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

 ex-EMFA, USN
Docket No. ND00-00556

Applicant’s Request

The application for discharge review, received 000331, requested that the characterization of service on the discharge be changed to honorable or 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 001005.  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.

PART I - APPLICANT’S ISSUES AND DOCUMENTATION

Issues (verbatim)

1.  I (applicant) was released from military service with an other than honorable due to drug test.
Reason for drug test was I wanted out of service. On account of the death of fiancé and 18-month year old daughter.  Due to a drunk driver.  I reenlisted for schools.  While in San Diego my parents contacted me about my loss.  For my situation I was not thinking straight due to stress and heart ache.  It has been 14 yrs now and my life is going fine
So I am requesting for paper work I need so that I can apply for a better job.  And to better my self and new family.  The job I am applying for is a state job correction officer.  Sincerely yours

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:   USN			840327 - 880210	HON
	Inactive: USNR (DEP)	840223 - 840326	COG

Period of Service Under Review:

Date of Enlistment:  880211		Date of Discharge:  880616

Length of Service (years, months, days):

	Active:    00  04  06
	Inactive:  None

Age at Entry:  24			Years Contracted:  4

Education Level:  12			AFQT:  34

Highest Rate:  EM3

Final Enlisted Performance Evaluation Averages (number of marks):

Performance:  4.00 (1)	Behavior:  2.90 (2)		OTA:  3.80

Military Decorations:  None

Unit/Campaign/Service Awards:  SSDR 

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:

880407:	NAVDRUGLAB, Great Lakes, IL reports applicant urine sample received 880401 tested positive for cocaine.

880505:	Medical evaluation for drug abuse found the applicant to be a drug abuser, not drug dependent.   Recommended separate from service not via VA hospital.  

880510:	NJP for violation of UCMJ, Article 112A: Wrongfully used a controlled substance, cocaine on 21Mar88.
	Award: Forfeiture of $376 per month for 2 months, restriction and extra duty for 45 days, reduction to EMFA.  No indication of appeal in the record.

880519:	Applicant notified of intended recommendation for discharge under other than honorable conditions by reason of misconduct due to drug abuse as evidenced by your wrongful use of cocaine.

880519:  	Applicant advised of his rights and having elected not to consult with counsel certified under UCMJ Article 27B, elected to waive all rights.

880523:	Commanding officer recommended discharge under other than honorable conditions by reason of misconduct due to drug abuse (use).

880611:	CNMPC 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 880616 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 Board found that the applicant was in his second enlistment for 2 months when he tested positive during a urinalysis for cocaine.  In the applicant’s issue 1, the applicant states that both his fiancée and daughter died during this timeframe, although he provides no documentation to support this claim.  Regardless, the applicant is accountable for his actions.  The record is devoid of evidence that the applicant was not responsible for his conduct or that he should not be held accountable for his actions.  Therefore, no relief will be granted based on this issue. 

Pertinent Regulation/Law (at time of discharge)

A.  Navy Military Personnel Manual, (NAVPERS 15560A), effective  15 Jun 87 until 
10 Jan 89, 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