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

 ex-EN3, USN
Docket No. ND01-00927

Applicant’s Request

The application for discharge review, received 010716, requested that the reason for the discharge be changed to "completed 4 years of service commitment".  The applicant requested a documentary record discharge review.  The applicant did not designate a representative on the DD Form 293.

Decision

A documentary discharge review was conducted in Washington, D.C. on 020130.  After a thorough review of the records, supporting documents, facts, and circumstances unique to this case, NDRB discerned an impropriety in the narrative reason for separation.  The Board’s vote was unanimous that the reason for the discharge shall change.  The discharge shall change to:  HONORABLE/ COMPLETION OF REQUIRED ACTIVE SERVICE, authority:  MILPERSMAN, Article 3620150.  The separation Code shall change to :  JBK.  .  

PART I - APPLICANT’S ISSUES AND DOCUMENTATION

Issues

1.  The narrative reason for my separation is listed on my DD214 as pregnancy or childbirth.  It was the end of my 4-year enlistment.  I had extended, NOT re-enlisted, for the BOOST Program, but I never got to start the BOOST Program, due to the navy's sexism against pregnant women who are unwilling to abort.

Documentation

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

Copy of DD Form 214

PART II - SUMMARY OF SERVICE

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

	Active:   None
	Inactive: USNR (DEP)	921123 - 921220	COG

Period of Service Under Review:

Date of Enlistment:  921221		Date of Discharge:  961220

Length of Service (years, months, days):

	Active:    04  00  00
	Inactive:  None

Age at Entry:  18			Years Contracted:  4 

Education Level:  13			AFQT:  80

Highest Rate:  EN3

Final Enlisted Performance Evaluation Averages (number of marks):

Performance:  3.93 (3)	Behavior:  4.0 (3)		OTA:  3.93 (4.0 evals)
                       	3.0 (1)		      	3.0 (1)				3.0   (5.0 evals)

Military Decorations:  None

Unit/Campaign/Service Awards:  NDSM, Navy "E" Ribbon (2), SSR(3), MUC, GCM

Days of Unauthorized Absence:  None

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

HONORABLE/PREGNANCY OR CHILDBIRTH, authority:  NAVMILPERSMAN, Article 3620200.

Chronological Listing of Significant Service Events:

921221:	Enlisted USN for a term of four years.  Established expiration of active obligation service as 961220.

931217:	Retention Warning:  Advised of deficiency (alcohol abuse which resulted in incapacitation for the performance of duties), notified of corrective actions and assistance available, advised of consequences of further deficiencies, and issued discharge warning. 	

960704:	Confirmed Pregnancy.

961009:	Performance Evaluation for period 96JUL26 - 96OCT09 indicates applicant was student under instruction in the Broadened Opportunity for Officer Selection and Training (BOOST) Program, but selection to the BOOST program been deferred until the commencement of the 97-98 academic year.  Applicant transferred to another division within NETC, Newport, RI.

961220:	Applicant discharged with an Honorable by reason of convenience of the government due to "pregnancy or childbirth", having completing 4 years of active duty obligation.

PART III – RATIONALE FOR DECISION AND PERTINENT REGULATION/LAW

Discussion

The applicant was discharged on 961220 with an honorable by reason of convenience of the government due to pregnancy or childbirth (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 narrative reason for separation was improperly assigned (C and D).

The applicant’s issue states:  “The narrative reason for my separation is listed on my DD214 as pregnancy or childbirth.  It was the end of my 4-year enlistment.  I had extended, NOT re-enlisted, for the BOOST Program, but I never got to start the BOOST Program, due to the navy's sexism against pregnant women who are unwilling to abort.”  The NDRB found the applicant fulfilled her military obligation and Honorably completed her enlistment.  The NDRB’s vote was unanimous that the reason for discharge shall change to:  “COMPLETION OF REQUIRED ACTIVE SERVICE”, Authority: MILPERSMAN 3620150.”  Additionally, the separation Code shall be changed to: JBK.  Relief is granted.

Pertinent Regulation/Law (at time of discharge)

A.  The Naval Military Personnel Manual, (NAVPERS 15560C, Change 13, effective 960624 - 961002),  Article 3620200, SEPARATION OF ENLISTED PERSONNEL BY REASON OF CONVENIENCE OF THE GOVERNMENT

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 "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