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

 ex-AR, USN
Docket No. ND99-00963

Applicant’s Request

The application for discharge review, received 990709, requested that the characterization of service on the discharge be changed to honorable.  The applicant requested a documentary record discharge review.  The applicant designated the Disabled American Veterans Organization as her representative on the DD Form 293.

Decision

A documentary discharge review was conducted in Washington, D.C. on 000427.  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/ FAILED MEDICAL/PHYSICAL PROCUREMENT STANDARDS, authority: NAVMILPERSMAN, Article 1910-130 (formerly 3620280).

The NDRB did note an administrative error on the original DD Form 214.  Block 25, Separation Authority, should read:  “MILPERSMAN 1910-130” vice “MILPERSMAN 3620280”.  The original DD Form 214 should be corrected or reissued as appropriate. 

PART I - APPLICANT’S ISSUES AND DOCUMENTATION

Issues

1.  I should have gotten a medical discharge because I was not medically qualified to continue service.

2.  I tried to serve and wanted to continue service.

3.  I have been a good citizen since discharge.

4.  I was injured during Boot Camp, after serving 4 months of active duty.

Submitted by DAV:
5.  Petition for Relief (PFR) as follows; the FSM enter active service on 3-10-98, after being presumed fit in accordance with SECNAVINST 1001(h)..

Documentation

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

DAV's comments/recommendation ltr of Apr 19, 2000
Copy of USN DD Form 214 (98Mar10 - 98AUG25) (2 copies)
Copy of USA DD Form 214 (950411 - 950606)
Medical Service Record Entries (4 pages)
Separation Authority ltr (CO, RTC GLakes) dtd Aug 20 1998
Applicant's Notification Procedure Letter dtd 19 Aug 98

PART II - SUMMARY OF SERVICE

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

	Active:   USA			950411 - 950606	UNCHARACTERIZED
								(Failed Procurement Stds)
	Inactive: USNR (DEP)	980227 - 980309	COG

Period of Service Under Review:

Date of Enlistment:  980310		Date of Discharge:  980825

Length of Service (years, months, days):

	Active:    00  05  16
	Inactive:  None

Age at Entry:  22			Years Contracted:  4 

Education Level:  12			AFQT:  47

Highest Rate:  AR

Final Enlisted Performance Evaluation Averages (number of marks):

Performance:  NMF		Behavior:  NMF		OTA:  NMF

Military Decorations:  None

Unit/Campaign/Service Awards:  None 

Days of Unauthorized Absence:  None 

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

UNCHARACTERIZED/FAILED MEDICAL/PHYSICAL PROCUREMENT STANDARDS, authority:  NAVMILPERSMAN, Article 1910-130 (formerly 3620280).

Chronological Listing of Significant Service Events:

980124:	Entrance Physical Exam:  Applicant stated failed PT test (pulled hamstring) in US Army and discharged with Uncharacterized service on 950606.  

980705:	NAVHOSP, BrMedClinic GLakes, IL:  Pt was evaluated for Osgood's Disease with plain Xray's.  She doesn't have that disease.  Her exams have not revealed any significant rationale that after the rest she has received would preclude her from returning to full duty.  Her case was reviewed with RTC Legal who, concurs with her return to training.  Knee pain, fit for full duty, follow up, as necessary.

980713:	NAVHOSP GLakes, IL:  23 year old female complains of bilateral alterior knee pain while running.  Female with lower extremities myalgia. Pt appears to be over exaggerating myalgia/knee pain. 
	Assessment:  Lower extremities myalgia, mild bilateral patella tender.
	Plan:  1 - Napropen 500mg, 2 - quals/hamstring stretching, exercises given, 3 - Pt fit for full duty, 4 - follow-up, return as necessary.

980724:	Branch Medical Clinic, RTC, GLakes, IL:  Perostitis/Stress Fracture Follow-up:  On Napropen.  Bone scan on 17 July.  Muscle strain.  Return full duty.  Return to clinic as necessary.  Admin sep pending.

980806:	Branch Medical Clinic, RTC, GLakes, IL:  Perostitis/Stress Fracture Follow-up:  Constant pain in knees & muscles.  Placed on light duty for 7 days.  P.T. - upper body and fastrack.  Return to clinic as necessary.

980817:	Branch Medical Clinic, RTC, GLakes, IL:  ELMS for EPTE condition.
Diagnosis:  Patella Femoral Syndrome (knee pain).  Condition is not correctable to meet Navy standards.  Xray and bone scan performed.  Pt did not have waiver to come into service with condition.  Pt was not hospitalized, pt instructed to follow-up with known civilian provider and given instructed as to her diagnosis and suggested treatment.

980819:	Applicant notified of intended recommendation for discharge with the least favorable characterization of service as general (under honorable conditions by reason of defective enlistment and induction due to erroneous enlistment as evidenced by knee pain.

980819:	Applicant advised of her 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.

980820:	CO, RTC, GLAKES, IL directed the applicant's discharge with an Entry Level Separation (uncharacterized) by reason of defective enlistment and induction due to erroneous enlistment as evidenced by knee pain.

PART III – RATIONALE FOR DECISION AND PERTINENT REGULATION/LAW

Discussion

The applicant was discharged on 980825 with an uncharacterized (entry level separation) for defective enlistment and induction due to erroneous enlistment as evidenced by knee pain (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).

Responding to the applicant’s first, fourth, and fifth issue, given the applicant’s short time of service, an entry-level separation was an appropriate characterization.  Concerning the applicant’s contention that she deserved a medical board, the applicant submitted no evidence that the medical personnel made a mistake concerning her diagnosis or their subsequent recommendations.  Relief is not warranted.

The Board appreciates the applicant’s statements concerning her desire to serve and her post-service conduct, however these issues are not germane to the applicant’s discharge characterization.  Relief denied.

Pertinent Regulation/Law (at time of discharge)

A.  The Naval Military Personnel Manual, (NAVPERS 15560C), Change 18, effective 12 Dec 97 until PRESENT, Article 1910-130 (formerly 3620280), Separation by Reason of Defective Enlistments and Inductions - Erroneous Enlistment.

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