Upgrade.Vet

NAVY | DRB | 2011_Navy | ND1100928

Original file (ND1100928.rtf) Auto-classification: Denied

ex-QMSN, USNR

Current Discharge and Applicant’s Request

Application Received: 20110225

Characterization of Service Received:

Narrative Reason for Discharge:
Authority for Discharge: MILPERSMAN

Applicant’s Request:      Characterization change to:
         Narrative Reason change to:       COMPLETION OF REQUIRED ACTIVE SERVICE

Summary of Service
Prior Service:
Inactive:         NONE              Active:

Period of Service Under Review:
Date of Current Enlistment: 19940801     Age at Enlistment:
Period of E nlistment : Years Extension
Date of Discharge: 19980522      Highest Rank/Rate: QM3
Length of Service:
         Inactive:        Y ear( s ) M onth( s ) 11 D a y ( s )
         Active   Y ear( s ) M onth( s ) 22 D a y ( s )
Education Level:                 AFQT: 50
Evaluation M arks:         Performance: 2.5 ( 2 )      Behavior: 1.0 ( 2 )        OTA: 2.5

Awards and Decorations ( per DD 214):      NDSM SWASM AFEM SSDR (3) NAVY “ E ”

Periods of /C ONF :

NJP : 2
- 19970627 :      Article 86 (Absence without leave, UA, 19970517 - 19970518, 1 day)
         Awarded: RESTR Suspended:

- 19980 5 18 :      Article 128 (Assault)
         Awarded : RIR FOP Susp ended: RIR FOP

SCM: NONE SPCM: NONE CC: NONE Retention Warning Counseling : NFIR

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:          Rehabilitation/Treatment:                  Criminal Records:
         Personal Documentation :          Community Service:                References:
         Department of VA letter:                  Oth er Documentation:
                  Additional Statements :
         From Applicant:          From /To Representation:          From /To Congress m ember :

Pertinent Regulation/Law
A. Naval Military Personnel Manual, (NAVPERS 15560C), Change 18, effective 12 December 1997 until 14 December 1998, Article 1910-140, SEPARATION BY REASON OF MISCONDUCT - PATTERN OF MISCONDUCT.

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 seeks an upgrade to qualify for educational and employment benefits.
2 .        The Applicant seeks a change in his RE code to re-enlist in the Armed Forces.
3 .       The Applicant seeks a change to his rank to QM3.
4 .       The Applicant seeks a change to his medals awarded to include the Good Conduct Medal.
5 .       The Applicant seeks a change in his N arrative R eason for S eparation to Completion of Required Active Service (CRAS).
6 .       The Applicant contends his discharge was based on an act of self - defense.

Decision

Date : 20 1 2 0517             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 two nonjudicial punishments (NJPs) for violations of the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ): Article 86 (Absence without leave, UA, 19970517 - 19970518, 1 day) and Ar ticle 128 (Assault) . Based on the offenses committed by the Applicant, his command administratively processed for separation. When notified of administrative separation processing using the notification procedure, the Applicant his rights to consult with a qualified counsel and submit a written statement. The Applicant was not entitled to an administrative board.

: (Nondecisional) The Applicant seeks an upgrade to qualify for educational and employment 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. 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.

: (Nondecisional) The Applicant seeks a change in his RE code to re-enlist in the Armed Forces. 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 B oard for Correction of Naval Records 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.

: (Nondecisional) The Applicant seeks a change to his rank to QM3. The NDRB is not authorized to restore rank as part of its review process. The Applicant may petition the Board for Correction of Naval Records, 701 South Courthouse Road, Suite 1001, Arlington, VA 22204-2490 for further review using DD Form 149. Their website can be found at http://www.donhq.navy.mil/bcnr/bcnr.htm.

: ( Nond ecisional) The Applicant seeks a change to his medals awarded to include the Good Conduct Medal. In order to qualify for the Good Conduct Medal, members must serve for three years without misconduct . The Applicant received an NJP one month prior to reaching the three year mark and is therefore ineligible to receive the Good Conduct Medal. The NDRB can only make administrative corrections to records when a clear error has occurred. Because the Applicant was never eligible for the Good Conduct Medal, the NDRB is not authorized to change his DD Form 214.

Issue 5 : (Decisional) ( ) . The Applicant seeks to change his N arr ative R eason for S eparation to C ompletion of R equired A ctive S ervice. The Applicant did not complete his enlistment. Therefore, the NDRB cannot change the narrative reason to reflect CRAS. After carefully examining the record, the NDRB determined the N arrative R eason for S eparation to be appropriate as assigned. The Applicant was properly and equitably discharged with a General (Under Honorable Conditions) for a Pattern of Misconduct. No change is warranted. Relief denied.

Issue 6 : (Decisional) ( ) . The Applicant contends his discharge was based on an act of self - defense. The record contained no evidence to support the Applicant’s contention. The Applicant submitted no documentation or evidence in support of this issue or to overcome the NDRB’s presumption of regularity in the conduct of governmental affairs. The Applicant’s NJP for Article 128 (Assault) was proper. The NDRB found no issues of impropriety or inequity in the Applicant’s administrative separation proceedings. An u pgrade would be inappropriate. Relief denied.

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 . 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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NAVY | DRB | 2011_Navy | ND1100928

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