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NAVY | DRB | 2007_Navy | ND0700644
Original file (ND0700644.rtf) Auto-classification: Denied
ex-PH3, USN
ND07-00644    

Current Discharge and Applicant’s Request
Application Received: 20070417            Characterization Received:
Narrative Reason: ALCOHOL REHABILITATION FAILURE                  Authority: MILPERSMAN 1910-152

 Applicant’s Request:      Characterization change to:
                           Narrative Reas on change :

Applicant’s Issues:       1. Post Service conduct – sobriety, three years of membership in American Legion, exceptional work habits, no civil law infractions since leaving the service.
                          

Decision

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

Discussion

 Issue 1 ( ): The NDRB is authorized to consider post-service factors in the re characterization 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 servi ce. Normally, to permit relief a procedural impropriety or inequity must have been found to have existed during the period of enlistment in question. O utstanding 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 stated in his letter to the board that he has had no alcohol related criminal activity since being discharged from the navy, has maintained sobriety, is a good citizen, and has been a member of the local chapter of the American Legion for the past three years in support of his argument for an upgrade based on post-service conduct . 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 Applicant’s un substantiated statements did not mitigate the misconduct which resulted in the Applicant’s discharge and 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

Summary of Service

Prior Service:
 Inactive: US N R (DEP) 19990922 - 199 9 0 928                 Active: 19840709 – 19880401 HON
         USNR 19900131-   UNK                        Active:  19 960107 – 19990928 HON                                               
Period of Service Under Review:
 Date of Enlistment: 19990929      Years Contracted : 4 ;                        Date of Discharge: 20030131
Length of Service : 03 Yrs 04 Mths 03 D ys                                              Lost Time :
Education Level: 12       Age at Enlistment: 33     AFQT: 54          Highest Rank /Rate : PH3
Evaluation marks (# of occasions):       Performance: 4.0 ( 5 )      Behavior: 3.6 ( 5 )                 OTA: 3.55 (5)      
Awards and Decorations ( per DD 214): MUC, GCM, NDSM, AFEM, SSDR (2)

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

 19991023:        Applicant cited for DUI while driving aboard Naval Station San Diego.

 19991111 :        NJP - v iol UCMJ Article 92 (failure to obey and order, transporting ammunition onboard Naval Station San Diego ) ; violation of UCMJ Article 111(drunken driving) .
         Awarded - FOP ( $ 200.00/ month for two months ); RIR ( E-2); Restr ( 45 days); Extra duties (45 days) .

20000224:        Applicant Completed Substance Abuse Rehabilitation at Naval Medical Center, San Diego. Following DUI on 23 Oct 1999 and diagnosis of alcohol dependency .
20021214:        Applicant cited for DUI (BAC 0.13).
20021223:        Applicant diagnosed as alcohol dependent by Substance Abuse Rehabilitation Department at Naval Medical Center, San Diego following on base DUI on 20021214, BAC 0.13.

Discharge Process

 Date Notified:                                       NOT FOUND IN RECORD      
Reason for Discharge:    
        
Least Favorable Characterization:       

Date Applicant Responded to Notification:                       
Rights Elected at Notification:
         Consult with Counsel                      
         Obtain Copies of Documents               
         Submit Statement(s) (date)                        
         Administrative Board                       
        
Separation Authority (date):     Commander, Fleet Imaging Command Pacific ( 20030117 )
 Reason for discharge directed: 
Characterization directed:     
Date Applicant Discharged:       20030131

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), re-issued October 2002, effective 22 August 2002 until 25 January 2004, Article 1910-152 (formerly Article 3630550), SEPARATION BY REASON OF ALCOHOL ABUSE R EHABILITATION FAILURE.

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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