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

ex-SR, USN
Docket No. ND01-00275

Applicant’s Request

The application for discharge review, received 010103, 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 010808.  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 - Pattern of misconduct, authority: NAVMILPERSMAN, Article 3630600.

PART I - APPLICANT’S ISSUES AND DOCUMENTATION

Issues (verbatim)

1.  I am requesting this upgrade because aid can be render by VA.  At this time this aid is useless unless I have an upgrade.  Furthermore the transitional living community recovery program last just 3 mons.  I would & do need additional treatment after this program. VA will assist me if my discharge is upgraded.

Documentation

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

Letter from Transitional Living Communities dated October 31, 2000
Copy of Big Book Study Relapse Prevention log sheet for applicant

PART II - SUMMARY OF SERVICE

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

	Active:   None
	Inactive: USNR (DEP)	880718 - 880727	COG

Period of Service Under Review:

Date of Enlistment:  880728		Date of Discharge:  900813

Length of Service (years, months, days):

	Active:    02  00  16
	Inactive:  None

Age at Entry:  30			Years Contracted:  4

Education Level:  12			AFQT:  66

Highest Rate:  SA

Final Enlisted Performance Evaluation Averages (number of marks):

Performance:  3.20 (1)	Behavior:  3.00 (2)		OTA:  3.20

Military Decorations:  None

Unit/Campaign/Service Awards:  None

Days of Unauthorized Absence:  12 

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

UNDER OTHER THAN HONORABLE CONDITIONS/Misconduct - Pattern of misconduct, authority:  NAVMILPERSMAN, Article 3630600.

Chronological Listing of Significant Service Events:

880731:	Applicant briefed on Navy's policy on drug and alcohol abuse.

881129:	NJP for violation of UCMJ, Article 112 (2 specs): (1) Drunk on duty on 1030, 17Nov88, (2) Drunk on duty on 0918, 23Nov88.
	Award: Forfeiture of $200 per month for 2 months, reduction to SR.  Reduction suspended for 6 months.  No indication of appeal in the record.

881129:	Retention Warning from Naval Submarine School:  Advised of deficiency (Drunk on duty.), notified of corrective actions and assistance available, advised of consequences of further deficiencies, and issued discharge warning. 

890316:	NAVDRUGLAB, Jacksonville, FL reports applicant's urine sample, received 890309, tested positive for cocaine.

890331:	NJP for violation of UCMJ, Article 86: Unauthorized absence on 0640, 22Feb89 to 1630, 25Feb89 (3 days/surrendered), violation of UCMJ, Article 112A: Wrongful use of a controlled substance, to wit: cocaine violation of UCMJ, Article 134 (2 specs): Disorderly conduct on 16Mar89; drunkenness on 17Mar89.
	Award: Forfeiture of $349 per month for 2 months, restriction and extra duty for 45 days, reduction to SR.  No indication of appeal in the record.

890602:	NJP for violation of UCMJ, Article 86: Unauthorized absence on 0650, 16May89 to 1750, 19May89 (3 days/surrendered).
	Award: Restriction and extra duty for 30 days.  No indication of appeal in the record.

891018:	Retention Warning from USS CARON (DD-970):  Advised of deficiency (Excessive alcohol consumption has caused your work performance to decline.  In addition, your personal behavior while under the influence of alcohol is unacceptable.), notified of corrective actions and assistance available, advised of consequences of further deficiencies, and issued discharge warning. 

891117:	Applicant to unauthorized absence 0650, 17Nov89.

891118:	Applicant from unauthorized absence 0650, 18Nov89 (1 day/surrendered).

900111:	Applicant diagnosed as alcohol dependent.  Urine screened positive for cocaine.

900221:	NJP for violation of UCMJ, Article 86: Unauthorized absence on 0650, 2Feb90 to 0650, 7Feb90 (5 days/surrendered), violation of UCMJ, Article 87: Missing movement on 3Feb90, violation of UCMJ, Article 112A: Wrongful use of a controlled substance.
	Award: Forfeiture of $349 per month for 2 months, restriction and extra duty for 45 days.  No indication of appeal in the record.

900223:	USS CARON (DD-970) notified applicant of intended recommendation for discharge under other than honorable conditions by reason of alcohol abuse rehabilitation failure, misconduct due to a pattern of misconduct, misconduct due to commission of a serious offense and misconduct due to drug abuse.

900223:  	Applicant advised of his rights and having consulted with counsel certified under UCMJ Article 27B, elected to appear before an Administrative Discharge Board.  [Date estimated.]

900504:	NJP for violation of UCMJ, Article 86: Unauthorized absence on 0715-1115, 16Apr90.
	Award: Restriction and extra duty for 30 days.  No indication of appeal in the record.

900505:	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, commission of a serious offense and drug abuse, that the misconduct warranted separation, and recommended discharge under other than honorable conditions.

900531:	Commanding officer recommended discharge under other than honorable conditions by reason of misconduct due to a pattern of misconduct.

900614:	CNMPC directed the applicant's discharge under other than honorable conditions by reason of misconduct due to a pattern of misconduct.

PART III – RATIONALE FOR DECISION AND PERTINENT 
REGULATION/LAW

Discussion

The applicant was discharged on 900813 under other than honorable conditions for misconduct due to a pattern of misconduct (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 the applicant’s issue, the Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) is a separate agency that makes its own determinations on VA eligibility.  There is no requirement or law that grants recharacterization based solely on the issue of obtaining veteran's benefits.  The Board encourages the applicant to contact his nearest DVA Regional Office for further information regarding his VA eligibility.  This is not an issue for which the Board will grant relief.

The following is provided for the applicant’s edification.  The NDRB is authorized to consider post-service factors in the recharacterization of a discharge (E).  The applicant must be aware that 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 is reminded that he 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 highly recommended.
 
Pertinent Regulation/Law (at time of discharge)

A.  Naval Military Personnel Manual, (NAVPERS 15560A, Change 8 effective 21 Aug 89 until 14 Aug 91), Article 3630600, SEPARATION OF ENLISTED PERSONNEL BY REASON OF MISCONDUCT ‑ A PATTERN OF MISCONDUCT. 

B.  Under the Manual for Courts-Martial, a punitive discharge is authorized for violation of the Uniform Code of Military Justice, Article 112A, for wrongful use of a controlled substance, if adjudged at a Special or General Court-Martial.

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 “afls10.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