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NAVY | DRB | 2008_Navy | ND0800863
Original file (ND0800863.rtf) Auto-classification: Denied

ex-MM3, USN
Current Discharge and Applicant’s Request
Application Received: 20080318
Characterization of Service Received:
Narrative Reason for Discharge:
Authority for Discharge: MILPERSMAN

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

Summary of Service

Prior Service:
 Inactive: USNR (DEP)     20010822 - 20020122              Active:          20020123 - 20040222
Period of Service Under Review:
 Date of Enlistment: 20040223      Period of Enlistment : Years Extension  Date of Discharge: 20060413
Length of Service: Yrs Mths 21 D ys     Education Level:         Age at Enlistment:       AFQT: 81
Highest Rank/Rate: MM2    Evaluation Marks: Performance: 3.3 ( 3 )   Behavior: 2.3 ( 3 )         OTA: 3.09
Awards and Decorations (per DD 214):

Periods of UA/CONF:

NJPs:   
         20060303 : Art 92 (Dereliction of duty).
         Awarded - . Susp - .

SCMs:   

SPCMs:  

CC:     

Retention Warnings: .

 MEDICAL:         2
          20051116: Diagnostic Impressions: Adjustment disorder with depressed mood. R/O Depressive disorder NOS.
Rule out personality disorder - borderline traits. Bruised knuckles secondary to
punching pipe - medically cleared. Routine military service.
         GAF: Current: 65. Highest in past year: 85.
         Implications and Recommendations: Return to full duty. Applicant is psychologically fit and suitable for
same.

          20060325: Initial evaluation on 20051116 where applicant admitted a history of self-mutilation since the age of 20.
Applicant has participated in individual and group therapy since November 2005. Applicant is unwilling
to utilize medications and has exhausted the services available to him. The applicant continues to self-
mutilate and was recently noted during Captains Mast to have carved crosses on his right hand.
        
Diagnosis: Depressive disorder NOS. Borderline personality disorder. Superficial lacerations to left arm.
         Routine military service. Current GAF: 70. Highest in past year: 85.
        
Recommendation: Evaluating psychologist strongly recommends expeditious administrative separation
for unsuitability.

Types of Documents Submitted/Reviewed

 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 Representation:              From Member of Congress:
Other Documentation (Describe)



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

Applicant’s Issues

 1. The Applicant claims he should not be held liable to repay a bonus received for a reenlistment commitment he was unable to fulfill.


Decision

Date: 20080627 Location: Washington D.C         R epresentation :

By a vote of the Characterization shall .
By a vote of the Narrative Reason shall PERSONALITY DISORDER .
Discussion

 : This is an Issue which the Board cannot form the basis of relief for the Applicant, or one that the Board does not have the authority to grant relief for which the Applicant petitioned. The Applicant is directed to the ADDENDUM , specifically the paragraph concerning Additional Reviews with reference to the Board of Correction of Naval Records (BCNR) for this matter. Additionally, the NDRB recommends contacting the Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS) concerning a waiver for your reenlistment bonus. The web address for DFAS is WWW.DFAS.MIL.

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. Although the Applicant was discharged due in part to a personality disorder, his discharge characterization was also based on his violation of the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ), Article 92 (Dereliction of duty). Violations of Article 92 are considered serious offenses which can be punishable by a punitive discharge and 6 months confinement if awarded by a court-martial; the command opted for non-judicial punishment (NJP). However, the NJP is enough to warrant a general discharge instead of an honorable discharge from the service. The Board determined an upgrade would be inappropriate.

Additionally, for the Applicant’s edification, wh en a service member reenlists and a bonus is part of the reenlistment contract they must sign a form that obligates them to repay that portion of bonus money that was not earned should the contract not be fulfilled. The Applicant agreed to a 6 year contract and only served 2 years and 2 months of the 6 year contract. Because the Applicant did not complete the terms of the contract he is obligated to repay the appropriate portion of bonus money not earned unless otherwise officially relieved of that obligation by the government. As stated above, the Applicant is directed to the offices of BCNR and/or DFAS for adjudication of this issue.

After a thorough review of the available evidence, to include the Applicant’s Summary of Service, Record Entries, Discharge Process and evidence submitted by the Applicant, the Board found

Pertinent Regulation/Law
A. Naval Military Personnel Manual, (NAVPERS 15560C), Change 11, effective 20 June 2005 until Present, Article 1910-122, Separation By Reason of Convenience of the Government - Personality Disorder(s).

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 92.

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, provided 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 granted 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.
Employment/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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