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

ex-AZAN, USN
Docket No. ND00-00138

Applicant’s Request

The application for discharge review, received 991102, requested that the characterization of service on the discharge be changed to General/under Honorable conditions.  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 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 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 – Drug abuse (Use), authority: NAVMILPERSMAN, Article 3630620.

The NDRB did note an administrative error on the original DD Form 214.  Block 24, Character of Service should read:  “Under Other Than Honorable Conditions” vice “Other Than Honorable.”.  The original DD Form 214 should be corrected or reissued as appropriate. 

PART I - APPLICANT’S ISSUES AND DOCUMENTATION

Issues

1.  My discharge was inequitable because it was based on one isolated incident in 33 months of exemplary service with no other adverse action.  In fact, my standards while serving in the U.S. Navy were never less than the highest possible evaluation score of 4.0 for my entire enlistment.
My education and career opportunities are extremely important to me as depicted by my grade point average (3.72) the last three years at San Diego State University.  I graduated in December of 1998 with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology as shown by my degree.  I ask for a discharge upgrade because I do not want my professional career aspirations of becoming a school psychologist to be impeded or nullified due to one blemish on an otherwise impeccable record of active military duty.  Any background checks with my current discharge listed may disqualify me for that job opportunity thereby halting the great progress I have made in my career path.  Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Documentation

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

Copy of degree of Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts and Sciences Psychology dated December 28, 1998
Copy of transcript from San Diego University
List of character references

PART II - SUMMARY OF SERVICE

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

	Active:   None
	Inactive: USNR (DEP)	900427 - 900822	COG

Period of Service Under Review:

Date of Enlistment:  900823		Date of Discharge:  930602

Length of Service (years, months, days):

	Active:    02  09  10
	Inactive:  None

Age at Entry:  21			Years Contracted:  4

Education Level:  13 1/2		AFQT:  80

Highest Rate:  AZ2

Final Enlisted Performance Evaluation Averages (number of marks):

Performance:  4.00 (4)	Behavior:  4.00 (4)		OTA:  4.00

Military Decorations:  None

Unit/Campaign/Service Awards:  NDSM, SASM with 3 Bronze Stars, KLM, NUC, SSDR, Letter of Commendation

Days of Unauthorized Absence:  None

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

UNDER OTHER THAN HONORABLE CONDITIONS/MISCONDUCT – Drug abuse (Use), authority:  NAVMILPERSMAN, Article 3630620.

Chronological Listing of Significant Service Events:

900127:	Applicant briefed on Navy's policy on drug and alcohol abuse.

930205:	NAVDRUGLAB, Norfolk, VA reports urine sample received 930121 tested positive for THC.
930324:	Applicant notified of intended recommendation for discharge under Other Than Honorable conditions by reason of misconduct due to Drug abuse as evidenced by your positive urinalysis test results on 5 February 1993.

930324:  	Applicant advised of his rights and having elected not to consult 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.  Applicant objected to separation.

930406:	Medical evaluation for drug abuse found the applicant not to be drug or alcohol dependent.

930406:	Commanding officer recommended discharge under Other Than Honorable conditions by reason of misconduct due to Drug abuse (Use).  Commanding officer’s comments (verbatim): We have no place in the Navy for personnel who use drugs.  Since testing positive, Petty Officer (applicant) has vehemently denied ever using drugs while in the Navy.  His outstanding performance while at Fighter Squadron 102, at first inclined me to recommend a characterization of discharge as General Under Honorable Conditions, however, the unwavering confidence I have in our urinalysis program and the results of the dependency evaluation indicated that he did in fact use marijuana and should be separated with an Other Than Honorable discharge.

930511:	Applicant waived his right to make a statement.

930518:	BUPERS directed the applicant's discharge under Other Than Honorable conditions by reason of misconduct due to Drug abuse (Use).

PART III – RATIONALE FOR DECISION AND PERTINENT REGULATION/LAW

Discussion

The applicant was discharged on 930602 under Other Than Honorable conditions for misconduct due to Drug abuse (Use) (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 drug abuse was an isolated incident, his evaluation scores were no less than 4.0 and he graduated from college and doesn’t want his career aspirations to be impeded or nullified due to one blemish on an otherwise impeccable record.  While the applicant’s record, prior to his drug abuse was 4.0, drug abuse requires mandatory processing for separation.  Although he has attended college, his continued education alone is insufficient to warrant an upgrade to his discharge.  The applicant’s discharge was proper and equitable.  Relief denied.

The following is provided for the benefit of the applicant.  There is no law or regulation that provides for the upgrade of an unfavorable discharge based solely on the passage of time or good conduct, subsequent to leaving military service.  The NDRB reviews the propriety (did the Navy follow its own rules in processing the applicant for discharge) and equity (did the applicant receive a discharge characterization in keeping with Navy guidance or was the characterization typical of other service members being separated for the same reason) of each applicant’s discharge to determine if proper procedures were followed.  This applicant’s discharge was proper and equitable.  Additionally, 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 provided minimal documentation to demonstrate good character and conduct.  The applicant is encouraged to continue to establish 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.

Pertinent Regulation/Law (at time of discharge)

A.  Navy Military Personnel Manual, (NAVPERS 15560C), Change 5/93, effective 05 Mar 93 until 21 Jul 94, Article 3630620, SEPARATION OF ENLISTED MEMBERS BY REASON OF MISCONDUCT DUE TO DRUG ABUSE.

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