ex-SR, USN

                  Current Discharge and Applicant’s Request

Application Received: 20090409
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:   USNR (DEP) 19971010 - 19971027   Active:

Period of Service Under Review:
Date of Enlistment:  19971028     Age at Enlistment:
Period of Current Enlistment:   Years   Extension
Date of Discharge:  19981229 Highest Rank/Rate:  SR
Length of Service:   Year(s)     Month(s)   02 Day(s)
Education Level:       AFQT:  62
Evaluation Marks:      Performance:  NFIR    Behavior:  NFIR  OTA:  NFIR
Awards and Decorations (per DD 214):

Periods of UA/CONF:

NJP:
    - 19980723:  Article 134 (General (no details) - 2 specifications)
            Awarded:      Suspend: NONE

SCM:           SPCM:           CC:

Retention Warning Counseling:

            Administrative Corrections to the Applicant’s DD 214

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

        “HKQ”

The NDRB will recommend to the Commander, 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 Representation:
      From Congress member:
                    Other Documentation:

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

                             Applicant’s Issues

1.  Applicant seeks employment opportunities.
2.  Applicant claims he was emotionally unstable at time of discharge.
3.  Applicant cites youth and immaturity as contributors to discharge.

                                  Decision

Date:  20090618                     Location:  Washington D.C.
 Representation:

By a vote of  the Characterization shall  .
By a vote of  the Narrative Reason shall  MISCONDUCT.

                                 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 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 one non-judicial punishment (NJP)
for violation of the Uniform Code of Military Justice Article 134 (general
article/unknown details -2 specifications).  The NDRB advises the Applicant
that certain serious offenses warrant separation from the service in order
to maintain proper order and discipline.  Based on the offenses committed
by the Applicant, his command opted to administratively process him for
separation.

: (Non-decisional) The NDRB has no authority to upgrade a discharge for the
sole purpose of enhancing employment or educational opportunities.  The
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) 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.  Regulations limit the
NDRB’s review to a determination of the propriety and equity of the
discharge.

:  (Decisional) ()  .  The Applicant contends his disciplinary problem was
the result of his emotionally instability due to a recent miscarriage by
his fiancé.  The Applicant provides no documented information that he
informed his chain of command of his personal problems and was not afforded
the assistance, leave, or help requested.  Additionally, the Applicant
makes no mention of, nor provides documented proof that he attempted to use
any one of the numerous family support programs available for military
service members, such as Family Advocacy, Navy–Marine Corps Relief Society,
the Red Cross, the Chaplain’s Office, or Navy medical health personnel.
Relief denied.

Issue 3: (Decisional) ()  .  The Applicant contends that his problems in
the Navy can be attributed to mistakes he made while young and immature.
While he may feel his youth was the underlying cause of his misconduct, the
record of evidence does not demonstrate the Applicant was not responsible
for his misconduct or should not be held accountable for his actions.  The
NDRB recognizes that serving in the U.S. Navy is challenging.  Our country
is fortunate to have men and women willing to endure the hardships and
sacrifices required in order to serve their country.  It is appropriate to
note that most members of the Navy serve honorably and therefore earn their
honorable discharges.  In fairness to those members, commanders and
separation authorities are tasked to ensure that Sailors receive no higher
or lower characterization than is due.  The NDRB found that the Applicant's
service was equitably characterized.  Relief denied.

The Applicant failed to provide any documentary evidence on his behalf for
post-service consideration.  By a unanimous vote of 5-0, the Board
determined the characterization of service received, Under Other Than
Honorable Conditions, and the narrative reason for the discharge,
Misconduct, shall remain as issued.


The Applicant remains eligible for a personal appearance hearing for a
period of fifteen years from the date of his discharge.  The Applicant is
directed to the Addendum, specifically the paragraphs titled
Employment/Educational Opportunities and Post-Service Conduct.

                          Pertinent Regulation/Law

A.  Naval Military Personnel Manual, (NAVPERS 15560C), Change 18, effective
12 December 1997 until 29 March 2000,
Article 1910-142, Separation By Reason Of Misconduct - Commission of a
Serious Offense.

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.


                  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 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.  There are veteran's organizations, such as the American
Legion and the Association of Service Disable Veterans, 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 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.

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 Board for Correction of Naval Records (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 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.

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
certificate (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 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
previous 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