ex-MN2, USN

Current Discharge and Applicant’s Request


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

Summary of Service

Prior Service:
Inactive:        USNR (DEP)       19931104 - 19940208     Active:  19940209 – 19971106 HON

Pre-Service Drug Waiver:

Period of Service Under Review:
Date of Current Enlistment: 19971107    Age at Enlistment:
Period of Enlistment: Years Extension
Date of Discharge: 20010301     Highest Rank/Rate: MN2
Length of Service: Year(s) Month(s) 23 Day(s)
Education Level:        AFQT: 71
Evaluation Marks:        Performance: 3.5 (2)     Behavior: 3.5 (2)       OTA: 3.36

Awards and Decorations (per DD 214):     Rifle Pistol (2) (2) (2)

Periods of UA/CONF:

NJP:

SCM:

SPCM:

CC:

Retention Warning Counseling:


Administrative Corrections to the Applicant’s DD 214

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

         “CONTINUOUS HONORABLE ACTIVE SERVICE FROM 940209 UNTIL 971106”

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

Pertinent Regulation/Law

A. The Naval Military Personnel Manual, (NAVPERS 15560C), Change 31, effective 12 February 2001 until
15 July 2001, 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 .

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

Applicant’s Issues

1.       The Applicant contends he did not use drugs to warrant a discharge from the Navy.
2.       The Applicant contends his post-service conduct warrants consideration for an upgrade of his discharge to General.

Decision

Date: 20150205            Location: Washington D.C.        Representation:

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 governmental 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 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 a positive urinalysis result for use of cocaine. Drug abuse is a of the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ): Article (Wrongful use, possession, etc., of a controlled substance; cocaine). The Applicant a pre-service drug waiver prior to entering the Navy. Based on the Applicant’s positive urinalysis test for cocaine, his command processed him for administrative separation. When notified of administrative separation processing using the procedure, the Applicant rights to consult with a qualified counsel, submit a written statement, and request an administrative board. On 22 January 2001, an Administrative Separation Board convened and determined that a preponderance of evidenced proved the Applicant’s use of cocaine, and voted 3-0 that the Applicant be discharged from the Navy with an Under Other Than Honorable Conditions discharge.

: (Decisional) () . The Applicant contends he did not use drugs to warrant a discharge from the Navy. The Applicant tested positive for cocaine on a unit random urinalysis test on 17 November 2000. The Applicant was charged with violation of Article 112a, and referred to non-judicial punishment (NJP); however, he refused NJP. The Applicant’s command determined not to refer charges to a special court-martial, but processed the Applicant for administrative separation from the Navy instead. During the Administrative Board hearing, the Applicant produced no evidence to support his plea of innocence, or to refute the positive urinalysis evidence. Therefore, the Board determined there was no impropriety in the discharge of the Applicant with an Under Other Than Honorable Conditions discharge. In applying to the NDRB for an upgrade of his discharge, the Applicant did not provide any additional evidence, other than his statement of innocence regarding his contention that he did not use cocaine while in the Navy. The NDRB determined that the Applicant’s positive urinalysis test for cocaine was sufficient evidence to demonstrate his misconduct, and determined his discharge was proper and equitable as issued. Relief denied.

: (Decisional) () . The Applicant contends his post-service conduct warrants consideration for an upgrade of his discharge to General. The NDRB considers 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. The Applicant provided a personal statement, evidence of financial stability and continuous employment, evidence of self-improvement through college transcripts and specialized training certificates, evidence of civilian service in Afghanistan training the Afghanistan Border Police, evidence of significant volunteer contributions in his community, evidence of clean criminal record, credit scores, and nine character references. The Board determined that the documentation submitted by the Applicant, and his record of service in the Navy for over seven years with only one documented incident of misconduct, demonstrates that his positive drug urinalysis test for cocaine was an aberration in his otherwise good character. Therefore, the NDRB determined by a majority vote to upgrade the Applicant’s characterization of service to General. However, the Applicant’s narrative reason for discharge shall remain for reason of misconduct. Partial relief granted.


Summary: After a thorough review of the available evidence, to include the Applicant’s summary of service, record entries and discharge process, the Board found However, after careful review of the Applicant’s service record, and supporting documents submitted by the Applicant, the NDRB determined the awarded characterization of service shall change to GENERAL (UNDER HONORABLE CONDITIONS) and the narrative reason for separation shall remain MISCONDUCT.

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