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

 ex-STGSA, USN
Docket No. ND00-00659

Applicant’s Request

The application for discharge review, received 000424, requested that the characterization of service on the discharge be changed to entry level separation or uncharacterized.  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 001206.  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

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:

Letter from Applicant
Urinalysis Report
Discharge Certificate 

PART II - SUMMARY OF SERVICE

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

	Active:   USN			None
	Inactive: USNR (DEP)	860220 - 860504	COG

Period of Service Under Review:

Date of Enlistment:  860505		Date of Discharge:  881229

Length of Service (years, months, days):

	Active:    02  07  25
	Inactive:  None

Age at Entry:  18			Years Contracted:  4 (24 months extension)

Education Level:  12			AFQT:  81

Highest Rate:  STGSN

Final Enlisted Performance Evaluation Averages (number of marks):

Performance:  3.40 (1)	Behavior:  2.80 (2)		OTA:  3.40

Military Decorations:  None

Unit/Campaign/Service Awards:  None 

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:

860218:	Drug and Alcohol Abuse Statement of Understanding.

860821:	NJP for violation of UCMJ, Article 134: Incapacitated in the proper performance of his duties due to overindulgence in intoxicating liquor or drugs.
	Award:  Forfeiture of $100.00 per month for 1 month, restriction for 10 days, reduction to E-1 (suspended for 6 months).  No indication of appeal in the record.

860821:	Retention Warning:  Advised of deficiency (Failure to comply with the UMCJ and U.S. Navy Regulations and Incapacitated for the proper performance of his duties), notified of corrective actions and assistance available, advised of consequences of further deficiencies, and issued discharge warning. 

870313:	Briefed on Navy's Policy on Drug/Alcohol Abuse.

880126:	NJP for violation of UCMJ, Article 92: Failure to obey a lawful general order, to wit: Tijuana curfew.
	Award:  Confinement on Bread & Water for 3 days.  No indication of appeal in the record.

880402:	Retention Warning:  Advised of deficiency (CO's NJP held on 880226 for violation of the UCMJ, Article 92: Failure to obey a lawful general order), notified of corrective actions and assistance available, advised of consequences of further deficiencies, and issued discharge warning. 

880519:	NAVDRUGLAB SAN DIEGO, CA urinalysis indicates applicant tested positive for THC.

880527:	NJP for violation of UCMJ, Article 112a: Wrongful use of a controlled substance, to wit: marijuana. Not dependent. 
	Award:  Forfeiture of $350.00 per month for 2 months, restriction and extra duty for 45 days, reduction to E-2.  No indication of appeal in the record.

880624:	Applicant notified of intended recommendation for discharge under other than honorable conditions by reason of misconduct due to pattern of misconduct and misconduct due to drug abuse and misconduct due to commission of a serious offense.

880624:  	Applicant advised of his rights and having consulted with counsel certified under UCMJ Article 27B, elected to appear before an Administrative Discharge Board.

880820:	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 drug abuse, that the misconduct warranted separation, and recommended discharge under other than honorable conditions.

880919:	Commanding officer recommended discharge under other than honorable conditions by reason of misconduct due to pattern of misconduct and misconduct due to drug abuse (use). 

881217:	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 881229 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.

After a review of the applicant’s service record and other evidence presented to the NDRB, in conjunction with consideration of the factors listed in paragraph 9.3 of reference (a), it was determined that relief is not warranted.

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