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NAVY | DRB | 2009_Navy | ND0900126
Original file (ND0900126.rtf) Auto-classification: Denied

ex-SR, USN
Current Discharge and Applicant’s Request
Application Received: 20081021
Characterization of Service Received:
Narrative Reason for Discharge: ERRONEOUS ENTRY - ALCOHOL ABUSE
Authority for Discharge: MILPERSMAN 3620280

Applicant’s Request: Characterization change to: HONORABLE OR GENERAL (UNDER HONORABLE CONDITIONS)
                  Narrative Reason change to:

Summary of Service

Prior Service:
Inactive: US N R (DEP)      19990805 - 19991004     Active:  

Period of Service Under Review:
Date of Enlistment: 19991005     Age at Enlistment:
Period of E nlistment : Years Extension
Date of Discharge: 19991020      Highest Rank/Rate: SR
Length of Service : Y ear ( s ) M onth ( s ) 16 D a y ( s )
Education Level:        AFQT: 79
Evaluation M arks:         Performance: NFIR         Behavior: NFIR   OTA: NFIR

Awards and Decorations ( per DD 214): NONE

Periods of UA /C ONF : NJP : S CM : SPCM: C C :

Retention Warning Counseling :

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

         “ MILPERSMAN 1910-130 ”

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 :

Oth er Documentation :







Pertinent Regulation/Law

 A. The Naval Military Personnel Manual, (NAVPERS 15560C), Change 18, effective 12 December 1997 until 12 June 2001, Article 1910-130, Separation by Reason of Defective Enlistments and Inductions - Erroneous Enlistment.

 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 .




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

Applicant’s Issues

 1. Discharge was improper and inequitable due to the extreme RE Code assigned .
2. Discharge improper to due to lack of evidence.
Decision

Date: 20 0 9 0212             Location: Washington D.C .        R epresentation :

By a vote of the Characterization shall .
 By a vote of the Narrative Reason shall ERRONEOUS ENTRY – ALCOHOL ABUSE .
Discussion

 : The Applicant contends his discharge is improper and inequitable based on the extreme RE Code. For the Applicant’s edification, the RE Code is assigned by the separation authority based on the type of discharge and is used to determine whether or not one may reenlist or enlist in another branch of service. This is an Issue the Board does not have the authority to grant the relief for which the Applicant petitioned. The refore, the Applicant is directed to review the Addendum , specifically the paragraph concerning s , for add itional information regarding .

: ( ) . The Applicant requested a change in the discharge characterization to “G eneral (U nder H onorable C onditions ) ” or “H onorable ” , contending his discharge was based on a lack of evidence of alcohol abuse. 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 reflects he was administratively discharged from the Navy due to erroneous enlistment - alcohol abuse. The App licant was noted to have a conduct disorder as evidence by his deliberate destruction of others ’ property, attempt to steal someone’s vehicle while intoxicated, theft of items, and running away for a month while residing with his parents. A Recruit Mental Health Evaluation was performed on 12 October 1999 and d uring this evaluation the Applicant reported multiple symptoms of alcohol dependence, morning relief drinking and loss of control. The Applicant was given a diagnos is of conduct disorder and alcohol dependent , existing prior to entry into the military. He was recommended for entry level separation due to a disqualifying psychiatric condition. Based on the foregoing, the Board determined there was sufficient evidence to support the basis for administrative separation due to erroneous entry –alcohol abuse.

The Board also determined the characterization of service as “U ncharacterized ” (Entry Level Separation) was appropriate. By regulation, members notified of intended recommendation for discharge within the first 180 days of continuous active duty are eligible for an uncharacterized or entry-level separation characterization of service. Unless there were unusual circumstances regarding a service member’s performance or conduct that would merit an honorable characterization, an uncharacterized discharge is generally considered the most appropriate characterization of a member’s service. The Applicant's service record did not contain any unusual circumstances during his less than one month in the military to warrant a change of discharge to “H onorable ” .

The Applicant should be aware that, with respect to non - service related administrative matters, i.e., VA benefits, educational pursuits, and especially civilian employment, an uncharacterized separation is considered the equivalent of an honorable or general (under honorable conditions) discharge.
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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