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

   

 ex-SR, USN
Docket No. ND99-01018

Applicant’s Request

The application for discharge review, received 990727, 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 designate a representative on the DD Form 293.

Decision

A documentary discharge review was conducted in Washington, D.C. on 000411.  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 3620280.

PART I - APPLICANT’S ISSUES AND DOCUMENTATION

Issues

1.  In November 1994, while in boot camp at Great Lakes, Illinois, I hurt my ankle which led to my discharge on February 2, 1995.  At that time, I was told that I would received a medical discharge because of my condition.  Eventually, my discharge was listed as "Uncharacterized".  

2,  Since June 1995, I have attended Nicholls State University in Thibodaux, Louisiana.  This past April, officials in the school's financial aid department have brought to my attention that because of my uncharacterized discharge; I will lose my Pell Grant.  Without this grant, I will not be able to further my education.

3.  When I joined the United States Navy, I was planning to remain in that branch as my career.  Unfortunately, I was not able to pursue that career path.  As a female, education is a real necessity in the real world, because unlike in the military, sex plays a vital role in the workplace.

4.  In conclusion, I am not making this request as a form of begging the government of the United States for money or any other type of assistance, but only to receive the "Honorable" classification so I will be able to once again receive my Pell Grant.

Documentation

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

Copy of DD Form 214

PART II - SUMMARY OF SERVICE

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

	Active:    None
	Inactive:  USNR (DEP)	941129 - 941129	COG

Period of Service Under Review:

Date of Enlistment:  941130		Date of Discharge:  950202

Length of Service (years, months, days):

	Active:    00  02  03
	Inactive:  None

Age at Entry:  18			Years Contracted:  4 

Education Level:  18			AFQT:  31

Highest Rate:  SR

Final Enlisted Performance Evaluation Averages (number of marks):

Performance:  NMF		Behavior:  NMF		OTA:  NMF

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/FAILED MEDICAL/PHYSICAL PROCUREMENT STANDARDS, authority:  NAVMILPERSMAN, Article 3620280.

Chronological Listing of Significant Service Events:

941013:	RTC Branch Clinic, NAVHOSP GLakes, IL:  Pt complains of injury to ankle while marching.  Pt states she twisted ankle outward.  No fracture noted.
	Plan:  Crutches with education on use, ace wrap, motrin, light limited duty for 1 day.  Follow-up muscle-skeletal in AM.

950123:	RTC Branch Clinic, GLakes, IL:  Diagnosis - Ankle instability, EPTE.
	This Seaman Recruit has a history of repeated ankle sprains, resulting in an unstable ankle.  She has failed physical therapy at boot camp and should seek surgical evaluation upon discharge.

950125:	Applicant notified of intended recommendation for discharge under Entry Level Separation by reason of erroneous enlistment as evidenced by Right Ankle Instability.

950125:	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.

950130:	RTC GLakes, IL directed the applicant's discharge under Entry Leval Separation by reason of defective enlistment and induction into naval service due to erroneous enlistment as evidenced by right ankle instability.

PART III – RATIONALE FOR DECISION AND PERTINENT REGULATION/LAW

Discussion

The applicant was discharged on 950202 with an uncharacterized (entry level separation) by reason of erroneous enlistment due to failure of medical/physical procurement standards (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).

It is the Board’s regret that the applicant’s service did not warrant an Honorable discharge based primarily on the amount of time the applicant served ( approximately two months).  The applicant was in an entry level status and the Uncharacterized discharge was appropriate.  Relief is denied.  

Concerning the applicant’s Pell grant, it is not the Board’s place to upgrade a discharge so that the applicant can attend college.
Pertinent Regulation/Law (at time of discharge)

A.  Naval Military Personnel Manual, (NAVPERS 15560C, Change 9, effective 22 Jul 94 until 02 Oct 96, Article 3620280, SEPARATION OF ENLISTED PERSONEL BY REASON OF DEFECTIVE ENLISTMENT 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