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

 ex-SA, USN  
Docket No. ND00-00246

Applicant’s Request

The application for discharge review, received 991209, requested that the characterization of service on the discharge be changed to honorable.  The applicant requested a documentary record discharge review.  The applicant listed DISABLED AMERICAN VETERANS as his representative on the DD Form 293.

Decision

A documentary discharge review was conducted in Washington, D.C. on 000803.  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 3630600.

PART I - APPLICANT’S ISSUES AND DOCUMENTATION

Issues

1.  My discharge was inequitable because prior to the incident that resulted in my discharge I was examined at Portsmouth Naval Hospital for back pains due to an increase of the curuature in my spine from the laborous job of a Boatswains mate, which entailed pulling mooring line when entering ports to carry anchor chains to ammo on loads and off loads.  Prior to my discharge I was detached from my command (USS AUSTIN) and given a permanent light duty chit with a medical separation pending.

2.  (DAV's Issue) The FSM is contending the discharge General, Under Honorable Conditions is inequitable due to an injury incurred while on active duty.  The FSM maintains the laborious position and the duties associated with being a Boatwain's mate were aggravating to his medical conditions. 

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:   USN 		None
	Inactive: USNR (DEP)	900925 - 900926	COG

Period of Service Under Review:

Date of Enlistment:  900926		Date of Discharge:  931022

Length of Service (years, months, days):

	Active:    03  00  27
	Inactive:  None

Age at Entry:  17			Years Contracted:  4 

Education Level:  12			AFQT:  69

Highest Rate:  SA

Final Enlisted Performance Evaluation Averages (number of marks):

Performance:  3.30 (4)	Behavior:  3.05 (4)		OTA:  3.45

Military Decorations:  None

Unit/Campaign/Service Awards:  SSDR, NUC, CAR, NDSM, SASM(wb*) 

Days of Unauthorized Absence:  2 

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

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

Chronological Listing of Significant Service Events:

910829:	NJP for violation of UCMJ, Article 86: (2 Specs), Spec 1: UA 2 days and 13 hours, Spec 2: Fail to go to appointed place of duty, 5 hours.
	Award:  Forfeiture of $150.00 per month for 2 months, restriction and extra duty for 20 days, reduction to E-1.  No indication of appeal in the record.

910830:	Retention Warning from [USS WISCONSIN (BB-64)]:  Advised of deficiency (You are developing a pattern of misconduct as evidenced by a non-judicial punishment and other minor disciplinary infractions), notified of corrective actions and assistance available, advised of consequences of further deficiencies, and issued discharge warning. 

920407:	Retention Warning from [USS AUSTIN (LPD-4)]:  Advised of deficiency (Failure to go to appointed place of duty), notified of corrective actions and assistance available, advised of consequences of further deficiencies, and issued discharge warning. 

920407:	NJP for violation of UCMJ, Article 86: Failing to go to appointed place of duty.
	Award:  Forfeiture of 1/2 pay per month for 2 months (suspended for 6 months) , restriction and extra duty for 45 days.  No indication of appeal in the record.

920417:	NJP for violation of UCMJ, Article 113: Misbehavior or lookout.
	Award:  Restriction and extra duty for 30 days.  No indication of appeal in the record.

930804:	NJP for violation of UCMJ, Article 80: Attempts, violation of UCMJ Article 81: Conspiracy, violation of UCMJ Article 109: Destroying non-military property; violation of UCMJ Article 121: Larceny; violation of UCMJ Article 134: Stolen property knowingly receiving, concealed.
	Award:  Forfeiture of $350.00 per month for 2 months, restriction and extra duty for 45 days, reduction to E-2, recommend OTH.  No indication of appeal in the record.

930804:	USS AUSTIN (LPD-4) notified applicant of intended recommendation for discharge under other than honorable conditions by reason of misconduct due to a pattern of misconduct and misconduct due to commission of a serious offense.

930811:  	Applicant advised of his rights and having consulted with counsel certified under UCMJ Article 27B, elected to appear before an Administrative Discharge Board.

930914:	An Administrative Discharge Board, based upon a preponderance of the evidence and by unanimous vote, found that the applicant had committed misconduct due to a pattern of misconduct and misconduct due to commission of a serious offense, that the misconduct warranted separation, and recommended discharge general under honorable conditions.

930929:	Commanding officer recommended discharge under other than honorable conditions by reason of misconduct due to a pattern of misconduct and misconduct due to commission of a serious offense.

931012:	BUPERS 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 931022 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’s first issue states:  “My discharge was inequitable because prior to the incident that resulted in my discharge I was examined at Portsmouth Naval Hospital for back pains due to an increase of the curuature in my spine from the laborous job of a Boatswains mate, which entailed pulling mooring line when entering ports to carry anchor chains to ammo on loads and off loads.  Prior to my discharge I was detached from my command (USS AUSTIN) and given a permanent light duty chit with a medical separation pending.”  The NDRB found that the applicant was discharged for his misconduct not injuries sustained on active duty.  The applicant was notified of intended discharge and exercised his rights to an Administrative Discharge Board.  The discharge was conducted in strict compliance with the regulations.  Relief not warranted.

The applicant’s second issue states:  “(DAV's Issue) The FSM is contending the discharge General, Under Honorable Conditions is inequitable due to an injury incurred while on active duty.  The FSM maintains the laborious position and the duties associated with being a Boatwain's mate were aggravating to his medical conditions.”  The NDRB found that while the applicant may have experienced medical conditions while on active duty, this in no way mitigates, excuses or otherwise justifies his documented misconduct.  The applicant’s misconduct included: Conspiracy, Larceny, Unauthorized Absence, Knowinly Receiving Stolen Property, and Destroying non-military Property.  Relief is denied.

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 – 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