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NAVY | DRB | 2009_Navy | ND0902405
Original file (ND0902405.rtf) Auto-classification: Denied

ex-AOAN, USN

Current Discharge and Applicant’s Request

Application Received: 20090825
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)       19970425 - 19970527     Active: 

Period of Service Under Review:
 Date of Current Enlistment: 19970528    Age at Enlistment:
Period of Enlistment: Years Extension
Date of Discharge: 20000215     Highest Rank/Rate: AOAN
Length of Service: Year(s) Month(s) 18 Day(s)
Education Level:        AFQT: 57
Evaluation Marks:        Performance: 2.5 (4)     Behavior: 2.0 (4)       OTA: 2.67

Awards and Decorations (per DD 214):     Pistol

Periods of UA/CONF:

NJP:

- 19990621:      Article (General order), 2 specifications
         Specification 1: Wrongful consumption of alcoholic beverages
         Specification 2: Drunk and disorderly
         Awarded: Suspended:

SCM: SPCM: CC: Retention Warning Counseling:

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 Representation:           From/To Congress member:        
Other Documentation:  

Pertinent Regulation/Law
A. Navy Military Personnel Manual, (NAVPERS 15560C), Change 25, effective 16 September 1999 until 26 March 2000,
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 .


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

Applicant’s Issues

1. The Applicant contends the stress of combat operations caused post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms, which precipitated his alcohol abuse.
2. The Applicant contends his alcohol rehabilitation failure was for being late to the treatment class, not for drinking.
3. The Applicant contends he was put in charge of his duty section following his treatment failure.

Decision

Date: 20101007            Location: Washington D.C.        Representation:

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 discharge if such change is warranted. In reviewing discharges, the Board presumes regularity in the conduct of governmental 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: for of the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ): Article 134 (General: wrongful consumption of alcoholic beverages, 1 specification), Article 134 (General: Drunk and disorderly, 1 specification). The Applicant did not have a pre-service drug waiver. Based on the offenses committed by the Applicant, command administratively processed for separation. When notified of administrative separation processing using the procedure, the Applicant waived rights to consult with a qualified counsel and submit a written statement. The Applicant was not entitled to an administrative board.

: (Decisional) () . The Applicant contends the stress of combat operations caused PTSD symptoms, which precipitated his alcohol abuse. No evidence of PTSD was found in the Applicant’s medical records. Additionally, the Applicant did not provide any documentation to substantiate his claim. The Applicant was an aviation ordnanceman on an aircraft carrier during Operation Desert Fox. While the NDRB does not deny these operations were stressful for the Applicant, the board found combat-related PTSD to be highly unlikely and entirely unsubstantiated by the record. Relief denied.

: (Decisional) () . The Applicant contends his alcohol rehabilitation failure was for being late to the treatment class, not for drinking. The record reflects the Applicant was in an unauthorized absence (UA) status from Level II treatment on 4 October of 1999 due to drinking the night prior. On 7 October 1999, the Applicant was UA from the same Level II treatment and was dropped from the class. The Applicant clearly met the criteria for alcohol rehabilitation treatment failure and was found to have no potential for further service. Relief denied.

: (Decisional) () . The Applicant contends he was put in charge of his duty section following his alcohol treatment failure. The Applicant’s performance and responsibilities following rehabilitation failure are irrelevant. His command chose to administratively separate him for rehabilitation failure. The Applicant’s separation was found to be proper and equitable. Relief denied.

Summary: After a thorough review of the available evidence, to include the Applicant’s summary of service, record entries, and discharge process, 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 Additional Reviews, Automatic Upgrades, and Post-Service Conduct .


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 Disabled American 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 their 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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