Upgrade.Vet

NAVY | DRB | 2007_Navy | ND0700787

Original file (ND0700787.rtf) Auto-classification: Denied

ex-SA, USN
ND07-00787

Current Discharge and Applicant’s Request

Application Received: 20070516 Characterization Received:

Narrative Reason: IN LIEU OF TRIAL BY COURT MARTIAL Authority: MILPERSMAN 3630650

Applicant’s Request:      Characterization change to:
                           Narrative Reason change to:
Applicant’s Issues:       1. Applicant was not granted due process in determining his discharge
                           2. Applicant given false information about AWOL

Decision

By a vote of the Characterization shall .
By a vote of the Narrative Reason shall IN LIEU OF TRIAL BY COURT MARTIAL .

Date: 20 07121 3             Location: Washington D.C          R epresentation :

Discussion

Issue s 1 & 2: ( ). The Applicant contends that he was not granted due process in determining his discharge and that he was given false information about AWOL . 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 his issue. There is no evidence in the record, nor has the Applicant produced any evidence, to support the contention . The Board found the Applicant ’s service record incomplete. However, the Board determined that the Applicant was in an unauthorized absence status from 19910708 until 19970519 , t erminated by apprehension. U nauthorized absence is in violation of the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ), Article 86 [Unauthorized Absence (more than 30 days) ]. Violation of UCMJ Article 86 is considered serious offe nse for which a punitive discharge is authorized if adjudged by a Special or General Courts Martial . For the member’s information, a separation In Lieu of Trial by Court Martial is based on the voluntary request of the member an d is considered comparable to a plea bargain. An upgrade 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: US N R (DEP)      1990627 - 19900911               Active:
Period of Service Under Review:
Date of Enlistment: 19900912      Years Contracted : 4 ; Extension:          Date of Discharge: 19970626
Length of Service : 0 Yrs 11 Mths 5 D ys    Lost Time : Days UA: 5 years 8 months 10 days Days Confine d :
Education Level:         Age at Enlistment:       AFQT: 31          Highest Rank /Rate : SA
Evaluation marks (# of occasions):       Performance: NOT FOUND IN RECORD
Awards and Decorations ( per DD 214): NATIONAL DEFENSE DERVICE MEDAL, SOUTHWEST ASIA SERVICE MEDAL (W/3 BRZ STARS), KUWAIT LIBERATION MEDAL (KUWAIT), KUWAIT LIBERATION MEDAL (SAUDIA ARABIA), SEA SERVICE DEPLOYMENT RIBBON.

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

19900913:        Retention Warning: Retained despite defective enlistment for failure to disclose civil involvement/drug abuse.

19910424:        Applicant UA from 19910415-19910424 ( 10 days).

19970520:        Applicant apprehended by civil authorities 19970519 at Zanesville, Ohio.

19970606:        No disciplinary action for UA period 19910708 to 19970519.

Discharge Process

Charge(s) Preferred: NOT FOUND IN RECORD
Charge(s) and Specification(s): NOT FOUND IN RECORD

Date Applicant Submitted SILT request:            NOT FOUND IN RECORD
         Consulted with or Waived Counsel:
         Acknowledged Understanding Elements:
         Acknowledged Guilt to:                     Article(s) NOT FOUND IN RECORD
                  BCD/DD authorized for offense(s)
         Acknowledged Consequences of OTH:
         Type of Characterization Requested:      NOT FOUND IN RECORD

Commanding Officer Recommendation (date):
Separation Authority (date):                       NOT FOUND IN RECORD
         Reason for Discharge directed:
         Characterization directed:
Date Applicant Discharged :                         19970626

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 . Naval Military Personnel Manual, (NAVPERS 15560C), Change 14, effective
03 Oct 96 until 11 Dec 97, Article 3630650, PROCEDURES FOR PROCESSING ENLISTED PERSONNEL FOR SEPARATION IN LIEU OF TRIAL BY COURT-MARTIAL.

B. Secretary of the Navy Instruction 5420.174D of 22 December 2004, Naval Discharge Review Board (NDRB) Procedures and Standards, Part IV , Para 403m(7)(a), Presumption Concerning Court-Martial Specifications .

C . 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 .

D . 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 of the UCMJ, Article 86 , [ Unauthorized Absence (more than 30 days) ] .

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 | ND0700787

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