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NAVY | DRB | 2008_Navy | ND0801478
Original file (ND0801478.rtf) Auto-classification: Denied

ex-SK3, USN

Current Discharge and Applicant’s Request

Application Received: 20080702
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) 20010419 - 20010710                Active:

Period of Service Under Review:
Date of Enlistment: 20010711     Period of E nlistment : Years Extension          Date of Discharge: 20040402
Length of Service : Y ear s M onth s 13 D a ys       Education Level:         Age at Enlistment:       AFQT: 55
Highest Rank /Rate :       SK3       Evaluation M arks: Performance:    3.0 ( 1 )   Behavior: 1.0 ( 1 )         OTA: 2.00
Awards and Decorations ( per DD 214):      Rifle Pistol

Periods of UA /C ONF : 20030206
20030213
20031204-20040112 (41 Days)

NJP :
- 20021024 : Art icle 86 ( U A)
Article 128 ( Assault , consummated by battery )
Awarded : Susp ended :

S CM : SPCM:

C C :
- 20040112 : Offense: DWI
Sentence : 5 months jail (suspended), license suspended for 12 months, $536 fines and fees.
- 20020822 : Offense: DWI
Sentence : 5 months jail (suspended, license suspended for 12 months, $627 fines and fees ($450
suspended)


Retention Warnings:
- 20021024 : For NJP on 24 Oct 2004 for violations of UCMJ Articles 86 and 134.

-
20020916 : For NJP driving while intoxicated.

Administrative Corrections to the Applicant’s DD 214

The NDRB did note administrative error(s) on the original DD Form 214:

        
MILPERSMAN 1910-152

The NDRB will recommend to the C ommander, Navy Personnel Command , that the DD 214 be corrected as appropriate.



Types of Documents Submitted/reviewed

Related to Military Service:     
DD 214:         Service/ 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 Congress m ember :

Other Documentation (Describe) :


Pertinent Regulation/Law

A. Navy Military Personnel Manual, (NAVPERS 15560C), re-issued October 2002, effective 22 August 2002 until 28 April 2005, Article 1910-152, SEPARATION BY REASON OF ALCOHOL ABUSE REHABILITATION

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 s 111 and 128 .




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

Applicant’s Issues

1. Discharge should have been a medical discharge or a general discharge due to alcoholism.

Decision

Date: 20 08 1023             Location: Washington D.C .        R epresentation :

By a vote of the Characterization shall .
By a vote of the Narrative Reason shall ALCOHOL REHABILITATION FAILURE .

Discussion

: The Applicant appears to understand her characterization of service upon discharge was “Under Other Than Conditions.” Inspection of the record of evidence shows she was notified that the least favorable characterization w ould be General (Under Honorable Conditions)” and the characterization shown on her DD-214 reflects “General (Under Honorable Conditions).

The NDRB took the opportunity to review the circumstances which led to her discharge and the discharge process to ensure her discharge met the pertinent standards of equity and propriety. 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 is marred by two retention warning s, one non-judicial punishment for violation of the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ): Article s 86 (UA) and Article 128 (Assault) , and two convictions in civilian courts for driving while intoxicated. Violation of Article 128 and driving while intoxicated are considered serious offenses, punishable by punitive discharge or confinement if adjudicated and awarded as part of a sentence by a special or general court-martial. The command did not pursue a punitive discharge, but opted instead for an administrative discharge with a “General (Under Honorable Conditions)” characterization of service. 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 or for any basis wherein an Other Than Honorable Discharge is authorized, 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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