Upgrade.Vet

NAVY | DRB | 2008_Navy | ND0801109

Original file (ND0801109.rtf) Auto-classification: Denied

ex-GMSN, USN

Current Discharge and Applicant’s Request

Application Received: 20080422

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: US N R (DEP) 20021126 - 20030915                 Active:

Period of Service Under Review:
Date of Enlistment: 20030916     Period of E nlistment : Years Extension         Date of Discharge: 20050819
Length of Service : Y ea rs M on ths 04 D a ys         Education Level:        Age at Enlistment:       AFQT: 71
Highest Rank /Rate : GMSN Evaluation M arks: Performance: 3.0 ( 1 )     Behavior: 2.0 ( 1 )          OTA: 2.33
Awards and Decorations ( per DD 214): NDSM , GWOTEM , GWOTSM

NJPs :
20050715 : Art icle 86 ( Unauthorized a bsence ), 9 specifications :
                  - Spec ification 1 : Absent from unit 0600-1000, 20050610
                  - Spec ification 2: Absent from unit 0600-1000, 2005061 3
                  - Spec ification 3: Absent from unit 0600-1000, 2005061 4
                  - Spec ification 4: Absent from unit 0600-1000, 2005061 5
                  - Spec ification 5: Absent from unit 0600-1000, 2005061 6
                  - Spec ification 6: Absent from unit 0600-1000, 2005061 7
                  - Spec ification 7: Absent from unit 0600-1000, 200506 20
                  - Spec ification 8: Absent from unit 0600-1000, 200506 2 1
                  - Spec ification 9: Absent from unit 0600-1000, 200506 22
         Article 112a (Wrongful use of marijuana)
Awarded : , , , . Susp ended:

S CMs :

SPCMs:

CC:
20041213 : Offense: DUI
         Sentence : 12 month suspension of operator's license, $250.00 fine, $177.00 court cost .

Retention Warnings:
20041216 : For alcohol related incident, driving under the influence, underage drinking 20041213 .

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:

Related to Post-Service Period (cont):

Additional Statements From Applicant:             From Representat ion :              From Member of Congress:
Other Documentation (Describe) :
         - Letter of explanation from Applicant’s mother

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 112a .

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

Applicant’s Issues

1. Medical condition mitigates his misconduct .

Decision

Date: 20 08 1002 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: (Equity) RELIEF NOT WARRANTED. The Applicant contends his mitigate his misconduct. 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’s record of service was marred by for violations of the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ): Article 86 ( UA), 9 Specifications and Article 112a (Drug use) . Violation of Article 112a is considered a serious offense which can be punishable by a bad conduct or dishonorable discharge and up to imprisonment if adjudicated and awarded as part of a sentence by a special or general court-martial.

For the edification of the Applicant, punitive or administrative discharges take precedence over discharges for medical reasons. Additionally, discharges for medical reason s require evaluation and adjudication by a Physical Evaluation Board which will review the disability. If a member is processed for administrative involuntary separation or referred to a court-martial for misconduct, the disability evaluation is suspended. A review of the Applicant’s medical records does not indicate he was undergoing a Physical Evaluation Board; n or do his records document where military medical doctors indicated he was not responsible for his misconduct due to any medical condition . While he may feel his medical issue was the underlying cause of his misconduct, the evidence of record does not demonstrate the Applicant was not responsible for his conduct or he should not be held accountable for his actions due to a medical condition .

The Applicant has requested an upgrade of his characterization. A “General (Under Honorable Conditions)” is appropriate if the member’s service has been honest and faithful but significant negative aspects of the member’s conduct or performance outweighs positive aspects of the member’s military record. An “U nder O ther T han H onorable ” conditions discharge is appropriate when the basis for separation is commission or omission of an act that constitutes a significant departure from the conduct expected from a service member. The Board agreed 9 instances of unauthorized absence by failure to report to place of duty combined with illegal drug use represented a significant departure for the conduct expected from a Sailor in the U.S. Navy and the characterization received, “Under Other Than Honorable” was appropriate. The Board determined an upgrade would be inappropriate.

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

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 or is referred to a court martial 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 other medical related reasons. 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 special 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. The NDRB does not have the jurisdictional authority to review a discharge or dismissal resulting from a general court-martial.

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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NAVY | DRB | 2008_Navy | ND0801109

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