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

 ex-DC3, USN
Docket No. ND99-00603

Applicant’s Request

The application for discharge review, received 990329, 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 000207.  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:  UNDER OTHER THAN HONORABLE CONDITIONS/MISCONDUCT, authority:  NAVMILPERSMAN, Article 1910 - 142 (formerly 3630605).

PART I - APPLICANT’S ISSUES AND DOCUMENTATION

Issues (verbatim)

1.  I am requesting a reversal of “Other Than Honorable Conditions to an “Honorable Discharge.”

Documentation

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

Copy of DD Form 214.
       Letter of Appreciation July 15, 1995.
       Letter of Commendation dated August 1995 to November 1995.
       Letter of Commendation dated 17 February 1994 to 17 August 1994.
       Evaluation for the report period 95AUG15 to 96JUN15.
       Letter from applicant, undated.

PART II - SUMMARY OF SERVICE

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

	Active:   USN 		None
	Inactive: USNR (DEP)	931108 - 931123	COG

Period of Service Under Review:

Date of Enlistment:  931124		Date of Discharge:  980107

Length of Service (years, months, days):

	Active:    04  01  14
	Inactive:  None

Age at Entry:  19			Years Contracted:  4

Education Level:  12			AFQT:  32

Highest Rate:  DC3

Final Enlisted Performance Evaluation Averages (number of marks):

Performance:  4.00 (1)	Behavior:  4.00 (1)		OTA:  4.00 (5.0 Evals)

Military Decorations:  None

Unit/Campaign/Service Awards:  MUC(2), GCM, NDSM, AFEM, SWASM(W/BRONZE STAR), SSDR

Days of Unauthorized Absence:  14 

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

UNDER OTHER THAN HONORABLE CONDITIONS/MISCONDUCT, authority:  NAVMILPERSMAN, Article 1910-142 (formerly 3630605).

Chronological Listing of Significant Service Events:

(Discharge package missing from applicant’s service record)

950313:	NJP for violation of UCMJ, Article 134:  Wrongfully consuming alcoholic beverages while under age of 21.
	Award:  Forfeiture of $100 per month for 1 month, restriction and extra duty for 10 days.  No indication of appeal in the record.

960410:	UA from USS CARL VINSON (CVN 70) 0715, 10MAY96 until 0715, 12MAY96 (2 days).  Surrendered onboard.

971101:	Applicant apprehended by civil authorities on charges of misconduct due to drug abuse.

971101:	UA from CARL VINSON from 1800, 01NOV97 until 0600, 18DEC97 (46 days).  Surrendered onboard.

971215:	Civilian conviction by the Superior Court of the state of California in and for the County of Colusa, for violation of California Health and Safety code, section 11377, possession of a controlled substance.
	Awarded:  36 months probation, $540.00 fine and 46 days in jail.

9712??:  	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.

971222:	Commanding officer recommended discharge under Other Than Honorable conditions by reason of Misconduct due to the Commission of a Serious Offense, misconduct due to Civilian Conviction, and misconduct due to drug abuse as evidenced by his conviction in the Superior court of the state of California on 15 December, 1997 for possession of a controlled substance on violation of California Health and Safety code, section 11377.

980107:	Applicant discharged from Naval service this date for misconduct due to Commission of a Serious Offense.

PART III – RATIONALE FOR DECISION AND PERTINENT REGULATION/LAW

Discussion

The applicant was discharged on 980107 under Other Than Honorable conditions for misconduct due to Commission of a Serious Offense (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).

In the applicant’s issue 1, the Board determined this issue is without merit.  The applicant states he wants his educational benefits.  The NDRB is under no obligation to upgrade an individual’s discharge for the purpose of receiving educational benefits.  Additionally, there is no law or regulation that provides for the upgrade of an unfavorable discharge based solely on the passage of time or good conduct, subsequent to leaving military service.  The NDRB reviews the propriety (did the Navy follow its own rules in processing the applicant for discharge) and equity (did the applicant receive a discharge characterization in keeping with Navy guidance or was the characterization typical of other service members being separated for the same reason) of each applicant’s discharge to determine if proper procedures were followed.  This applicant’s discharge was proper and equitable.  Additionally, the NDRB is authorized to award clemency for post-service factors (what has the applicant done since discharge to become a contributing member of his/her community and to society in general).  Those factors include but are not limited to the following:  Evidence of continuing educational pursuits (transcripts, diploma, degree or vocational-technical certificates), a verifiable employment history (letter of recommendation from employer), documentation of community service (letter from activity/community group), certificate of non-involvement with civil authorities (police records check) and proof of not using drugs (detoxification certificate).  The applicant did not provided any documentation of good character or conduct, which would warrant an upgrade to his discharge.  The applicant is encouraged to establish a reputation of good character and document his accomplishments.  Documentation to support any claim of good character is a must to receive any consideration based on post-service achievements.  He remains eligible for a personal appearance hearing, to discuss his post-service accomplishments, provided an application is received by the NDRB within fifteen years from the date of his discharge.  Legal representation at the hearing is advisable.  Relief denied.

Pertinent Regulation/Law (at time of discharge)

A.  Naval Military Personnel Manual, (NAVPERS 15560C), Change 18, effective 
12 Dec 97 until Present, Article 1910-142  [formerly 3630605]. SEPARATION BY REASON OF MISCONDUCT- COMMISSION OF A SERIOUS OFFENSE.

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 Street SE Rm 309
		Washington, D.C.  20374-5023