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

ex-SR, USNR
Docket No. ND00-00799

Applicant’s Request

The application for discharge review, received 000612, 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 010111.  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:  ENTRY LEVEL SEPARATION/Other physical/mental conditions - personality disorder, authority: NAVMILPERSMAN, Article 3620200.

PART I - APPLICANT’S ISSUES AND DOCUMENTATION

Issues (verbatim)

1.  I was not counseled by command before I was discharged "Aswauth" I did not have representation to fully explain the extent of my discharge.  The recruiter who enlisted me knew of my medical record and was guilty of misconduct.  "aswauth"

2.  My trainee discharge should have been honorable "aswauth" I had a medical condition, could not complete basis training. "aswauth"  I should have been given a medical discharge because I was never medcally qualified to serve. "aswauth"

3. Rehabilitative requirements were not met or waived "Aswauth" no rehabilitative efforts were made by the Navy to enable me to continue basic & the remainder of my enlistment

4.  Under current standards today, I would received an honorable discharge "Aswauth"  Medical or physical problems I had impaired my ability to serve "aswauth"

Documentation

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

Copy of applicant's DD Form 214
Letter from applicant dated June 25, 2000

PART II - SUMMARY OF SERVICE

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

	Active:   None
	Inactive: None

Period of Service Under Review:

Date of Enlistment:  860116		Date of Discharge:  860918

Length of Service (years, months, days):

	Active:    00  01  25
	Inactive:  00  06  07

Age at Entry:  19			Years Contracted:  8

Education Level:  12			AFQT:  67

Highest Rate:  SR

Final Enlisted Performance Evaluation Averages (number of marks):

Performance:  NMA		Behavior:  NMA		OTA:  NMA

Military Decorations:  None

Unit/Campaign/Service Awards:  None 

Days of Unauthorized Absence:  None

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

ENTRY LEVEL SEPARATION/Other physical/mental conditions - personality disorder, authority:  NAVMILPERSMAN, Article 3620200.

Chronological Listing of Significant Service Events:

860724:	Applicant ordered to active duty for 36 months in the Active Mariner Program.

860822:	Medical Evaluation:  Applicant diagnosed with severe, borderline personality disorder, with passive/aggressive features, EPTE.  The psychiatrist recommended separation based on a personality disorder of such severity as to render the applicant incapable of serving adequately in the naval service.  Applicant was considered self-destructive and a continuing risk of harm to self or others.

860828:	Applicant notified of intended recommendation for discharge entry level separation by reason of convenience of the government on the basis of a diagnosed personality disorder of such severity as to render the applicant incapable of serving adequately in the naval service.

860828:  	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.

860908:	Commanding officer recommended discharge entry level separation by reason of convenience of the government on the basis of a diagnosed personality disorder of such severity as to render the applicant incapable of serving adequately in the naval service.  Commanding officer’s comments (verbatim):  Based on the comments of the Recruit Training Command, Recruit Evaluation Unit Staff contained in enclosure (3), it is felt that any further attempts to train subject named member would create a serious suicide risk.  Because of this possibility, it is recommended that subject member be discharged from the naval service by reason of convenience of the government with an Entry Level Separation.

860911:	Commander, Naval Training Center, Great Lakes directed the applicant's discharge entry level separation by reason of convenience of the government on the basis of a personality disorder in accordance with NAVMILPERSMAN, Article 3620200.

PART III – RATIONALE FOR DECISION AND PERTINENT 
REGULATION/LAW

Discussion

The applicant was discharged on 860918 with an entry level separation for convenience of the government on the basis of a diagnosed personality disorder of such severity as to render the applicant incapable of serving adequately in the naval service. (A and B).  The Board presumed regularity in the conduct of governmental affairs (C).  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 (D and E).

In response to applicant’s issues 1 and 3, the Board found that to permit relief, an error or injustice must be found to have existed during the period of enlistment under review.  There was nothing in the records, nor did the applicant provide any documentation, to indicate there existed an error of fact, law, procedure, or discretion at the time of discharge.  There was no rights violation and no basis for relief.

In response to applicant’s issues 2 and 3, the Board found that the applicant served less than 180 days of active duty and is therefore only eligible to receive an ‘entry level separation’.  The NDRB also determined that the reason for discharge the applicant received, other physical/mental conditions-personality disorder, correctly describes why the applicant was discharged from the Navy.  Under current standards today, the applicant would have received exactly the same discharge.  Relief denied.

Pertinent Regulation/Law (at time of discharge)

A.  Naval Military Personnel Manual, (NAVPERS 15560), Change 1/86, effective
 29 Jan 86 until 14 Jun 87, Article 3620200, SEPARATION OF ENLISTED PERSONNEL FOR CONVENIENCE OF THE GOVERNMENT

B.  NAVOP 013/87 (CNO 201614ZFEB87) Delegated authority to Special Court-Martial Convening Authorities (SPCMCA's) to administratively separate enlisted members in certain circumstances.  Authority was delegated for separation of enlisted members with Honorable, General, or Entry Level discharges for the following reasons where member does not object to the separation.

C.  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.  

D.  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.

E.  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