Upgrade.Vet

NAVY | DRB | 2009_Navy | ND0900674

Original file (ND0900674.rtf) Auto-classification: Denied

ex-OS2, USN

Current Discharge and Applicant’s Request

Application Received: 20090127

Characterization of Service Received:

Narrative Reason for Discharge:

Authority for Discharge: MILPERSMAN

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

Summary of Service

Prior Service:
Inactive:         US N R (DEP)        20010131 - 20010212     Active:

Period of Service Under Review:
Date of Current Enlistment: 20010213     Age at Enlistment:
Period of E nlistment : Years Extension
Date of Discharge: 20040930      Highest Rank/Rate: OS2
Length of Service : Y ear ( s ) M onth ( s ) 18 D a y ( s )
Education Level:        AFQT: 67
Evaluation M arks:         Performance: 3.0 ( 2 )      Behavior: 3.0 ( 2 )        OTA: 2.93

Awards and Decorations ( per DD 214):

Periods of UA /C ONF :

NJP :

S CM :

SPCM:

C C :

Retention Warning Counseling:

NDRB Documentary Review Conducted (date):        20081204
NDRB Documentary Review Docket Number:   ND08-01632
NDRB Documentary Review Findings:                 Change is warranted.

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 /To Representat ion :          From /To Congress m ember :

Oth er Documentation :
`
Applicant Testified:
Applicant Available for Questions:
Witnesses:
Observers: Dr Noel Howard, Capt Karen Vig ner on

Pertinent Regulation/Law

A. Naval Military Personnel Manual, (NAVPERS 15560C), re-issued October 2002, effective 22 August 2002 until 19 June 2005, 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 .

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

Applicant’s Issues

1. Decisional issue . The Applicant woul d like his narrative reason for separation changed to Secretarial Authority to help with employment opportunities .
2. Decision al issue. The Applicant is enrolled in an avionics training program and asks for post - service conduct consideration.

Decision

Date: 20 100113 Location: Washington D.C . R epresentation :

By a vote of the Narrative Reason shall .

Discussion

The NDRB, under its responsibility to examine the propriety and equity of an Applicant’s discharge, is authorized to change the character of service and the reason for discharge if such change is warranted. In reviewing discharges, the Board presumes regularity in the conduct of g overnment al affairs unless there is substantial credible evidence to rebut the presumption, to include evidence submitted by the Applicant. A r eview of the Applicant’ s service record reveal ed neither retention warnings n or misconduct. The NDRB did not have the Applicant’s administrative separation package to determine whether or not the Applicant waived right s to consult with qualified counsel, submit a written statement, and r equest an a dministrative b oard.

: (Decisional) ( ) . The Applicant was originally granted a General (Under Honorable Conditions) discharge due to Personality Disorder by his command, which was later upgraded to Honorable in December 2008 after a record review by the NDRB. The Applicant believes the narrative summary for his discharge , Personality Disorder, is not accurate and asks that it be changed to something of a more general nature or Secretarial Authority. The Applicant states this is negatively impacting his employment opportunities so he would like it changed. A r eview of his service and medical records reveal ed the Applicant was recommended for an administrative discharge on three separate occasions by competent mental health professionals. Due to his manifested personality disorder , h is unit processed him for separation accordingly. The Applicant failed to provide any evidence or documentation to support his claim the narrative summary was not accurate and that he did not have a personality disorder at the time of his discharge. In the absence of this documentation the Board determined by a vote of 3-2, relief was not warranted. However, since the NDRB does not have the authority to change a narrative reason for separation to one indicating a medical disability or o ther medical related reason, the Applicant is invited to petition the B oard for Correction of Naval Records (B CNR ) for this relief since the BCNR can grant this type of narrative reason change.

Issue 2: (Equity) RELIEF NOT WARRANTED . Normally, t he NDRB considers post-service conduct in order to determine if the misconduct committed during active duty was indicative of the Applicant's character or an aberration. However, as the Applicant is not seeking an upgrade of his discharge (he has an Honorable discharge), but instead seeking a change to his discharge narrative of Personality Disorder, post service conduct cannot be appropriately considered. The NDRB did note and appreciated the Applicant’s college transcripts , aviation training and letter of reference that he provided for the NDRB’s consideration.

Summary: After a thorough review of the available evidence, to include the Applicant’s s ummary of s ervice, r ecord e ntries, and d ischarge p rocess, the Board found Therefore, the awarded characterization of service shall and the narrative reason for separation shall remain .

ADDENDUM: Information for the Applicant

Complaint Procedures : If you believe 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 : After a document review has been conducted, former members are eligible for a personal appearance hearing, provided the application is received at the NDRB within 15 years of the Applicant’s 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. There are veterans organizations such as the American Legion and the Association of Service Disable Veterans that are willing to provide guidance to former service members in their efforts to obtain a discharge upgrade. 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 U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) determines eligibility for post-service benefits, not the NDRB. 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 NDRB has no authority to upgrade a discharge for the sole purpose of enhancing employment or educational opportunities. Regulations limit the NDRB’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 BCNR can make changes to reenlistment codes. Additionally, the NDRB 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 is processed subsequently for an administrative involuntary separation or is referred to a court martial for misconduct, the disability evaluation is suspended 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 BCNR can grant this type of narrative reason change.

Automatic Upgrades - There is no law or regulation that provides for an unfavorable discharge to be upgraded based solely on the passage of time or good conduct subsequent to leaving naval service.

Post-Service Conduct : The NDRB is authorized to consider post-service factors in the recharacterization of a discharge. Outstanding post-service conduct, 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, is considered during Board reviews. Documentation to support a post-service conduct upgrade includes, but is not limited to: a verifiable continuous employment record; marriage and children’s birth certificates (if applicable); character witness statements; documentation of community or church service; certification of non-involvement with civil authorities; evidence of financial stability or letters of good standing from banks, credit card companies, or other financial institutions; attendance at or completion of higher education (official transcripts); and documentation of a drug-free lifestyle. The Applicant is advised that completion of these items alone does not guarantee the upgrade of an unfavorable discharge, as each discharge is reviewed by the Board on a case-by-case basis to determine if post-service accomplishments help demonstrate in-service misconduct was an aberration and not indicative of the member’s overall character.

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 NDRB 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 | 2009_Navy | ND0900674

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