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NAVY | DRB | 2011_Navy | ND1101955
Original file (ND1101955.rtf) Auto-classification: Denied

ex-SKSN, USN
Current Discharge and Applicant’s Request
Application Received: 20110816
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:         US N R (DEP)        20060309 - 20060625     Active:  

Period of Service Under Review:
Date of Current Enlistment: 20060626     Age at Enlistment:
Period of E nlistment : Years Extension
Date of Discharge: 20090218      Highest Rank/Rate: SKSN
Length of Service: Y ear( s ) M onth( s ) 24 D a y ( s )
 Education Level: NFIR    AFQT: 38
Evaluation M arks:         Performance: 3.5 ( 2 )      Behavior: 2.0 ( 2 )        OTA: 3.0

Awards and Decorations ( per DD 214):      Pistol

Periods of UA /C ONF :

NJP :

- 20080905 :      Article (Conspiracy to commit larceny of Government property)
         Awarded: (to E-2) Suspended: (suspend 6 months)

S CM :             SPCM:    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:

          “ PHYSICAL STANDARDS ”

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:           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 :        


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

Applicant’s Issues

 1.        Applicant seeks a change to narrative reason to obtain veteran education benefits.
2.       Applicant seeks a change to narrative reason t o increase employment opportunities.
3.       Applicant contends extreme personal stress and depression were caused by the chain of command aboard USS Port Royal.

Decision

Date: 20 1 2 09 14             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 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. T he Board completed a thorough review of the available documentation to determine whether discharge met the pertinent standards of equity and propriety. The Applicant’s record of service did not include any NAVPERS 1070/613 (Page 13) retention warnings or trial by courts-martial. The record did reflect for o f the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ): Article 134 ( General Article, conspiracy to commit larceny of Government property). The Applicant’s final evaluation report (dated 16 July 2008 - 18 February 2009), located within the service records, contained s statement indicating the Applicant was administratively separated from the Navy due to failing three consecutive physical fitness assessments (PFAs). Three PFA failures within a four year period requires mandatory processing for administrative separation per the Naval Military Personnel Manual. Since the NDRB did not have the Applicant’s administrative separation package documentation available for review, it could not determine whether the Applicant exercised or waived his rights to consult with a qualified counsel, submit a written statement, and request a General Court-Martial Convening Authority review . The Applicant was separated from the Navy on 18 February 2009 with an Honorable discharge due to Physical Standards.

Issues 1-2 : (Nondecisional) The Applicant seeks a change to the narrative reason to obtain veteran education benefits and to increase employment opportunities. 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 Applicant’s narrative reason for separation has nothing to do with not getting his full GI Bill benefits. It is most likely due to the fact that he did not complete 3 years of service and so was not eligible for 100% of the GI Bill. Additionally, the NDRB has no authority to upgrade a discharge for the sole purpose of enhancing employment or educational opportunities as regulations limit the NDRB’s review to a determination of the propriety and equity of the discharge.

 : (Decisional) ( ) . The Applicant contends extreme personal stress and depression were caused by the chain of command aboard USS Port Royal. T he NDRB c onducted a detailed review of the Applicant’s records to determine whether his discharge met the pertinent standards for propriety and equity. After detailed analysis and careful consideration of the available documentation, the NDRB could find no evidence to support the Applicant’s contention of command impropriety. Additionally, the Board could found no evidence to indicate he attempted to utilize the numerous services available for service members who undergo personal problems during their enlistment s, such as the Navy Chaplain, Medical or Mental Health professionals, Navy Relief Society, Family Advocacy Programs, or even the Red Cross. The NDRB recognizes that serving in the U.S. Navy is challenging. However, the command climate on the USS Port Royal did not cause the Applicant’s weight gain and unhappiness. On the contrary, it appears that his command was very lenient in recommending he receive an Honorable discharge. With an NJP during the enlistment, a Sailor would typically have received a General (Under Honorable Conditions) discharge. The NDRB, however, is not authorized to downgrade characterizations of service. Accordingly, and with no evidence submitted by the Applicant to rebut or otherwise question the presumption of regularity in this case, the Board determined the Applicant’s issue to be without merit . Physical Standards is the most accurate description of why he was discharged from the Navy. Relief denied.

Summary: After a thorough review of the available evidence, to include the Applicant’s s ummary of s ervice and r ecord e ntries, 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 for additional information.

Pertinent Regulation/Law

 A. Naval Military Personnel Manual, (NAVPERS 15560C), Change 23, effective 21 May 2008 until 11 February 2010, MILPERSMAN Article 1910-170, SEPARATION BY REASON OF PHYSICAL FITNESS ASSESSMENT FAILURE .

 B. NAVADMIN 180/05, 271525Z JUL 05, PHYSICAL READINESS PROGRAM.

C . 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 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), 701 South Courthouse Road, Suite 1001, Arlington, VA 22204-2490 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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