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NAVY | DRB | 2012_Navy | ND1200513
Original file (ND1200513.rtf) Auto-classification: Denied

ex-BMC, USN
Current Discharge and Applicant’s Request
Application Received: 20120106
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)        19951030 - 19960522     Active:   19960523 - 20001205 HON
                                    USN 20001206 - 20040730 HON
                                    USN 20040731 - 20081009 HON
Period of Service Under Review:
Date of Current Enlistment: 20081010     Age at Enlistment:
Period of E nlistment : Years Extension
Date of Discharge: 20110310      Highest Rank/Rate: BMC
Length of Service : Y ear s M onth s 01 D a y
Education Level:        AFQT: 34
Evaluation M arks:         Performance: 4.2 ( 5 )      Behavior: 3.6 ( 5 )        OTA: 3.86

Awards and Decorations ( per DD 214):      (4) (2) (2)

Periods of C ONF :

NJP:
- 20100410 :      Article (Failure to obey order or regulation)
         Article (Wrongful use, possession, etc. of controlled substances , D-Amphetamine 635 ng/ml, NAVDRUGLAB msg 061327Z Apr 10 )
         Awarded: Suspended:

Administrative Corrections to the Applicant’s DD 214

The NDRB did n ote an administrative error on the original DD Form 214:

          “ CONTINUOUS HONORABLE ACTIVE SERVICE FROM 960523 UNTIL 081009 ”
        
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.        The Applicant requests that his re-entry code be upgraded to RE-1.
2.       The Applicant contends his administrative board disregarded the evidence and testimony before them.
3.       The Applicant contends the incorrect Separatio n Authority was used .

Decision

Date : 20 1 2 1101             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 for o f the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ): Article (Failure to obey order or regulation) and Article (Wrongful use, possession, etc. of controlled substances , D-Amphetamine 635 ng/ml, NAVDRUGLAB msg 061327Z Apr 10 ) . The Applicant a pre-service drug waiver for illicit drug use prior to entering the Navy. Based on the Article 112a violation, processing for administ rative separation is mandatory. When notified of administrative separation processing using the procedure, the Applicant rights to consult with a qualified coun sel, submit a written statement , and request an administrative board. The administrative board voted 3-0 that the Applicant committed misconduct due to drug abuse, voted 2-1 to recommend the Applicant be separated, and voted 3-0 to recommend a n Under Honorable Conditions ( General ) discharge. The Applicant’s commanding officer did not agree with the administrative board’s recommendation to discharge the Applicant , however, the Separation Authority (Navy Personnel Command) agreed with the recommendation to separate and ordered the Applicant to be discharged.

: (Nondecisional) The Applicant requests that his re-entry code be upgraded to RE-1. 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.
: (Decisional) ( ) . The Applicant contends his administrative board disregarded the evidence and testimony before them. In particular, the Applicant contends the guidance provided by Naval Military Personnel Manual ( MILPERSMAN ) Article 1910-212 was disregarded by the administrative board by not considering the seriousness of the offense, the likelihood of a recurrence, the Applicant’s potential for further service, and the Applicant’s military record. This issue was highlighted by the Applicant’s Letter of Deficiency dtd 29 July 2010 that was reviewed by the S eparation Authority prior to the decision to discharge the Applicant Under Honorable Conditions (General). After a complete review of the Applicant’s separation proceedings, to include the administrative separation board, the NDRB discerned no impropriety or inequity in the board’s decision and determined an upgrade and change to the narrative reason for separation is not warranted. Relief denied.

: (Decisional) ( ) . The Applicant contends the incorrec t Separation Authority was used . The Applicant contends that MILPERSMAN 1910-704 states the lowest Separation Authority should be used. The Applicant contends the Separation Authority should have been Commanding Officer, Afloat Training Group, Mayport , who recommended to retain the Applicant. Based on the Article 112a violation, processing for administrative separation is mandatory. MILPERSMAN 1910-704 states that Commander, Navy Personnel Command is the Separation Authority when a member is processed for a mandatory reason and a recommendation for retention or suspended separation is made. Further, t he

Applicant was separated under MILPERSMAN 1910-146 , which states “w hen an administrative separation (ADSEP) board is held, refer to MILPERSMAN 1910-710 for guidance in determining SA . ” MILPERSMAN 1910-710 directs that if an administrative board finds a preponderance of the evidence supports on e or more of the reasons for separation and recommends separation, then the Separation Authority may approve the administrative board’s findings or modify the administrative board’s recommendation by disapproving the board’s recommendation and forwarding the case to Commander, Navy Personnel Command to retain the member. The NDRB determined there was no impropriety , and the Applicant was properly separated. 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 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. The Naval Military Personnel Manual, (NAVPERS 15560C), Change 29, effective 10 November 2009 until Present, Article 1910-146, SEPARATION BY REASON OF MISCONDUCT - DRUG ABUSE.
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 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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