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NAVY | DRB | 2007_Navy | ND0700981
Original file (ND0700981.rtf) Auto-classification: Denied
ex-ABHAN, USN
ND07-00981
Current Discharge and Applicant’s Request
Application Received: 20070712   Characterization Received:
Narrative Reason: PHYSICAL STANDARDS     Authority: MILPERSMAN 1910-170

 Applicant’s Request:      Characterization change to:
                           Narrative Rea son change :

Applicant’s Issues:       1. Montgomery GI Bill
                           2. Good evals, never got in trouble (no DRBs, Capt’s Mast or Courts Martial), Good Conduct                                  Medal, and good worker.


Decision

 By a vote of the Characterization shall .
 By a vote of the Narrative Reason shall PHYSICAL STANDARDS .

Date: 20 080110                   Location: Washington D.C         R epresentation :


Discussion

 After a thorough review of the records, supporting documents, facts, and circumstances unique to this cas e, the NDRB discerned an inequity in the Applicant’s characterization of service . The Board voted 5-0 that the character ization of service shall change to HONORABL E .

Naval Military Personnel Manual, (NAVPERS 15560C), Change 12, effective 3 August 2005 until Present, MILPERSMAN Article 1910-170, SEPARATION BY REASON OF PHYSICAL FITNESS ASSESSMENT FAILURE , states : “ The characterization for separation should be Honorable, unless an Entry Level Separation or General (Under Honorable Conditions) is warranted per MILPERSMAN 1910-300. ” The MILPERSMAN defines “HONORABLE” service as: “ When the quality of the member’s service generally met the standard of acceptable conduct and performance for naval personnel.” The Board found no negative evaluations, counseling’s or retention war nings in the Applicant’s record therefore, by unanimous vote determined that relief is warranted based on an inequitable characterization of service assigned on the Applicant’s original DD-214 . The characterization of service sh all be changed to “ HONORABLE ”. Relief granted.


Summary of Service

Prior Service:
 Inactive: US N R (DEP) 20021127 - 20030506       
Period of Service Under Review:
 Date of Enlistment: 20030507               Years Contracted : 4 ;               Date of Discharge: 20060908
Length of Service : 03 Yrs 04 Mths 02 D ys                                     Lost Time :
Education Level: 12       Age at Enlistment: 23     AFQT: 39          Highest Rank /Rate : ABHAN
Evaluation marks (# of occasions):       Performance: NA           Behavior: NA              OTA: NA
Awards and Decorations ( per DD 214): NDSM, GWOTEM, GWOTSM, GCM

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

 20050607 :        Physical Fitness Assessment failure / Administrative Counseling / Warning: First PRT Failure (run 15 : 05 ) with body fat composition failure (24 %).

2005 11 07 :        Physical Fitness Assessment failure / Administrative Counseling / Warning: First PRT Failure (run 16:38) with body fat composition failure (23%).

20060601:        Physical Fitness Assessment failure / Administrative Counseling / Warning: First PRT Failure (run 14.18) with body fat composition failure (22%).

20060830:        Recommendation for separation comments: “ABHAN L_ (Applicant) has been in the Navy for 3 years and 3 months and on board USS GEORGE WASHINGTON for 3 years. He failed to maintain physical readiness standards, resulting in him failing four physical readiness tests and five body composition assessments. There for I recommend ABHAN L_ be separated from the Naval Service with a General (Under Honorable Conditions) discharge due to Physical Fitness Assessment Failure.


Discharge Process

 Date Notified:                                       20060823
Reason for Discharge:     PHYSICAL FITNESS ASSESSMENT FAILURE
Least Favorable Characterization:       

Date Applicant Responded to Notification:                  20060823
Rights Elected at Notification:
         Consult with Counsel                      
         Obtain Copies of Documents               
         Submit Statement(s) (date)                        
         GCMCA review                               

Separation Authority (date):     Commanding Officer, USS GEORGE WAHSINGTON (CVN 73) (20060830 )
 Reason for discharge directed:  PHYSICAL FITNESS ASSESSMENT FAILURE
Characterization directed:     
Date Applicant Discharged:       20060908


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 12, effective 3 August 2005 until Present, MILPERSMAN Article 1910-170, SEPARATION BY REASON OF PHYSICAL FITNESS ASSESSMENT 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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