ex-EM3, USN
                                 ND07-00764

                  Current Discharge and Applicant’s Request

Application Received:  20070515   Characterization Received:
Narrative Reason:  PARENTHODD OR CUSTODIAN  OF  MINOR  CHILDREN   Authority:
MILPERSMAN 1910-124

Applicant’s Request:   Characterization change to:
                 Narrative Reason change to: FAMILY HARDSHIP
Applicant’s Issues:    1. VA Benefits
                 2. She was told at the time of discharge that her
separation was under the category of family hardship.

                                  Decision

By a vote of  the Characterization shall  .
By a vote of  the Narrative Reason shall  PARENTHOOD OR CUSTODIAN OF MINOR
CHILDREN.

Date:  20071213        Location:  Washington D.C    Representation:

                                 Discussion

Issue 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 contends that she was told at the time of her
discharge that her separation was under the category of family hardship.
The government enjoys a presumption of regularity in the conduct of its
affairs.  The Applicant bears the burden of overcoming this presumption
through the presentation of substantial and credible evidence to support
her issue.  The Applicant’s service record clearly reflects that on
20030725 that the Applicant submitted a special request to be discharged
from the military IAW MILPERSMAN Article 1910-124.   MILPERSMAN Article
1910-124 is the proper procedure to use for Separation by Reason of
Convenience of the Government – Parenthood.  MILPERSMAN Article 1910-110 is
the proper procedure to use for Separation by Convenience of the Government
– Hardship.  The Board determined that changing the Applicant’s Narrative
Reason to Hardship 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: USNR (DEP)   20000825 - 20010626         Active:
Period of Service Under Review:
Date of Enlistment: 20010627 Years Contracted:  ; Extension:        Date of
Discharge:  20030822
Length of Service:  2  Yrs  1  Mths  26  Dys Lost Time:  Days UA:    Days
Confined:
Education Level:       Age at Enlistment:    AFQT:  84   Highest Rank/Rate:
 EM-3
Evaluation marks (# of occasions):      Performance:       (  )
Behavior:       (  )    OTA:       
Awards and Decorations (per DD 214):  NATIONAL DEFENSE SERVICE MEDAL



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

20030725:   Applicant submits request for discharge from the military IAW
           MILPERSMAN 1910-124

20030814:   Retention Warning for Failure to maintain and up-to-date Family
           Care Certificate.

20031202:   Commanding Officer, NNPTC to COMNAVPERSCOM: Locally separated
           under the authority granted by MILSPERSMAN 1910-700.

                              Discharge Process

Date Notified:                          20030819
Reason for Discharge:   -

Least Favorable Characterization:

Date Applicant Responded to Notification:          20030819
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): NNPTC (20030820)
              Reason for discharge directed:  -
              Characterization directed:
Date Applicant Discharged:   20030822

      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.  The Naval Military Personnel Manual, (NAVPERS 15560C, re-issued October
2002, effective 22 August 2002 until 25 January 2004, Article 1910-124
(previously 3620215), Separation by reason of Convenience of the Government
- Parenthood.

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, provided 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 granted 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.

Employment/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