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

 
 ex-HR, USN
Docket No. ND00-00311

Applicant’s Request

The application for discharge review, received 000110 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 000810.  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, authority: NAVMILPERSMAN, Article 3630620.

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:

Copy of DD Form 214
Copy of Associate of Arts Degree
Letter of Request from applicant

PART II - SUMMARY OF SERVICE

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

	Active:   USN			None
	Inactive: USNR (DEP)	910319 - 910721	COG

Period of Service Under Review:

Date of Enlistment:  910722		Date of Discharge:  950706

Length of Service (years, months, days):

	Active:    03  11  15
	Inactive:  None

Age at Entry:  19			Years Contracted:  4 

Education Level:  12			AFQT:  51

Highest Rate:  HN

Final Enlisted Performance Evaluation Averages (number of marks):

Performance:  3.75 (4)	Behavior:  3.85 (4)		OTA:  3.95

Military Decorations:  None

Unit/Campaign/Service Awards:  NDSM 

Days of Unauthorized Absence:  None 

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

UNDER OTHER THAN HONORABLE CONDITIONS/MISCONDUCT, authority:  NAVMILPERSMAN, Article 3630620.

Chronological Listing of Significant Service Events:

940707:	NJP for violation of UCMJ, Article 86: UA from appointed place of duty to wit: Branch Medical Clinic, Naval Station, San Diego, CA from 1545, 940330 to 1710, 940330 and from 0700, 940420 to 0900, 940420, violation of UCMJ Article 92: Dereliction of duty to wit: Leaving his post at Branch Medical Clinic, Naval Station, San Diego, CA on or about 940324 and going to sleep.  On or about 940331, sleeping on watch.  On or about 940628 failed to perform the required check of on the metro ambulance.
	Award:  Forfeiture of $400.00 per month for 2 months (suspended for 6 months), restriction and extra duty for 30 days, reduction to next inferior pay grade (suspended for 6 months).  No indication of appeal in the record.

941012:	NAVDRUGLAB, SAN DIEGO, CA urinalysis report received on 941024 tested positive for methamphetamine

941021:	Applicant placed on Drug Screening Surveillance Program for a minimum period of six months.
 
941028:	NAVDRUGLAB, SAN DIEGO, CA urinalysis report received on 941024 tested positive for methamphetamine.

941107:	Previously suspended punishment awarded at CO's NJP on 940707 is hereby vacated due to continued misconduct.
'
941111:	NJP for violation of UCMJ, Article 112a: Wrongful use of methamphetamine on or about 941003.
	Award:  Forfeiture of $300.00 per month for 2 months (suspended for 6 months), restriction and extra duty for 45 days, reduction to E-1.  No indication of appeal in the record.

941112:	NAVDRUGLAB, SAN DIEGO, CA urinalysis report received on 941025 tested positive for amphetamine/methamphetamine.

941216:	Applicant notified of intended recommendation for discharge under other than honorable conditions by reason of misconduct due to commission of a serious offense as evidenced by your Admiral's Mast conviction on 970707 for violation of Article 92 of the UCMJ; dereliction of duty, and by reason of misconduct due to drug abuse as evidenced by the urine sample you provided on 941005 testing positive for methamphetamine.

941216:  	Applicant advised of his rights and having consulted with counsel certified under UCMJ Article 27B, elected to appear before an Administrative Discharge Board.

950117:	DAAR indicates applicant tested positive for methamphetamine as a result of a random urinalysis, found not dependent by medical officer, recommended for separation not via VA Hospital.

950130:	An Administrative Discharge Board, based upon a preponderance of the evidence and by unanimous vote, found that the applicant had committed misconduct due commission of a serious offense and misconduct due to drug abuse, that the misconduct warranted separation, and recommended discharge under other than honorable conditions.

950526:	Commanding officer recommended discharge under other than honorable conditions by reason of misconduct due to drug abuse (use). 

950622:	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 950706 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).

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

Pertinent Regulation/Law (at time of discharge)

A.  Navy Military Personnel Manual, (NAVPERS 15560C), Change 9/94, effective 
22 Jul 94 until 02 Oct 96, 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