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NAVY | DRB | 2008_Navy | ND0800080
Original file (ND0800080.rtf) Auto-classification: Denied

ex-HN, USN
Current Discharge and Applicant’s Request
Application Received: 20071010
Characterization of Service Received:
Narrative Reason for Discharge:
Authority for Discharge: MILPERSMAN (drug abuse)

Applicant’s Request:     Characterization change to:
                           Narrative Reason change to:

Summary of Service

Prior Service:
 Inactive: US N R (DEP)      20031217 - 20040119              Active:
Period of Service Under Review:
 Date of Enlistment: 20040120      Period of enlistment : Years Extension          Date of Discharge: 20060825
Length of Service : Yrs Mths 05 D ys      Education Level:         Age at Enlistment:       AFQT: N/A
Highest Rank /Rate : HM3    Evaluation marks: Performance: N/A        Behavior: N/A     OTA: N/A
Awards and Decorations ( per DD 214): Rifle Pistol CAR, Purple Heart

Periods of UA /C ONF :

NJPs :    
         20060628 : Art(s) 112a . (Drug abuse). Awarded - Susp -

S CMs :   

SPCMs:  

C C :      

Retention Warnings: .
        
Types of Documents Submitted

 Related to Military Service:      DD 214:          Service and/or Medical Record:            Other Records:

Related to Post-Service Period:  
         Employment:                        Finances:                          Education /Training :     
         Health/Medical Records:           Substance Abuse:                           Criminal Records:       
         Family/Personal Status:           Community Service:                References:              
        
Additional Statements From Applicant:             From Representat ion :              From Member of Congress:
Other Documentation (Describe)



DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY
NAVAL DISCHARGE REVIEW BOARD (NDRB)
DISCHARGE REVIEW DECISIONAL DOCUMENT

Applicant’s Issues

 1. Applicant claims his discharge was based on one isolated incident over 31 months of honorable service.
2 . Applicant claims post traumatic stress syndrome (PTSD) contributed to h is misconduct.

Decision

Date: 20 08 0509             Location: Washington D.C         R epresentation :

By a vote of the Characterization shall .
 By a vote of the Narrative Reason shall MISCONDUCT .
Discussion

 Issue 1 ( ) : The Applicant claims his discharge was based on one isolated incident over 31 months of honorable service. The NDRB advises the Applicant despite a service member ’ s prior record of service certain serious offenses, even though isolated, warrant separation from the Navy in order to maintain proper order and discipline. The Applicant's misconduct is documented in his service record, which is marred by the finding at a non - judicial punishment (NJP) proceeding on 28 June 200 6 by a violation of the U niform C ode of M ilitary J ustice (UCMJ), Article 112a, Wrongful use of a controlled substance. Although discharge for one violation of the UCMJ may seem harsh, that violation was for abuse of a controlled substance. Individuals are indoctrinated from the day of recruitment and have had the policy reinforced through annual Navy-wide training sessions throughout their enlistment on the U.S Navy ’ s zero tolerance policy for substance abuse and that a violation of this policy will result in mandatory processing for administrative separation ; usually result ing in an unfavorable characterization of discharge. Accordingly, this misconduct substantiates the reason for his separation as well as his characterization of service under other than honorable conditions. No other narrative reason for separation or characterization could more clearly describe why the Applicant was discharged.

Issue 2 ( ) : The Applicant claims Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome (PTSD) contributed to his misconduct and warrants and upgrade of his characterization of service. The Board reviews the propriety and equity of an Applicant’s discharge individually, on a case-by-case basis. If such a review reveals an impropriety or inequity, relief is in order. Regulations permit relief on equitable grounds if the Applicant’s discharge is inconsistent with standards of discipline of the Naval service. There is credible evidence in the record the Applicant committed misconduct through use of drugs; t he Applicant does not deny this misconduct. However, th e medical evidence of record is conflicting on whether or not the Applicant was responsible for h is c onduct or whether he should be held accountable for h is actions.

The Applicant was evaluated by competent medical authority at the Naval Hospital , Charleston , SC on 26 Jun 200 6 . The Applicant was subsequently diagnosed with delayed PTSD and the associated recommendation from the primary care provider suggested the Applicant suffered from delayed PTSD which was related to his service in Iraq. The NDRB considered the diagnosed PTSD as a mitigating factor associated with the Applicant’s in service misconduct on 8 June 2006 . Additionally, the NDRB noted the absence of any documented adverse conduct in the record before the incident on 8 June 2006 . The NDRB determined based on this evidence there w as i nequity in the Applicant’s discharge action . T herefore , and a n upgrade in the characterization of the Applicants service to general (under honorable conditions) is warranted.

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 the discharge was proper but not equitable.









Pertinent Regulation/Law

 A. Naval Military Personnel Manual , Article 1910-146 effective period 10 May 2005 until present .

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 112a , wrongful use of a controlled substance .



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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