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NAVY | DRB | 2014_Navy | ND1400582
Original file (ND1400582.rtf) Auto-classification: Denied

ex-SR, USN
Current Discharge and Applicant’s Request
Application Received: 20140211
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)        20000428 - 20000521     Active:  

Period of Service Under Review:
Date of Current Enlistment: 20000522     Age at Enlistment:
Period of E nlistment : Years Extension
Date of Discharge: 20020906      Highest Rank/Rate: SA
Length of Service: Y ear( s ) M onth( s ) 15 D a y ( s )
 Education Level:        AFQT: 43
Evaluation M arks:         Performance: 2.7 ( 3 )      Behavior: 2.0 ( 3 )        OTA: 2.56

Awards and Decorations ( per DD 214):     

Periods of UA /C ONF : UA: 20020716, 1 day / CONF:

NJP :

- 20011019 :      Article (Absence without leave , 3 specifications )
         Specification 1: 20010924-20010926, 2 days
         Specification 2: 20010928-20011001, 3 days
         Specification 3: 20011006-20011009, 3 days
         Article (Drunken or reckless operation of vehicle, aircraft, or vessel)
         Awarded: Suspended:

S CM :    SPCM:

C C :

- 20020701 :       Offense: Driving a motor vehicle whil e under the influence of alcohol
         Sentence : Fine $1300, right to drive is restricted for 90 days, probation. Sentence is suspended for 5 years .

- 20020806 :       Offense: Driving a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol
         Sentence : Multiple Conviction Program, fine $1625, f ine of $1600 to be paid by participating in Public Work Service for 48 days, right to drive to and from work and court ordered activities. Probation, s entence is suspended for 5 years .







Retention Warning Counseling :

- 20000720 :       For failure to adequately ensure proper documenting of your pre-service civil convictions/involvement. November 1995 in Hinesville, GA you were arrested and detained over night for driving under the influence. You paid a $750.00 fine and placed on 12 months probation. The information concerning the above incidents w as provided by your voluntary statement of 20000623. According to the police record check , there was no adverse findings in conjunction with the DUI. Be advised that if the information provided is determined to be false, this P age 13 may be considered void.

- 20011031 :       For unauthorized absence from 20010924 until 20010926; 20010928 until 20011001; 20011006 until 20011009 and drunken operation of a vehicle on 20011019 .

- 20020524 :       Details N ot Found in Record . Date extracted from Commanding Officer’s letter 20020827.

Administrative Corrections to the Applicant’s DD 214

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

          “ ”
         “ MISCONDUCT ”
         “ 01SEP24 TO 01SEP26; 01SEP28 TO 01SEP30; 01OCT06 TO 01OCT08; 02JUL16 ”

The NDRB will recommend to the Commander, Navy Personnel Command, PERS-312A, 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 :        

Pertinent Regulation/Law

 A. Naval Military Personnel Manual, (NAVPERS 15560C), re-issued October 2002, effective 22 August 2002 until 25 April 2005, 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 .

C. The Manual for Courts-Martial authorizes the award of a punitive discharge if adjudged as part of the sentence upon conviction by a special or general court-martial for violation of the UCMJ, Article 111 .



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

Applicant’s Issues

 1.        The Applicant wants to be eligible for Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits.
2.       The Applicant contends he was suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and alcohol addiction, he expressed that his discharge would only complicate his recovery, and he was not allowed to finish his alcohol rehabilitation treatment or receive therapy for his PTSD.
Decision

Date : 20 1 4 0529             Location: Washington D.C .        R epresentation :

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

Discussion

 As a result of the Applicant ’ s claim of PTSD, in accordance with U.S. Code, Title X, Section 1553(d)(1), the Naval Discharge Review Board reviewed the Applicant ’ s record to see if he deployed in support of a contingency operation and was, as a consequence of that deployment, diagnosed with either PTSD or T raumatic Brain Injury. A review of his record revealed that his PTSD was from pre-service events and not as the result of a deployment in support of a contingency operation, and so his case did not warrant an expedited review in accordance with U.S. Code, Title X, Section 1553(d)(1).
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. T he Board did complete a thorough review of the circumstances that led to discharge and the discharge process to ensure discharge met the pertinent standards of equity and propriety. The Applicant’s record of service included NAVPERS 1070/613 (Page 13) warnings, for o f the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ): Article 86 ( Absence without leave , 3 specifications) and Article 111 (Drunken or reckless operation of vehicle, aircraft, or vessel) , and civilian convictions for driving under the influence of alcohol (DUI). The Applicant also had a positive urinalysis test for cocaine and pre-service waivers for using marijuana and a c ivilian conviction for DUI. 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, submit a written statement, and request an administrative board .

: (Nondecisional) The Applicant wants to be eligible for VA benefits. There is no requirement, or law, that grants re-characterization solely on the issue of facilitating access to VA benefits. Additionally, the NDRB has no authority to upgrade a discharge for the sole purpose of enhancing educational opportunities or employment opportunities. Regulations limit the NDRB’s review solely to a determination of the propriety and the equity of a discharge. As such, this issue does not serve to provide a foundation upon which the NDRB can grant relief.
: (Decisional) ( ) . The Applicant contends he was suffering from PTSD and alcohol addiction, he expressed that his discharge would only complicate his recovery, and he was not allowed to finish his alcohol rehabilitation treatment or receive therapy for his PTSD. The Applicant was diagnosed with PTSD and alcohol dependenc e while in service in the Navy. The Applicant’s PTSD , however, was not the result of combat or Naval service but from childhood events. While in service, the Applicant received mental health treatment for his PTSD and was treated for alcohol dependenc e, but he failed that treatment by continuing to abuse alcohol and drugs during treatment. As the Applicant’s record of t hree in-service DUIs, drug abuse, and frequent absences without leave indicate, he was not suitable for continued military service. The NDRB determined his childhood PTSD did not mitigate his in-service misconduct, and the Applicant’s discharge was proper and equitable . 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.


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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