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

ex-A0AN, USN
Docket No. ND01-00224

Applicant’s Request

The application for discharge review, received 001215, requested that the characterization of service on the discharge be changed to honorable and the reason for 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 010601.  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, authority: NAVMILPERSMAN, Article 1910-146, formerly Article 3630620.

PART I - APPLICANT’S ISSUES AND DOCUMENTATION

Issues

1.  I was married one year before my discharge to a lovely woman whom I thought I'd be with for life but circumstances didn't permit and after we made and agreement to divorce I was devastated and emotional disturbed.  I had made attempts to voluntary separate from the Navy but wasn't allowed separation upon request.  Reason for asking separation was to salvage my marriage.  That's when I started getting involved w/marijuana heavily and eventually I tested positive for the use of it.

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			880830 - 930815	HON
	Inactive: USNR (DEP)	880719 - 880829	COG

Period of Service Under Review:

Date of Enlistment:  930816		Date of Discharge:  980127

Length of Service (years, months, days):

	Active:    04  05  00
	Inactive:  None

Age at Entry:  19			Years Contracted:  5 

Education Level:  12			AFQT:  33

Highest Rate:  AO3

Final Enlisted Performance Evaluation Averages (number of marks):

Performance:  3.50 (4)	Behavior:  2.50 (4)		OTA:  3.17

Military Decorations:  NMCAM

Unit/Campaign/Service Awards:  NDSM, SSDR, MUC, SASM, JMUC, OSR

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 1910-146, formerly 3630620.

Chronological Listing of Significant Service Events:

930816:	Reenlisted at NAS Pensacola, FL for 5 years.
 
960212:	Retention Warning:  Advised of deficiency (Violation of UCMJ, Article 86 and 92), notified of corrective actions and assistance available, advised of consequences of further deficiencies, and issued discharge warning. 

960212:	NJP for violation of UCMJ, Article 86: Failure to report to appointed place of duty, violation of UCMJ Article 92: Failure to obey a lawful order.
Award:  Restriction for 60 days, reduction to E-3.  No indication of appeal in the record.

971216:	NJP for violation of UCMJ, Article 112A: Wrongful use of marijuana on or about 971125.
Award:  Forfeiture of $598.00 per month for 2 months, restriction and extra duty for 45 days, reduction to E-3.  No indication of appeal in the record.

971224:	Applicant notified of intended recommendation for discharge under other than honorable conditions by reason of misconduct due to drug abuse as evidenced by member receiving NJP on 971216 for violation of UCMJ, Article 112a: Wrongful use of marijuana; and by reason of misconduct due to commission of a serious offense as evidenced by member receiving NJP on 960212 for violation of UCMJ, Article 92: Failure to obey a lawful order and; by reason of pattern of misconduct as evidenced by member receiving two NJP's during his current enlistment 

971224:  	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.

971229:	Medical evaluation for drug abuse found the applicant to be not drug dependent.

980108:	Commanding officer recommended discharge under other than honorable conditions by reason of misconduct due to drug abuse as evidenced by member receiving NJP on 971216 for violation of UCMJ, Article 112a: Wrongful use of marijuana; and by reason of misconduct due to commission of a serious offense as evidenced by member receiving NJP on 960212 for violation of UCMJ, Article 92: Failure to obey a lawful order and; by reason of pattern of misconduct as evidenced by member receiving two NJP's during his current enlistment.  

980114:	Commander, Amphibious Group TWO authorized 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 980127 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’s issue discussed the circumstances of his misconduct as matters of mitigation.  He stated that he was in the process of a divorce and was denied his requests for voluntary separation.  The applicant provided no documentation to support his issue, and the board found nothing in the applicant’s service record to support this issue.  The NDRB found the discharge proper and equitable as issued.  Relief based on this issue, relief is not warranted.

The NDRB is authorized to consider post-service factors in the re characterization of a discharge.  There is no law or regulation which provides that an unfavorable discharge may be upgraded based solely on the passage of time, or good conduct in the civilian life subsequent to leaving the service.  Normally, to permit relief, an error or injustice must have been found to have existed during the period of enlistment in question.  Outstanding post-service conduct, to the extent that such matters provide a basis for a more thorough understanding of the applicant’s performance and conduct during the period of service under review, may be considered by the NDRB.  The applicant failed to provide documentary evidence to demonstrate his sobriety, positive community service, employment history, and clean police record.  Relief is not warranted.

The applicant is eligible for a personal appearance hearing provided the application is received within 15 years from the date of discharge.  Representation at personal appearance hearing is recommended.

Pertinent Regulation/Law (at time of discharge)

A.  The Naval Military Personnel Manual, (NAVPERS 15560C), Change 18, effective 12 Dec 97 to 19 May 99, Article 1910-146 (formerly 3630620), Separation 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