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

 ex-MMFN, USNR
Docket No. ND99-00458

Applicant’s Request

The application for discharge review, received 990212, requested that the characterization of service on the discharge be changed to honorable.  The applicant requested a documentary record discharge review.  The applicant did not list any representative on the DD Form 293.

Decision

A documentary discharge review was conducted in Washington, D.C. on 991213.  After a thorough review of the records, supporting documents, facts, and circumstances unique to this case, NDRB discerned no impropriety or inequity in the characterization of the applicant’s service.  The Board’s vote was unanimous that the character of the discharge shall not change.  The discharge shall remain: GENERAL (UNDER HONORABLE CONDITIONS)/PATTERN OF MISCONDUCT, authority: NAVMILPERSMAN, Article 3630600.

PART I - APPLICANT’S ISSUES AND DOCUMENTATION

Issues

1.  The reason I was asleep on watch was, Prior to going on that watch I had just gotten of a six hour watch with only 2 hours sleep.  I reported it to my supervisor, but he made me stand the watch.  Thank you for your consideration.

Documentation

In addition to the service record, the following additional documentation, submitted by the applicant, was considered:

Copy of DD Form 214 (2 copies)

PART II - SUMMARY OF SERVICE

Prior Service (component, dates of service, type of discharge):

	Active:   None
	Inactive: USNR (DEP)	940107 - 940828	COG

Period of Service Under Review:

Date of Enlistment:  940829		Date of Discharge:  970827

Length of Service (years, months, days):

	Active:    02  11  29
	Inactive:  None

Age at Entry:  17			Years Contracted:  8

Education Level:  11			AFQT:  35

Highest Rate:  MM3

Final Enlisted Performance Evaluation Averages (number of marks):

Performance:  2.80 (5)	Behavior:  2.80 (5)		OTA:  2.80

Military Decorations:  None

Unit/Campaign/Service Awards:  NDSM, NATO, MUC

Days of Unauthorized Absence:  None

Character, Narrative Reason, and Authority of Discharge (at time of issuance):

GENERAL (UNDER HONORABLE CONDITIONS)/PATTERN OF MISCONDUCT, authority:  NAVMILPERSMAN, Article 3630600.

Chronological Listing of Significant Service Events:

961024:	NJP for violation of UCMJ, Article 92: Willfully derelict in the performance of duties by sleeping in the #1 main machinery room while standing the shaft alley patrol watch.
	Award:  Forfeiture of $250 per month for 2 months, restriction and extra duty for 7 days, reduction to E-2.  Reduction suspended for 6 months.  No indication of appeal in the record.

961024:	Retention Warning: Advised of deficiency (Commanding Officer's Nonjudicial punishment of 24 October 1996 for willfully derelict in the performance on your duties by sleeping in the #1 main machinery room while standing the shaft alley patrol watch.), notified of corrective actions and assistance available, advised of consequences of further deficiencies, and issued discharge warning. 

970804:	NJP for violation of UCMJ, Article 92: Willfully derelict in the performance of duties by sleeping in #2C shaft alley while standing sea and anchor detail on 97Jul01.
	Award:  Forfeiture of $553 per month for 1 month, restriction and extra duty for 14 days, reduction to E-3.  No indication of appeal in the record.

970804:	Applicant notified of intended recommendation for discharge under other than honorable conditions by reason of misconduct due to a pattern of misconduct as evidenced by all punishments under the UCMJ in your current enlistment and misconduct due to commission of a serious offense as evidenced by CO's NJP 24Oct96 for violation of the UCMJ, Article 92 (willful dereliction in the performance of your duties by sleeping in the #1 main machinery room while standing the staff alley patrol watch) and 4Aug97 for violation of the UCMJ, Article 92 (willful dereliction in the performance of your duties by sleeping in #2C shaft alley while standing sea and anchor detail).

