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

ex-QMSN, USN
Docket No. ND01-00087 

Applicant’s Request

The application for discharge review, received 001019, 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 010329.  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 at the time of issue.  The Board found after considering the applicant’s substantial post service conduct that the characterization of discharge was, however, inequitable.  The Board’s vote was unanimous that the character of the discharge shall change.  The discharge shall read:  HONORABLE / Other physical/mental conditions - personality disorder, authority: NAVMILPERSMAN, Article 3620200.

PART I - APPLICANT’S ISSUES AND DOCUMENTATION

Issues

1.  I respectfully request that you upgrade my military discharge from general to honorable.  During my service in the US Navy, I did my best to show exemplary conduct in performance and duty.  There are no occasions when I faltered in either.  It was my goal to succeed in the military, and hopefully make a career in the military.  As my attached letters will show I was respected and well thought of by my superiors.  Even under the most intense circumstances my performance level did not waver.  I served on board the U. S. S. Flatley FFG-2 1. Over an extended period of time my inability to adjust to my surroundings, and properly vent stress and pressure became more than I could handle.  I sought help from my leading petty officer, division officer, ship's doctor, and ship's chaplain.  The ship's chaplain, Lt. S_ sent me to the base chaplain (Navsta Mobile) who sent me to the base doctor.  She told me, that I was more depressed than I knew and that I may be a danger to myself.  She sent me to a psychologist in Pensacola, Fl.  By this time my situation had only worsened and had received no help in dealing with my problem.  After the psychologist evaluation I was discharged from the Navy with a personality disorder.  I never received any counseling on how to properly deal with stress and pressure. Since my discharge I have worked hard to build a life for myself I have done the best I know how in learning to deal with over-stressful situations.  I am endeavoring to become a minister and I have attached letters that my present employer and pastor provided me with during different stages of ministerial training. I have been through many self-evaluation courses and personality test while in training and they have taught me a-lot about my personality, behavior, and my actions. I served in the Navy with an exemplary record; I never faltered in performance, judgment or duty.  I was trustworthy, accountable and motivated to succeed, only over an extended period of time I suffered due to my inability to vent stress and pressure properly.  I sought help on numerous occasions and did not receive any but was passed on to the next person.  I respectfully request that you would allow my service record to convince you to upgrade my discharge to honorable.  I am doing my best to establish a successful and stable life and I believe that an upgrade to honorable will further help me.  Thank you, Sincerely,

Documentation

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

Copy of applicant's DD Form 214
Picture of applicant
Three pages from applicant's service record
Character reference from Senior Pastor of Church of God, Harvest Ministries dated March 25, 2000
Character reference dated March 18, 1999
Copy of Certificate of Achievement dated November 19, 1999
Copy of certificate dated February 2, 2000

PART II - SUMMARY OF SERVICE

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

	Active:   USN			None
	Inactive: USNR (DEP)	None

Period of Service Under Review:

Date of Enlistment:  911016		Date of Discharge:  930720

Length of Service (years, months, days):

	Active:    01  09  05
	Inactive:  None

Age at Entry:  18			Years Contracted:  4

Education Level:  12			AFQT:  52

Highest Rate:  QMSN

Final Enlisted Performance Evaluation Averages (number of marks):

Performance:  4.00 (2)	Behavior:  4.00 (2)		OTA:  4.00

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 HONORABLE CONDITIONS (GENERAL)/Other physical/mental conditions - personality disorder, authority:  NAVMILPERSMAN, Article 3620200.

Chronological Listing of Significant Service Events:

930716:	Applicant diagnosed with a personality disorder NOS with immature, narcissistic, avoidant, compulsive, and passive-aggressive features.  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.
930720:	Applicant notified of intended recommendation for discharge general (under honorable conditions) 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 as evidenced by psychiatric examination of 16 July 1993.

930720:  	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.

930720:	Commanding officer directed discharge general (under honorable conditions) 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. 

PART III – RATIONALE FOR DECISION AND PERTINENT REGULATION/LAW

Discussion

The applicant was discharged on 930720 under honorable conditions (general) 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) at the time of discharge.  After considering the applicant’s post service documentation the Board voted unanimously to upgrade in the character of discharge was warranted.

The applicant’s issue (letter) discussed his service and post service.  The NDRB found the applicant’s post service documentation creditable and significant enough to warrant a change in the discharge.  Based on provisions in Ref (E) the NDRB grants relief.

Pertinent Regulation/Law (at time of discharge)

A.  Naval Military Personnel Manual, (NAVPERS 15560C), Change 5, effective 5 Mar 93 until  21 Jul 94, Article 3620200, SEPARATION OF ENLISTED PERSONNEL BY REASON OF CONVENIENCE OF THE GOVERNMENT

B.  Naval Military Personnel Manual, (NAVPERS 15560C), Change 5, effective 5 Mar 93 until  21 Jul 94, Article 3620225, SEPARATION OF ENLISTED PERSONNEL BY REASON OF CONVENIENCE OF THE GOVERNMENT ON THE BASIS OF PERSONALITY DISORDER

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