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NAVY | DRB | 2009_Navy | ND0901150
Original file (ND0901150.rtf) Auto-classification: Denied

ex-PRAN, USN
Current Discharge and Applicant’s Request
Application Received: 20090330
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:         NONE               Active:  

Period of Service Under Review:
Date of Current Enlistment: 20041130     Age at Enlistment:
Period of E nlistment : Years Extension
Date of Discharge: 20071003      Highest Rank/Rate: PRAN
Length of Service:
         Inactive:        Y ear( s ) M onth( s ) 13 D a y ( s )
         Active   Y ear( s ) M onth( s ) 21 D a y ( s )
 Education Level:        AFQT: 43
Evaluation M arks:         Performance: 3. 0 ( 3 )      Behavior: 2.0 ( 2 )        OTA: 2.83

Awards and Decorations ( per DD 214):     

Perio ds of UA /C ONF :

NJP :
- 20060323 :       Art icle 92 (Failure to obey order or regulation - underage drinking)
         Awarded : Susp ended :

- 20070705 :       Article 92 (Failure to obey order or regulation - underage drinking)
         Article 134 (Disorderly conduct, drunkenness)
         Awarded : Susp ended:

S CM :    SPCM:

ARREST:
- 20070610 :       Charge: Operating a water craft under the influence of alcohol and speeding. Court date pending.
C C :      Retention Warning Counseling :


Administrative Corrections to the Applicant’s DD 214

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

          “ GENERAL (UNDER HONORABLE CONDITIONS) ”

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

Oth er Documentation :   

Pertinent Regulation/Law

 A. Navy Military Personnel Manual, (NAVPERS 15560C), Change 11, 29 April 2005 until Present, Article 1910-152, SEPARATION BY REASON OF ALCOHOL ABUSE REHABILITATION FAILURE.

 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.        Realized his mistake and that alcohol is not the way.
2.       Seeking p ost-service conduct consideration .

Decision

Date : 20 100107             Location: Washington D.C .        R epresentation :

By a vote of the Characterization shall .
 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 discharg e 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. The Applicant’s record of service included non-judicial punishments ( ) for o f the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ): Article 92 ( Failure to obey order or regulation – 2 specifications) and Article 134 ( Disorderly conduct and drunkenness). Additionally, the record reflects the Applicant was arrested for operating a water craft under the influence of alcohol and speeding. The c ommanding o fficer’s (Electronic Attack Squadron) letter of 9 August 2007, reflects that a waiver for administrative separation processing due to alcohol rehabilitation failure was requested based on the Applicant’s outstanding technical performance and the commanding officer’s belief that the Applicant would be a critical asset to the shop during their upcoming combat deployment. Per the general administrative message of 12 September 2007, the Applicant was to be retained and issued a page 13 counseling notifying him of the decision to retain him despite his failure to successfully complete alcohol rehabilitation due to his alcohol dependency/abuse and that subsequent failure to complete additional treatment… or another alcohol incident would result in him being administratively processed for separation. Based on the Applicant’s DD Form 214 he was subsequently discharged for alcohol rehabilitation failure and given a separation code of “ JPD” indicating that he was not entitled to an administrative board . The NDRB did not have access to the Applicant’s administrative separation package to determine whether or not the Applicant waived right s to consult with qualified counsel and submit a written statement . Due to the unavailability of the administrative separation package and lack of documentary evidence of non-compliance with treatment after the Applicant receiv ed the page 13 counseling, a presumption of regularity of governmental affairs was applied.

: (Decisional) ( ) . In seeking an upgrade to Honorable the Applicant admits that he made a mistake and that “alcohol is not the way. ” When the quality of a member’s service has met the standards of accepted conduct and performance of duty for military personnel, it is appropriate to characterize that service under “Honorable” conditions.
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. Taking into consideration the Applicant’s overall record of service, the seriousness of the offenses committed and lack of mitigating circumstances, the Board determined that an upgrade was not warranted.

: (Decisional) ( ) . The Applicant also contend that he has not had a problem with alcohol in a year and six months and that he has work ed daily to support his family. The Applicant failed to provide any documentary evidence on his behalf for post-service consideration —despite being invited to do so in NDRB correspondence . 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 documentat ion of a drug-free lifestyle. E ach discharge is reviewed by the Board on a case-by-case basis to determine if po st-service accomplishments demonstrate in-service misconduct was an aberration and not indicative of the member’s overall character.

T he Board determined the Applicant’s statement regarding post-service conduct without documentation to support the same, was not sufficient to form a basis of relief. On page 4, Item 8, i n the instructions for completion of DD Form 293, the Applicant is notified to submit evidence “which substantiate s or relate s directly to your issues in Item 6” (Issues: Why an upgrade or change is requested and justification for the request). Additionally, upon receipt of the Applicant’s DD Form 293 , the NDRB mails an acceptance letter that includes the Information Concerning Review Procedures , which discusses the submission of additional documents in paragraph 3, Submission of Evidence, and in the last section on page 4, Information Pertaining to a Review Based Upon Post-Service Conduct . However, even if the Applicant could have produced additional evidence to support a review based on his post-service conduct, the Applicant should be aware that post-service conduct alone does not guarantee an upgrade.

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 .

The Applicant remains eligible for a personal appearance hearing for a period of fifteen years from the date of discharge. The Applicant is directed to the Addendum, specifically the paragraphs titled Additi onal Reviews an, Automatic Upgrade.



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.

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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