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

 ex-SN, USN
Docket No. ND99-01252

Applicant’s Request

The application for discharge review, received 990930, 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 000530.  After a thorough review of the records, supporting documents, facts, and circumstances unique to this case, NDRB discerned no impropriety but did discern inequity in the characterization of the applicant’s service.  The Board’s vote was three to two that the character of the discharge shall change.  The discharge shall change to:  HONORABLE/ PARENTHOOD, authority: NAVMILPERSMAN, Article 1910-124.

  

PART I - APPLICANT’S ISSUES AND DOCUMENTATION

Issues (verbatim)

1.  Before I got out of the navy, the personnel working on my discharge told me that I was getting a General Under Honorable discharge due to a technicality, but that the discharge would automatically upgrade after 6 months.  After my discharge I contacted Veterans Affairs who then told me I had to submit a request for an upgrade.  Would have made it a career had conditions not changed.  The Navy had always been my dream, and I served proudly from start to finish.  Therefore, I respectfully request an upgrade of my discharge to Honorable.  Thank You.

Documentation

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

Copy of DD Form 214 (4 copies)

PART II - SUMMARY OF SERVICE

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

	Active:    None
	Inactive:  USNR (DEP)	940815 - 950710	COG

Period of Service Under Review:

Date of Enlistment:  950711		Date of Discharge:  981016

Length of Service (years, months, days):

	Active:    03  03  06
	Inactive:  None

Age at Entry:  18			Years Contracted:  4 

Education Level:  12			AFQT:  49

Highest Rate:  SN

Final Enlisted Performance Evaluation Averages (number of marks):

Performance:  3.0 (1)	Behavior:  3.0 (1)		OTA:  3.0 (5.0 eval)

Military Decorations:  None

Unit/Campaign/Service Awards:  NDSM, SSDR, AFM (w/Bronze Star) 

Days of Unauthorized Absence:  None

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

GENERAL (UNDER HONORABLE CONDITIONS)/PARENTHOOD, authority:  NAVMILPERSMAN, Article 1910-124.

Chronological Listing of Significant Service Events:

960916:	NJP for violation of UCMJ, Article 134:  bringing discredit upon naval service.
	Award:  Forfeiture of $150 per month for 2 months, restriction and extra duty for 20 days.  No indication of appeal in the record.

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

PART III – RATIONALE FOR DECISION AND PERTINENT 
REGULATION/LAW

Discussion

The applicant was discharged on 981016 with a general (under honorable conditions) by reason of parenthood (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 but inequitable (C and D).

In response to issue 1, the Board, after reviewing the applicant’s incomplete service record, found that the discharge received by the applicant is not warranted.  The Board determined that the applicant’s performance evaluation averages warrant an upgrade to honorable.

Pertinent Regulation/Law (at time of discharge)

A.  The Naval Military Personnel Manual, (NAVPERS 15560C, Change 21, effective 01 Sep 1998 to Present, Article 1910-124 (previously 3620215), Separation by reason of Convenience of the Government - Parenthood.

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 Rm 309
		Washington Navy Yard DC  20374-5023