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

ex-FA, USN
Docket No. ND99-01176

Applicant’s Request

The application for discharge review, received 990908, 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 000720.  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 HONORABLE CONDITIONS (GENERAL)/Alcohol Abuse - rehabilitation failure, authority: MILPERSMAN, Article 3630550.

PART I - APPLICANT’S ISSUES AND DOCUMENTATION

Issues

Prior to the documentary discharge review, the applicant introduced no issues as block 8 on the DD Form 293 is blank. 

Documentation

Only the service and medical records were reviewed, since the applicant did not provide additional documentation to be considered.

PART II - SUMMARY OF SERVICE

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

	Active:   None
	Inactive: USNR (DEP)	881109 - 890116	COG

Period of Service Under Review:

Date of Enlistment:  890117		Date of Discharge:  900830

Length of Service (years, months, days):

	Active:    01  07  14
	Inactive:  None

Age at Entry:  21			Years Contracted:  4

Education Level:  12			AFQT:  41

Highest Rate:  FN

Final Enlisted Performance Evaluation Averages (number of marks):

Performance:  3.4 (2)	Behavior:  2.8 (2)		OTA:  3.3

Military Decorations:  None

Unit/Campaign/Service Awards:  Battle "E" Ribbon

Days of Unauthorized Absence:  None 

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

UNDER HONORABLE CONDITIONS(GENERAL)/Alcohol abuse - rehabilitation failure, authority:  MILPERSMAN, Article 3630550.

Chronological Listing of Significant Service Events:

890816:	Medical Screening (CAAC, Charleston, SC):  Pt psychological dependence only on alcohol.  No medical conditions, no physical dependence.  Pt counseled the time regarding antabuse therapy.

900202:	NJP for violation of UCMJ, Article 86:  Unauthorized absence.
	Award:  Restriction and extra duty for 5 days, reduction to E-X.  No indication of appeal in the record.

900409:	Retention Warning:  Advised of deficiency (identified as Alcohol Abuser/Alcohol dependent), notified of corrective actions and assistance available (including completion of Level III treatment program commencing 9 April 1990), advised of consequences of further deficiencies, and issued discharge warning. 

900413:	Admitted to Naval Hospital, Charleston, SC, for inpatient Alcohol Rehabilitation.  Pt identified his alcoholism and life areas affected.  At the completion of 42 days treatment period, the staff felt that the pt was fit for return to full duty.  Pt required to participate in an outpatient aftercare program for one year following inpatient LEVEL III treatment.  Discharged from hospital on 25 May 1990.

[ADMIN DISCHARGE PACKAGE NOT IN SERVICE RECORD AND UNABLE TO OBTAIN FROM APPLICANT.]

900830:	Applicant discharged with a General (Under Honorable Conditions) by reason of alcohol abuse rehabilitation failure.

PART III – RATIONALE FOR DECISION AND PERTINENT REGULATION/LAW

Discussion

The applicant was discharged on 900830 under honorable conditions (general) due to alcohol abuse - rehabilitation failure (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 introduced no decisional issues for consideration by the Board.

Pertinent Regulation/Law (at time of discharge)

A.  The Naval Military Personnel Manual, (NAVPERS 15560C, effective 15 Jun 87 - 15 Aug 91), Article 3630550, SEPARATION OF ENLISTED PERSONNEL BY REASON OF ALCOHOL ABUSE REHABILITATION FAILURE.

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 view DoD Directive 1332.28 and other Decisional Documents by going online at "afls14.jag.af.mil".  

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
		720 Kennon Street SE Room 309
		Washington Navy Yard D.C.  20374-5023