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

  ex-AMSAR, USN
Docket No. ND00-00121

Applicant’s Request

The application for discharge review, received 991102, 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 000817.  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: GENERAL (UNDER HONORABLE CONDITIONS)/PATTERN OF MISCONDUCT, authority: NAVMILPERSMAN, Article 1910-140 (formerly 3630600).

PART I - APPLICANT’S ISSUES AND DOCUMENTATION

Issues

1.  My discharge was unfair on the fact of my command did not want to let me out and tried to make my discharge lower than it was but the Admiral gave me general and promised me no reason why it would not turn into honorable based on my circumstances and my unfairness I was receiving.

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)	980516 - 980614	COG

Period of Service Under Review:

Date of Enlistment:  980615		Date of Discharge:  990127

Length of Service (years, months, days):

	Active:    00  07  12
	Inactive:  None

Age at Entry:  19			Years Contracted:  4

Education Level:  12			AFQT:  47

Highest Rate:  AMSAR

Final Enlisted Performance Evaluation Averages (number of marks):

Performance:  0.00 (0)	Behavior:  0.00 (0)		OTA:  0.00

Military Decorations:  None

Unit/Campaign/Service Awards:  None 

Days of Unauthorized Absence:  11 

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

GENERAL (UNDER HONORABLE CONDITIONS)/PATTERN OF MISCONDUCT, authority:  NAVMILPERSMAN, Article 1910-140 (formerly 3630600).

Chronological Listing of Significant Service Events:

981201:	Psychiatric evaluation.  Diagnostic Impression:  Axis I, No diagnosis.  Axis II, Personality disorder NOS with Cluster of personality traits.  Axis III, Increased eosinophilic count in CBC.  Recommendations:  Fit for full duty.  Recommend Entry Level Separation for the service member since he has not been in the military for more than 180 days.
990105:	NJP for violation of UCMJ, Article 86: Unauthorized absence 0700, 16Nov98 until 1621/1854, 27Nov98 (11 days/surrendered).
	Award:  Restriction and extra duty for 30 days.  No indication of appeal in the record.  [Extracted from CO's letter dated 22Jan99.]

990106:	Retention Warning: Advised of deficiency (Unauthorized absence.), notified of corrective actions and assistance available, advised of consequences of further deficiencies, and issued discharge warning. [Extracted from CO's letter dated 22Jan99.]

990120:	NJP for violation of UCMJ, Article 86: Unauthorized absence from 0645-0810, 11Jan99.
	Award:  Restriction and extra duty for 14days.  No indication of appeal in the record. [Extracted from CO's letter dated 22Jan99.]

990122:	Commanding officer recommended discharge under Other Than Honorable conditions) by reason of misconduct due to a Pattern of misconduct and Personality disorder.  Commanding officer’s comments:  AMSAR (applicant is being processed due to a personality disorder and misconduct due to a pattern of misconduct.  However, the primary grounds for processing is misconduct.  AMSAR (applicant) is incapable of adhering to the rules and regulations of this command and the United States Navy, and is simply unwilling to conduct himself in a manner conducive to good order and discipline.  AMSAR (applicant) falls within the parameters of reference (a), and administrative discharge is warranted under these circumstances.  AMSAR (applicant) was evaluated in the Outpatient Mental Health Clinic, Naval Hospital, Jacksonville, Florida on 28 December 1998 for suicidal ideation.  Following the evaluation, it was determined that AMSAR (applicant) suffers from a personality disorder and is impaired for further naval service.  The diagnosis was based on AMSAR (applicant) being considered potentially dangerous due to a reported past history of suicidal ideation, difficulty controlling anger, and impulsive behavior.  Additionally, the psychiatrist found that while AMSAR (applicant) is not imminently suicidal or homicidal, due to his lifelong pattern of maladaptive responses to routine personal and/or work-related stressors, he may become dangerous to himself or others in the future.  Therefore, I recommended AMSAR (applicant) be separated with a characterization of Other Than Honorable.

990126:	Commander, Naval Base, Jacksonville directed the applicant's discharge General (under Honorable conditions) by reason of misconduct due to a Pattern of misconduct.

PART III – RATIONALE FOR DECISION AND PERTINENT REGULATION/LAW

Discussion

The applicant was discharged on 990127 General (under Honorable conditions) for misconduct due to a Pattern of misconduct (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).

In the applicant’s issue 1, the Board determined this issue is without merit.  The applicant claims his command did not want to let him out and tried to make his discharge lower.  Also, the Admiral gave him a General and promised him there was no reason why it would not turn into an Honorable, based on the circumstances.  The applicant’s Commanding Officer, did recommend an Other Than Honorable discharge for the applicant which was upgraded to General (under Honorable conditions) by Commander, Naval Base Jacksonville.  However, the discharge is not automatically upgraded to Honorable, based solely, on the passage of time.  The NDRB is authorized to award clemency for post-service factors (what has the applicant done since discharge to become a contributing member of his/her community and to society in general).  Those factors include but are not limited to the following:  Evidence of continuing educational pursuits (transcripts, diploma, degree or vocational-technical certificates), a verifiable employment history (letter of recommendation from employer), documentation of community service (letter from activity/community group), certificate of non-involvement with civil authorities (police records check) and proof of not using drugs (detoxification certificate).  The applicant did not provide any documentation to demonstrate good character and conduct.  The applicant is encouraged to begin establishing a reputation of good character and document his accomplishments.  Documentation to support any claim of good character is a must to receive any consideration based on post-service achievements.  The applicant remains eligible for a personal appearance hearing, to discuss his post-service accomplishments, provided an application is received by the NDRB within fifteen years from the date of his discharge.  Legal representation at the hearing is advisable.  Relief denied.

Pertinent Regulation/Law (at time of discharge)

A.  Naval Military Personnel Manual, (NAVPERS 15560C), Change 18, effective
12 Dec 1997 until Present, Article 1910-140 (formerly 3630600), SEPARATION BY REASON OF MISCONDUCT - PATTERN OF MISCONDUCT.

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