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

ex-YNSR, USN 
Docket No. ND00-00038

Applicant’s Request

The application for discharge review, received 991012, 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 list any 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 OTHER THAN HONORABLE CONDITIONS/MISCONDUCT, authority: NAVMILPERSMAN, Article 3630600.

PART I - APPLICANT’S ISSUES AND DOCUMENTATION

Issues

1.  My discharge was inequitable because it based on one isolated incident in 32 months of service with no other adverse action.

2.  My discharge was related to alcohol abuse in which my commands failed to send me to some type of treatment.  The captain in my court martial would not give me a Bad Conduct Discharge because he felt my command had been responsible for part of my alcohol problem.  I was in an isolated base in Maine.

3.  I was offered an Admin Discharge, or to appear in front of an Admin Board.  I was never provided with any legal services.  The LT called me in his office and said I would just waive my right and take an Admin Discharge.  I did what he said.

4.  I'm a productive member of society now with two beautiful children and a great job. I haven't had a drink since 1995.  I went into the Navy as a kid with a bright future and came out as an alcoholic. I respectfully request my discharge be upgraded.

Documentation

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

None

PART II - SUMMARY OF SERVICE

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

	Active:   None
	Inactive: USNR (DEP)	911120 - 920901	COG

Period of Service Under Review:

Date of Enlistment:  920902		Date of Discharge:  940920

Length of Service (years, months, days):

	Active:    02  00  19
	Inactive:  None

Age at Entry:  19			Years Contracted:  4

Education Level:  12			AFQT:  51

Highest Rate:  YNSN

Final Enlisted Performance Evaluation Averages (number of marks):

Performance:  3.00 (2)	Behavior:  3.10 (2)		OTA:  3.20

Military Decorations:  None

Unit/Campaign/Service Awards:  None

Days of Unauthorized Absence:  25 

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

UNDER OTHER THAN HONORABLE CONDITIONS/MISCONDUCT, authority:  NAVMILPERSMAN, Article 3630600.

Chronological Listing of Significant Service Events:

930211:	NJP for violation of UCMJ, Article 134: Under age drinking on 31Jan93.
	Award:  Forfeiture of $150 per month for 2 months, restriction and extra duty for 15 days.  No indication of appeal in the record.

930607:	Drug and Alcohol Evaluation: Alcohol dependent.  Recommended separation via the VA.

930618:	Retention Warning: Advised of deficiency (Misconduct due to alcohol abuse and or drug abuse, as defined in accordance with OPNAVINST 5350.4.), notified of corrective actions and assistance available, advised of consequences of further deficiencies, and issued discharge warning. 
	
940406:	Special Court Martial
	Charge I: violation of the UCMJ, Article 86.
	Specification: Unauthorized absence 940305 – 940323, (18 days)
	Charge II: violation of the UCMJ, Article 113 (2 specs).
	Specifications: Sleeping and drunk on duty on 3Mar94.
	Charge III: violation of the UCMJ, Article 134.
	Specification:  Breaking restriction on 5Mar94.
	Findings:  to Charge I, II and III  and specifications thereunder, guilty.
	Sentence: Confinement for 4 months, forfeiture of $500 per month for 4 months, reduction to YNSR.
	CA 940525: Sentence approved and ordered executed, except for the portion of the sentence adjudging confinement in excess of forty-five days, is suspended for six months from the date the sentence was adjudged, at which time unless sooner vacated, it will be remitted without further action.

940511:	Applicant evaluated by Medical Officer.  Diagnosed as alcohol dependant and not amenable to treatment.

940613:	Applicant notified of intended recommendation for discharge under other than honorable conditions by reason of misconduct due to the commission of a serious offense.

940613:  	Applicant advised of his rights and having consulted 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 and to make a statement.

940628:	Commanding officer recommended discharge under other than honorable conditions by reason of misconduct due to the commission of a serious offense.

940825:	CNP forwarded recommendation for applicant's discharge under other than honorable conditions by reason of misconduct due to the commission of a serious offense to Assistant Secretary of the Navy (Manpower and Reserve Affairs).

940831:	Assistant Secretary of the Navy (Manpower and Reserve Affairs) approved discharge under other than honorable conditions by reason of misconduct due to the commission of a serious offense.

940907:	BUPERS directed the applicant's discharge under other than honorable conditions by reason of misconduct due to the commission of a serious offense.

PART III – RATIONALE FOR DECISION AND PERTINENT REGULATION/LAW

Discussion

The applicant was discharged on 940920 under other than honorable conditions for misconduct due to commission of a serious offense (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’s first issue states:  “My discharge was inequitable because it based on one isolated incident in 32 months of service with no other adverse action.”  The NDRB found this issue without merit.  The applicant had two documented disciplinary proceedings in his record, one NJP and one Special Court Martial.  The applicant was discharged following his conviction at Special Court Martial of Articles 86, 113 and 134.  The Article 113 and 134 are considered serious offenses, being punishable by punitive discharge at court martial.  Relief denied.

The applicant’s second issue states:  “My discharge was related to alcohol abuse in which my commands failed to send me to some type of treatment.  The captain in my court martial would not give me a Bad Conduct Discharge because he felt my command had been responsible for part of my alcohol problem.  I was in an isolated base in Maine.”  The applicant was screened for alcohol dependence and referred to VA for treatment.  There is no evidence to support the applicant’s statement reasoning the type of discharge awarded at court martial.  Relief denied.

The applicant’s third issue states:  “I was offered an Admin Discharge, or to appear in front of an Admin Board.  I was never provided with any legal services.  The LT called me in his office and said I would just waive my right and take an Admin Dishcharge.  I did what he said.”  This issue is immaterial as the applicant waived the Admin Board after discussing his case with counsel.  There is no evidence of coercion or misbehavior of the applicant’s counsel.  Relief is denied.

The applicant’s fourth issue states:  “I'm a productive member of society now with two beautiful children and a great job. I haven't had a drink since 1995.  I went into the Navy as a kid with a bright future and came out as an alcoholic. I respectfully request my discharge be upgraded.”  The applicant provided no documentation to support this issue such as evidence of his sobriety, employment and community service.  Relief is not warranted.

Pertinent Regulation/Law (at time of discharge)

A.  Naval Military Personnel Manual, (NAVPERS 15560C), Change 5, effective 
05 Mar 93 until 21 Jul 94, Article 3630600, SEPARATION OF ENLISTED PERSONNEL BY REASON OF MISCONDUCT – COMMISSION OF A SERIOUS OFFENSE.

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