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NAVY | DRB | 2007_Navy | ND0700919
Original file (ND0700919.rtf) Auto-classification: Denied
ex-SR, USN
ND07-00919
Current Discharge and Applicant’s Request
Application Received: 20070626   Characterization Received:
Narrative Reason: IN LIEU OF TRIAL BY COURT-MARTIAL      Authority: MILPERSMAN 3630650

 Applicant’s Request:      Characterization change to: or                                                                                                   
                           Narrative Reason change to:
Applicant’s Issues:       1. Desire to re-enlist and/or enhance employment opportunities
                           2. Misconduct due to girlfriend’s pregnancy

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 080103             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 ( ). Per regulation, members are eligible for an entry level separation within the first 180 days of their enlistment. Periods of unauthorized absence do not suspend the running of those days. The misconduct for which the Applicant was eventually discharged began more than 6 months after the Applicant began active duty. He did not qualify for an entry level separation. The Applicant contends his disciplinary problems were caused by his girlfriend’s pregnancy and its complications. The NDRB recognizes that serving in the U.S. Navy is challenging. Our country is fortunate to have men and women willing to endure the hardships and sacrifices required in order to serve their country. It must be noted that most members of the Navy serve honorably and therefore earn their honorable discharges. In fairness to those members of the Navy, commanders and separation authorities are tasked to ensure that undeserving Sailors receive no higher characterization than is due. The NDRB found that the Applicant's service was equitably characterized.

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. The Applicant acknowledges that he submitted a request for separation in lieu of trial by court-martial with the advice of counsel . 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: None.
Period of Service Under Review:
 Date of Enlistment: 19930604               Years Contracted : (2 year active obligation)     Date of Discharge: 19950120
Length of Service : 01 Yrs 07 Mths 17 D ys                            Lost Time : Days UA: 284 Days Confine d : *
Education Level:                  Age at Enlistment:                AFQT: 50 /52                Highest Rank /Rate : SR
Evaluation marks (# of occasions):       Performance: 2.6 ( 1 )       Behavior: 2.6 ( 1 )                   OTA: 2.60
Awards and Decorations ( per DD 214): NDSM, BATTLE "E"

         *Applicant indicates he underwent a period of pre-trial confinement.

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

 19930714:        Commenced recruit training.

 19931220 :         To unauthorized absence.

19940104:        From unauthorized absence (15 days/surrendered) .

 19940120 :        NJP -- Viol UCMJ Art. 86 – UA 0700, 19931220 – 0845, 19940104 .
         Awarded - Restr for ( 30 days) , 15 days susp ; Extra duties ( 30 days) , 15 days susp .
19940215:        To unauthorized absence.

1 9941110:        From unauthorized absence (269 days/apprehended) .
19941208 :        Staff Judge Advocate, Naval Station, San Diego, requested medical examination to determine if Applicant was able to understand charges and nature of proceedings pending.

Not dated:       Senior Medical Officer, Branch Medical Clinic, NAS Miramar, certified that Applicant had been examined and was capable of understanding the nature of the proceedings pending, and that psychiatric evaluation was not warranted as part of the evaluation processing.
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

Commanding Officer Recommendation (date):        NOT FOUND IN RECORD
Separation Authority (date):                       NOT FOUND IN RECORD
         Reason for Discharge directed:           
         Characterization directed:                        
Date Applicant Discharged :                         19950120

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 9, effective 22 Jul 94 until 2 Oct 96, 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 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 86, Absence without leave (for 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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