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

 ex-SR, USNR
Docket No. ND99-00842

Applicant’s Request

The application for discharge review, received 990528, requested that the characterization of service on the discharge be changed to honorable and the reason for the discharge be changed to eligible for re-enlistment.  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 000331.  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:  UNCHARACTERIZED/ PERSONALITY DISORDER, authority:  NAVMILPERSMAN, Article 3620200.

PART I - APPLICANT’S ISSUES AND DOCUMENTATION

Issues (verbatim)

1.  After seven continuous weeks of active duty I was rushed to Naval Hospital Great Lakes for a serious head injury that resulted in loss of consciousness for a period of time.  Subsequently, I experienced "nerve pinching" headaches and tenderness on the left side of my head.  I taken some Tylenol as prescribed and fell asleep awaken surrounded with accusations of an attempt to commit suicide.  I was taken back to Naval Hospital Great Lakes and later released from active duty.

Also, I will like the review to upgrade this release to a "medical discharge".

Documentation

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

Statement from applicant dated January 18, 2000
Statement from applicant dated 31 May 1999
Copy of scholarship dated April 27, 1994
Copy of medical records

PART II - SUMMARY OF SERVICE

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

	Active:   None
	Inactive: USNR (DEP)	940707 - 940908	COG

Period of Service Under Review:

Date of Enlistment:  940909		Date of Discharge:  941117

Length of Service (years, months, days):

	Active:    00  02  09
	Inactive:  None

Age at Entry:  18			Years Contracted:  8

Education Level:  12			AFQT:  40

Highest Rate:  SR

Final Enlisted Performance Evaluation Averages (number of marks):

Performance:  NMA		Behavior:  NMA		OTA:  NMA

Military Decorations:  None

Unit/Campaign/Service Awards:  NDSM 

Days of Unauthorized Absence:  None

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

UNCHARACTERIZED/PERSONALITY DISORDER, authority:  NAVMILPERSMAN, Article 3620200.

Chronological Listing of Significant Service Events:

941105:	Medical officer statement:   Applicant diagnosed with adjustment disorder with depressed mood, status post polydrug ingestion.  The psychiatrist recommended separation based on a personality disorder of such severity as to render the applicant incapable of serving adequately in the naval service.  Applicant was considered self-destructive and a continuing risk of harm to self or others.

941110:	Applicant notified of intended recommendation for entry level separation or the least favorable characterization of discharge general (under honorable conditions) by reason of convenience of the government on the basis of a diagnosed adjustment disorder of such severity as to render the applicant incapable of serving adequately in the naval service as evidenced by adjustment disorder.

941110:  	Applicant advised of his rights and having elected not to consult with counsel certified under UCMJ Article 27B, elected to waive all rights.  Applicant did not object to separation.

941114:	Commanding officer Recruit Training Command directed uncharacterized by reason of convenience of the government on the basis of a diagnosed adjustment disorder of such severity as to render the applicant incapable of serving adequately in the naval service.  Commanding officer’s comments (verbatim): Based on the comments of the Department of Mental Health Staff contained in enclosure (3), I feel any further attempts to train subject named would be counter productive.  Member was referred to the Department of Mental Health by Command Referral.  I hereby authorize separation from the naval service with a Entry Level Separation. 

PART III – RATIONALE FOR DECISION AND PERTINENT REGULATION/LAW

Discussion

The applicant was discharged on 941117 uncharacterized for convenience of the government on the basis of a diagnosed personality disorder of such severity as to render the applicant incapable of serving adequately in the naval service. (A and B).  The Board presumed regularity in the conduct of governmental affairs (C).  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 (D and E).

In the applicant’s issue 1, the Board found that the characterization should remain as Uncharacterized since the applicant was only in the service for 2 months and 9 days.  No other characterization would be appropriate since the applicant served less than 180 days and had no written evaluations from which to base the characterization.  In addition, the Board will not change the reason from Personality disorder to “eligible for reenlistment”.  The applicant was diagnosed by qualified medical officers as possessing a long-standing disorder of character and behavior which was of such severity as to interfere with serving adequately in the Navy.  He was considered a continuing risk to do harm to himself or others.  The applicant's DD Form 214, Block 28, Narrative Reason for Separation, indicates he was separated for a Personality Disorder.  No other Narrative Reason for Separation could more clearly describe why the applicant was discharged.  To change the Narrative Reason Separation would be inappropriate.

Pertinent Regulation/Law (at time of discharge)

A.  Naval Military Personnel Manual, (NAVPERS 15560C), Change 9, effective 22 Jul 94 until 23 Jun 96, Article 3620200, SEPARATION OF ENLISTED PERSONNEL BY REASON OF CONVENIENCE OF THE GOVERNMENT. 

B.  Naval Military Personnel Manual, (NAVPERS 15560C), Change 9, effective 22 Jul 94 until 2 Oct 96, Article 3620225, SEPARATION OF ENLISTED PERSONNEL BY REASON OF CONVENIENCE OF THE GOVERNMENT ON THE BASIS OF PERSONALITY DISORDER.

C.  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.  

D.  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.

E.  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