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NAVY | DRB | 2014_Navy | ND1401072

Original file (ND1401072.rtf) Auto-classification: Denied

ex-DTSR, USN

Current Discharge and Applicant’s Request

Application Received: 20140506

Characterization of Service Received:

Narrative Reason for Discharge: SECRETARIAL AUTHORITY

Authority for Discharge: MILPERSMAN 1910-126 [SEPARATION BY REASON OF BEST INTEREST OF THE SERVICE]

Applicant’s Request:      Characterization change to:
         Narrative Reason change to:

Summary of Service

Prior Service:
Inactive:         US N R (DEP)        19910528 - 19920105     Active:

Period of Service Under Review:
Date of Current Enlistment: 19920106     Age at Enlistment:
Period of E nlistment : Years 48 MONTHS Extension
Date of Discharge: 20020214      Highest Rank/Rate: DT3
Length of Service: Y ear( s ) M onth( s ) 9 D a y ( s )
Education Level:        AFQT: 47
Evaluation M arks:         Performance: 3.0 ( 2 )      Behavior: 4.0 ( 2 )        OTA: 3.29

Awards and Decorations ( per DD 214):      (3)

Periods of UA /CONF : (per DD 214): 19990220 - 2002 0214 , 1085 days ( per DD-215 )

NJP :

- 19940922 :      Article ( Absence without leave )
         Awarded: Suspended: [Vacated on 19941020]

- 19941021 :      Article ( Absence without leave , 19941011-1994101 1 , per DD-215 )
         Awarded: Suspended:

S CM:     SPCM:    CC:      Retention Warning Counseling :

G CM:

- 19980320 :       Art icle ( Assault )
         Art icle ( General A rticle , 2 specifications )
         Specification 1: Communicating a threat
         Specification 2: Unlawfully carry a concealed weapon
         Sentence : 1 year ( per DD 214: 19980320-19990105, 286 days ) BCD
         CA approv ed and ordered executed on 19990430 .

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:                  Other Documentation:
                  Additional Statements:
         From Applicant:          From/To Representation:          From/To Congress member:

Pertinent Regulation/Law

A. Naval Military Personnel Manual, (NAVPERS 15560D), Change 18, effective 12 Dec 19 97 until 21 Aug 2002, Article 1910-126 (formerly 3620205), Separation by Reason of Convenience of the Government .

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 she should have an Honorable discharge due to her illness in service and subsequent diagnosis and treatment for S chizoaffective D isorder, M ajor D epressive D isorder, P ost- T raumatic S tress D isorder (PTSD), and B orderline P ersonality D isorder.

Decision

Date: 20 1 4 0731 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 included a member who is a physician, clinical psychologist, or psychiatrist. 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 she deployed in support of a contingency operation and was, as a consequence of that deployment, diagnosed with PTSD. A review of her record revealed that she did not deploy in support of a contingency operation, and so her 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 discharge if such change is warranted. In reviewing discharges, the NDRB presumes regularity in the conduct of Government affairs unless there is substantial credible evidence to rebut the presumption, to include evidence submitted by the Applicant. The Board did complete a thorough review of t he circumstances that led to her discharge and the discharge process to ensure her discharge met the pertinent standards of equity and propriety. The Applicant’s record of service included for o f the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ): Article 86 (Absence without leave, 2 specifications) and General Court-Martial conviction for of the UCMJ: Article 128 (Assault, 1 specification) and Article 134 ( General A rticle , 2 specifications ). The Applicant’s service record documents a punitive conviction and punishment, as adjudged by a General Court-Martial, on 20 March 1998 . A qualified legal defense counsel represented the Applicant throughout the trial by General Court-Martial process. Given the facts of the case, the General Court-Martial awarded the Applicant a Bad Conduct Discharge, forfeiture of all pay and allowances , reduction to the pay grade of E-1, and confinement for a period of 1 year . The C onvening A uthority ap proved the sentence as adjudged . The case was submitted for review to the U.S. Navy-Marine Corps Court of Criminal Appeals. The finding of guilty to Specification 1 of Charge II was set aside and dismissed. T he findings were affirmed on 14 February 2002. The Bad Conduct Discharge was remitted by the Naval Clemency and Parole Board to a General Discharge on 11 August 1999.

: (Decisional) ( ) . The Applicant contends she should have an Honorable discharge due to her illness in service and subsequent diagnosis and treatment for S chizoaffective D isorder, M ajor D epressive D isorder, PTSD, and B orderline P ersonality D isorder. In reviewing discharges, the NDRB presumes regularity in the conduct of Government affairs unless there is substantial credible evidence to rebut the presumption, to include evidence submitted by the Applicant. The NDRB noted that there is no PTSD diagnosis in the records, and her various mental issues were considered as mitigating factors at her General Court-Martial. After a complete review of the records and documentation submitted by the Applicant, the NDRB determined PTSD and other mental health issues did not mitigate her misconduct. The NDRB found the evidence of record did not contain sufficient mitigating or extenuating factors to offset the seriousness of the offenses for which the discharge was awarded. 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 15 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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NAVY | DRB | 2014_Navy | ND1401072

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