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

ex-MM2, USN
Docket No. ND01-00192

Applicant’s Request

The application for discharge review, received 001205, 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 010503.  After a thorough review of the records, 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 (verbatim)

1.  I feel that a discharge of OTH based on 1 incident in 8 years and 3 months of honorable service in 6 year at my last duty station USS OHIO SSBN 76 (Gold) I received 2 Admirals letters and numerous Captains letters.  I was praised as an outstanding sailor on nearly all evades thought my naval service.  It is because of these examples of exemplary service that I believe an OTH is not a fair judgment of my person.

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			890525 - 911208	HON
	Inactive: USNR (DEP)	880711 - 890524	COG

Period of Service Under Review:

Date of Enlistment:  911209		Date of Discharge:  971009

Length of Service (years, months, days):

	Active:    05  10  01
	Inactive:  None

Age at Entry:  20			Years Contracted:  6

Education Level:  12			AFQT:  44

Highest Rate:  MM1

Final Enlisted Performance Evaluation Averages (number of marks):

Performance:  3.97 (6)	Behavior:  3.97 (6)		OTA:  3.97	4.0 evals
Performance:  3.00 (2)	Behavior:  2.00 (2)		OTA:  2.43	5.0 evals

Military Decorations:  None

Unit/Campaign/Service Awards:  NDSM, GCM

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:

970908:	Drug and Alcohol Abuse Report: Amphetamine abuse, less than monthly, ashore off duty.  Self referral 970907.  Physician found applicant not dependent and recommended separate not via VA hospital.  Commanding Officer recommended separate not via VA hospital.

970908:	NJP for violation of UCMJ, Article 112A: Wrongfully use amphetamine on 7Sep97.
	Award: Forfeiture of $963.65 per month for 1 month, reduction to MM2.  No indication of appeal in the record.

970916:	Medical evaluation for drug abuse found the applicant to be a drug abuser, not drug dependent.

970911:	Applicant notified of intended recommendation for discharge under other than honorable conditions by reason of misconduct due to drug abuse as evidenced by all drug incidents in your current enlistment including CO's NJP 8 September 1997 for violation of UCMJ Article 112a (wrongful use of controlled substance.

970911:	Applicant advised of his rights and having elected not to consult with counsel certified under UCMJ Article 27B, elected to waive all rights.

970918:	Commanding officer recommended discharge under other than honorable conditions by reason of misconduct due to drug abuse (use).  Commanding officer’s comments (verbatim): Petty Officer (applicant's) misconduct and blatant violation of the UCMJ and the Navy's policy of zero tolerance indicate he has no potential for productive naval service.  By separate action he was disqualified for duty in submarines.  I strongly recommend that he be separated from the naval service and his service be characterized as Other Than Honorable.  Enclosures (1) through (5) provide supporting documentation for Petty Officer (applicant's) administrative separation.

970924:	Commander, Submarine Group 9 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 971009 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, facts, and circumstances unique to this case, the Board found that the discharge was proper and equitable (C and D).

In response to the applicant’s issue, the Board found the applicant implies that a permissive doctrine exists whereby one in the military is allowed to have "one incident".  The Board believes that the applicant is confusing this with the civilian world wherein some offenses are treated with leniency because they are a first time incident on an otherwise clear record.  No such leniency exists in the military.  The applicant is responsible for his actions and must accept the consequences of his misdeeds.  The Navy has ‘zero tolerance’ for those who wrongfully use controlled substances.  The Board will not grant relief on the basis of this issue.

The following is provided for the applicant’s edification.  There is no law or regulation that provides for the upgrade of an unfavorable discharge based solely on the passage of time or good conduct in the civilian life subsequent to leaving the Service.  However, the Board is authorized to consider post-service factors in the recharacterization of a discharge (D).  Those factors include, but are not limited to, the following:  evidence of continuing educational pursuits (transcripts, diplomas, degrees, vocational-technical certificates), a verifiable employment record (Letter of Recommendation from boss), documentation of community service (letter from the activity/community group), certification of non-involvement with civil authorities (police records check) and proof of his not using drugs (detoxification certificate, AA meeting attendance or letter documenting participation in the program) in order for consideration for clemency based on post-service conduct.  At this time, the applicant has not provided any documentation of good character and conduct.  Therefore no relief will be granted.  The applicant is encouraged to continue with his pursuits and is reminded that he is eligible for a personal appearance hearing provided the application is received within 15-years from the date of discharge. 

Pertinent Regulation/Law (at time of discharge)

A.  Navy Military Personnel Manual, (NAVPERS 15560C), Change 14, effective 
03 Oct 96 until 11 Dec 97, Article 3630620  SEPARATION OF ENLISTED PERSONNEL BY REASON OF MISCONDUCT ‑  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