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

ex-ENFR, USN
Docket No. ND00-00169  

Applicant’s Request

The application for discharge review, received 991115, 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 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 - Pattern of misconduct, authority: NAVMILPERSMAN, Article 3630600.

PART I - APPLICANT’S ISSUES AND DOCUMENTATION

Issues

Prior to the documentary discharge review, the applicant introduced no issues as block 8 on the DD Form 293 is blank. 

Documentation

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

Character reference letters (4)
Copy of DD Form 214

PART II - SUMMARY OF SERVICE

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

	Active:   USN			None
	Inactive: USNR (DEP)	841016 - 850303	COG

Period of Service Under Review:

Date of Enlistment:  850304		Date of Discharge:  870603

Length of Service (years, months, days):

	Active:    02  03  00
	Inactive:  None

Age at Entry:  18			Years Contracted:  4 

Education Level:  12			AFQT:  31

Highest Rate:  ENFA

Final Enlisted Performance Evaluation Averages (number of marks):

Performance:  1.73 (3)	Behavior:  2.46 (3)		OTA:  2.66

Military Decorations:  None

Unit/Campaign/Service Awards:  None 

Days of Unauthorized Absence:  41 

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

UNDER OTHER THAN HONORABLE CONDITIONS/Misconduct - Pattern of misconduct, authority:  NAVMILPERSMAN, Article 3630600.

Chronological Listing of Significant Service Events:

860718:	Retention Warning from [USS GERMANTOWN (LSD-42) FPO SAN  FRANCISCO, CA]:  Advised of deficiency (Unauthorized absence.), notified of corrective actions and assistance available, advised of consequences of further deficiencies, and issued discharge warning. 

860801:	NJP for violation of UCMJ, Article 86: UA from 0700 860705 to 0030, 860721.
	Award:  Referred to Summary Courts-Martial.

860919:	Summary Court Martial for violation of UCMJ, Article 86: UA 14 days.
Award:  Confinement on Bread & Water for 3 days, CHL for 16 days, reduction in rate (suspended for 3 months).

861126:	Report of Declaration of Deserter (NAVPERS 1600-3).  Applicant declared a deserter on 861125 having been an unauthorized absentee since 0730, 861116 from USS GERMANTOWN.

870122:	Summary Court Martial for violation of UCMJ, Article 86: UA 20 days.
Award:  CHL for 1 month, forfeiture of 2/3 pay per month (15 days CHL and forfeiture of 2/3 pay per month suspended for 3 months).

870320:	Punishment of 15 days CHL and forfeiture of 2/3 of 1 months pay for 1 month suspended at Summary Court Martial held on 870122 vacated this date due to continued misconduct.

870320:	NJP for violation of UCMJ, Article 86: UA from 870302-870309(7days/S).
	Award:  Forfeiture of $200.00 per month for 2 months, restriction and extra duty for 30 days.  No indication of appeal in the record.

870421:	USS GERMANTOWN notified applicant of intended recommendation for discharge under other than honorable conditions by reason of misconduct due to a pattern of misconduct as evidenced by unauthorized absences [EXTRACTED FROM CO'S MESSAGE].

870421:	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 [EXTRACTED FROM CO'S MESSAGE].

870506:	Commanding officer recommended discharge under other than honorable conditions by reason of misconduct due to a pattern of misconduct.  Commanding officer’s comments: [(verbatim), if appropriate]: 

870529:	CNMPC directed the applicant's discharge under other than 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 870603 under other than 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).

The applicant introduced no decisional issues for consideration by the Board.

Pertinent Regulation/Law (at time of discharge)

A.  Naval Military Personnel Manual, (NAVPERS 15560, Change 7/86, effective 15 Dec 86 until 14 Jun 87), Article 3630600, SEPARATION OF ENLISTED MEMBERS BY REASON OF MISCONDUCT ‑ A 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