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NAVY | DRB | 2007_Navy | ND0700837
Original file (ND0700837.rtf) Auto-classification: Denied
ex-MM2, USN
ND07-00837
Current Discharge and Applicant’s Request
Application Received: 20070601   Characterization Received:
Narrative Reason: MISCONDUCT (DRUG ABUSE)        Authority: MILPERSMAN 1910-146

 Applicant’s Request:      Characterization change to:
                           Narrative Reason change to:
Applicant’s Issues:       1. Desire to return to active duty.
                           2. Did not use illegal drugs.

Decision

 By a vote of the Characterization shall .
 By a vote of the Narrative Reason shall MISCONDUCT (DRUG ABUSE) .
Date: 20 080110                   Location: Washington D.C         R epresentation :

Discussion

 : 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 claims that the negative result returned from the urinalysis he underwent upon termination of his unauthorized absence (UA) demonstrates that he did not use illegal drugs. However, the Applicant voluntarily claimed to have used illegal drugs while UA, and the urinalysis result can be as readily explained by the possibility that the drugs had metabolized through the Applicant’s system and were no longer detectable from the urinalysis testing. Essentially, the Applicant asks this Board to believe that he made a false official statement in claiming to have committed a serious violation of the Uniform Code of Military Justice. The Board did not find the Applicant’s claim credible. Further, the Board determined that even if credible, the Applicant’s claim to not having used illegal drugs did not mitigate the Applicant’s lengthy UA period, which constituted a serious offense for which a punitive discharge is authorized upon conviction at special or general court-martial, and which alone warranted characterization of service as under other than honorable conditions.

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)      19981204 - 19990802              Active:          19990803 - 20030930
Period of Service Under Review:
 Date of Enlistment: 20031001                        Years Contracted : ; Extension:   Date of Discharge: 20061201
Length of Service : 03 Yrs 02 Mths 01 D ys                            Lost Time : Days UA: 130 Days Confine d :
Education Level:                  Age at Enlistment:                AFQT: 40          Highest Rank /Rate : MM2
Evaluation marks (# of occasions):       Performance: 4.0 ( 2 )       Behavior: 4.0 ( 2 )                   OTA: 3.50
Awards and Decorations ( per DD 214): SSBN STRATEGIC DETERRENT PATROL PIN, PISTOL EX, RIFLE EX, GCM(2), BATTLE "E", NMCAM, ENLSUBWARINS

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

 20060510 :         COMNAVPERSCOM issued permanent change of station (PCS) orders for Applicant to detach from USS RHODE ISLAND (SSBN 740) (GOLD) when directed in Jun 2006 and report no later than 20060706 to NAVSUBSUPFAC, New London, CT.

 20060522:        Applicant completed check-out from USS RHODE ISLAND (SSBN 740) (GOLD).

Not dated:       USS RHODE ISLAND (SSBN 740) (GOLD) underway.

 20060706:        Applicant failed to report to NAVSUBSUPFAC, New London, CT. Inquiry revealed that Applicant failed to report to Personnel Support Detachment to execute PCS orders. To unauthorized absence effective 20060601.

20061010:        From unauthorized absence ( 130 days/surrendered) .

20061011:        Applicant administered urinalysis. Admitted to marijuana, cocaine and Zanex use while absent.

Discharge Process

 Date Notified:                                       20061017
Reason for Discharge:     -
         -
Least Favorable Characterization:       

Date Applicant Responded to Notification:                  20061017
Rights Elected at Notification:
         Consult with Counsel                      
         Obtain Copies of Documents               
         Submit Statement(s) (date)                        
         Administrative Board                       

20061019:        Medical Record: Reason for visit: Substance abuse rehabilitation program treatment determination.
         Diagnosis: Does not meet criteria for drug abuse. Does meet criteria for alcohol dependence.
         Recommendation: Intensive outpatient treatment.

20061023:        Applicant refused alcohol treatment.

 Commanding Officer Recommendation (date):        ( 20061031 )
Separation Authority (date):     COMMANDER, SUBMARINE GROUP 10 ( 20061113 )
 Reason for discharge directed:  -
Characterization directed:     
Date Applicant Discharged:       20061201

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) Ltr from member of Congress

Pertinent Regulation/Law

 A. The Naval Military Personnel Manual, (NAVPERS 15560C), Change 11, effective 29 April 2005 until Present, Article 1910-146, Separation by Reason of Misconduct - 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 .

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 of the UCMJ, Article s 86 , Absence without leave (for more than 30 days); and 112a, Wrongful use, possession, etc., of controlled substances.



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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