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

ex-SN, USN
Docket No. ND00-00131
 
Applicant’s Request

The application for discharge review, received 991102, requested the reason for the discharge be changed.  The applicant requested a personal appearance hearing before the traveling panel closest to (blank).  The applicant did not list any representative on the DD Form 293.

Decision

A documentary discharge review was conducted in Washington, D.C. on 000727.  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 or reason for discharge.  The Board’s vote was unanimous that the reason for the discharge shall not change.  The discharge shall remain: HONORABLE/Other physical/mental conditions - personality disorder, authority: NAVMILPERSMAN, Article 3620200.

PART I - APPLICANT’S ISSUES AND DOCUMENTATION

Issues

1.  The issues that I have are the reasons why I was discharged I was told on board the U.S.S. Princeton that I could not have a leave of absents my reasons for this is because my mother was having a very hard time dealing with my sister being with child not even out of school and with no father and she was also in ill health it was a strain one her and she look up to me as her son and someone to talk to and lean on if times of need I talked to my SR personnel and chaplain and was told with out a doubt No there is no way and did not given a explanation why after about a week or two I was told to say in the meeting that I had to attend because of my pre time drinking and becoming intoxicated.  I was told to go to a Class on the dangers of drinking and in that Class they told me to wright in this letter that I was down and upset because I could not go home to help my mother and after that just before the cruise with family it was told I was being discharged and I was off that day to Pensocola N.A.S. Florida from there I stayed for about a week then I was told my discharged was ready and the day signed my papers I asked for person If it would be able to return and he told me yes I signed the paperwork was discharged about a week later I was discharged and sent home all I want out of this is to have my discharge papers change from RE 3G to a upgrade I also want the mental other than physical removed so I can rejoined the U.S. Arm Services that is my one true wish is to returned to my life’s calling I am older and more responsible It was hard to deal with being only 19 years old but now I am 29 years old and I am a change man all I am asking for is a second chance to start my life again or should I say return to what I love and want to do best.  Thank you

P.S. Please reconsider this because I am a different person then I was then I believe in my heart that now I can make a way in the Armed service Thank you.

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)	880610 - 880714	COG

Period of Service Under Review:

Date of Enlistment:  880715		Date of Discharge:  890303

Length of Service (years, months, days):

	Active:    00  07  19
	Inactive:  None

Age at Entry:  18			Years Contracted:  4

Education Level:  12			AFQT:  41

Highest Rate:  SN

Final Enlisted Performance Evaluation Averages (number of marks):

Performance:  NOB			Behavior:  3.40 (1)		OTA:  NOB

Military Decorations:  None

Unit/Campaign/Service Awards:  None 

Days of Unauthorized Absence:  None

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

HONORABLE/Other physical/mental conditions - personality disorder, authority:  NAVMILPERSMAN, Article 3620200.

Chronological Listing of Significant Service Events:

8902??:	Applicant charged with Violation of Article 86: Absence without leave while in a duty status on 1Feb89, violation of Article 107: False official statement on 2Feb89.  NJP has not been held on either case pending medical evaluation for suicidal gesture.

890206:	Applicant diagnosed with adjustment disorder with mixed emotional features (to include prominent suicidal ideation).  The psychiatrist recommended separation based on a personality disorder of such severity as to render the applicant incapable of serving adequately in the naval service.  Applicant was considered self-destructive and a continuing risk of harm to self or others.

890213:	Applicant notified of intended discharge of honorable by reason of convenience of the government on the basis of a diagnosed personality disorder of such severity as to render the applicant incapable of serving adequately in the naval service.  

890213:  	Applicant advised of his rights and having elected not to consult with counsel certified under UCMJ Article 27B, elected to waive all rights.

890215:	Commanding officer recommended discharge honorable by reason of convenience of the government on the basis of a diagnosed personality disorder of such severity as to render the applicant incapable of serving adequately in the naval service.  Commanding officer’s comments (verbatim): Despite repeated counseling by chain of command and command master chief, SNM continues to seriously be depressed about his mother's medical condition and incapable of adjusting to military life.  SNM inquired about humanitarian discharge while in precom due to mother's failing health.  When he learned that he did not qualify for humanitarian discharge because adult sister lives at home in Kansas City, MO, he became morose and despondent and started talking about the uselessness of going on.  His response in any kind of stressful situation is unpredictable.  Strongly recommend honorable discharge for the convenience of the government due to suicidal mental disorder.

890221:	CNMPC directed the applicant's type warranted by service record discharge by reason of convenience of the government on the basis of a personality disorder in accordance with NAVMILPERSMAN, Article 3620200.

PART III – RATIONALE FOR DECISION AND PERTINENT REGULATION/LAW

Discussion

The applicant was discharged on 890303 honorable for convenience of the government on the basis of a diagnosed personality disorder of such severity as to render the applicant incapable of serving adequately in the naval service. (A and B).  The Board presumed regularity in the conduct of governmental affairs (C).  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 (D and E).

1.  The separation process was in strict compliance with the Naval Military Personnel Manual.  No other Narrative Reason for Separation could more clearly describe why the applicant was discharged.  To change the Narrative Reason Separation would be inappropriate.  Relief not warranted.

Pertinent Regulation/Law (at time of discharge)

A.  Naval Military Personnel Manual, (NAVPERS 15560A), Change 6, effective 
11 Jan 89 until 13 Dec 89, Article 3620200, SEPARATION OF ENLISTED PERSONNEL FOR CONVENIENCE OF THE GOVERNMENT.

B.  NAVOP 013/87 (CNO 201614ZFEB87) Delegated authority to Special Court-Martial Convening Authorities (SPCMCA's) to administratively separate enlisted members in certain circumstances.  Authority was delegated for separation of enlisted members with Honorable, General, or Entry Level discharges for the following reasons where member does not object to the separation.

C.  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.  

D.  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.

E.  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