970809:  	Applicant advised of his rights and having elected not to consult with counsel certified under UCMJ Article 27B, elected to waive all rights except the right to obtain copies of the documents used to support the basis for the separation 

970818:	Commanding officer directed discharge general (under honorable conditions) by reason of misconduct due to a pattern of misconduct.  Comments of the CO : ”MMFN ___ conduct is incompatible with naval service.  I have determined that the applicant has no potential for future service and should be separated with a General (Under Honorable Conditions) discharge by reasons of misconduct due to a pattern of misconduct and misconduct due to commission of a serious offense.”  Applicant discharged on  Aug 27, 1997.

PART III – RATIONALE FOR DECISION AND PERTINENT REGULATION/LAW

Discussion

The applicant was discharged on 970827 general (under honorable conditions) for misconduct due to a pattern of misconduct (A).  The Board presumed regularity in the conduct of governmental affairs (B).  After a thorough review of the records, supporting documents, facts, and circumstances unique to this case, the Board found that the discharge was proper and equitable (C and D).

The applicant beliefs that his discharge was for one violation of following asleep on watch.  The applicant is in error.  The Board found that the applicant had 2 NJP’s for violation of Article 92, UCMJ, sleeping on duty, not one.  The applicant received a retention warning after the first NJP, but violated the same article a second time.  The discharge is based on the applicant’s conduct during his entire enlistment.  Both of these offenses were considered at the time the discharge was issued.  Relief denied. 

 The following is provided for the applicant’s edification.  The NDRB is authorized to consider post-service factors in the recharacterization of a discharge (E).  The applicant must be aware that there is no law or regulation which provides that an unfavorable discharge may be upgraded based solely on the passage of time, or good conduct in the civilian life subsequent to leaving the service.  Normally, to permit relief, an error or injustice must have been found to have existed during the period of enlistment in question.  Outstanding post-service conduct, to the extent that such matters provide a basis for a more thorough understanding of the applicant’s performance and conduct during the period of service under review, may be considered by the NDRB.  The applicant is reminded that he is eligible for a personal appearance hearing provided the application is received within 15 years from the date of discharge.  Representation at personal appearance hearing is highly recommended.

Pertinent Regulation/Law (at time of discharge)

A.  Naval Military Personnel Manual, (NAVPERS 15560C, Change 14, effective 03 Oct 96 until 11 Dec 97), Article 3630600, SEPARATION OF ENLISTED PERSONNEL BY REASON OF MISCONDUCT – A PATTERN OF MISCONDUCT. 

B.  Secretary of the Navy Instruction 5420.174C of 22 August 1984 (Manual for Discharge Review, 1984), enclosure (1), Chapter 2, AUTHORITY/POLICY FOR DEPARTMENTAL DISCHARGE REVIEW.  

C.  Secretary of the Navy Instruction 5420.174C of 22 August 1984 (Manual for Discharge Review, 1984), enclosure (1), Chapter 9, paragraph 9.2, PROPRIETY OF THE DISCHARGE.

D.  Secretary of the Navy Instruction 5420.174C of 22 August 1984 (Manual for Discharge Review, 1984), enclosure (1), Chapter 9, paragraph 9.3, EQUITY OF THE DISCHARGE.

PART IV - INFORMATION FOR THE APPLICANT

If you believe that 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 Directive 1332.28, you may submit a complaint in accordance with Enclosure (5) of that Directive.  You should read Enclosure (5) of the Directive 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 obtain a copy of DoD Directive 1332.28 by writing to:

		DA Military Review Boards Agency
		Management Information and Support Directorate
		Armed Forces Reading Room
		Washington, D.C.  20310-1809

The names, and votes of the members of the Board are recorded on the original of this document and may be obtained from the service records by writing to:

		Naval Council of Personnel Boards
		Attn:  Naval Discharge Review Board
		Washington Navy Yard
		720 Kennon St SE Rm 309
		Washington, D.C.  20374-5023