hardship.
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 s of the UCMJ, Article s 86 and 87 .

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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