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

 ex-SA, USN
Docket No. ND02-00051

Applicant’s Request

The application for discharge review, received 011004, 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 020517.  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.  Dear Sir's  I understand at what decision you will make.  At what I done while I was in the navy, I new from the start at what I done was wrong, now I would like to do the right thing.  Because of what happen on Sept 11, 2001 that hurt our Country.  Because I have and OTH on my Record that would tell me that I can't sign back up to fight for what I believe in.  I would like to have a second chance in this to Proof you that I do Love God and to Fight for our Freedom, Like I did in the desert shield/desert storm.  Look at my record.  And whatever your decision is.  That would be what the Lord wants it to be.  Thank you for your time.

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:   None
	Inactive: USNR (DEP)	890405 - 890428	COG

Period of Service Under Review:

Date of Enlistment:  890429		Date of Discharge:  920820

Length of Service (years, months, days):

	Active:    03  03  22
	Inactive:  None

Age at Entry:  19			Years Contracted:  4

Education Level:  12			AFQT:  25/28

Highest Rate:  SN

Final Enlisted Performance Evaluation Averages (number of marks):

Performance:  3.65 (4)	Behavior:  3.50 (4)		OTA:  3.50

Military Decorations:  None

Unit/Campaign/Service Awards:  NDSM, SASM with 2 Stars, NUC, SSR, KLM, JMU

Days of Unauthorized Absence:  33

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:

891030:	Applicant to unauthorized absence 0730, 30Oct89.

891101:	Applicant from unauthorized absence 2100, 1Nov89 (1 day/surrendered).

891101:	Applicant missed ship's movement.

891101:	Applicant unauthorized absence 0700-2100, 1Nov89.

900802:	NJP for violation of UCMJ, Article 86: Unauthorized absence from 0730, 5Jul90 to 2330, 17Jul90 (12 days/surrendered), violation of UCMJ, Article 87: Missing ship's movement on 5Jul90.
	Award: Forfeiture of $406 per month for 1 month, restriction and extra duty for 30 days.  No indication of appeal in the record.

900802:	Retention Warning from USS SEATTLE (AOE-3):  Advised of deficiency (Misconduct due to violation of UCMJ, Article 86: Unauthorized absence from unit for 12 days and violation of UCMJ, Article 87: Missing ship's movement.), notified of corrective actions and assistance available, advised of consequences of further deficiencies, and issued discharge warning. 

910629:	NJP for violation of UCMJ, Article 86: Unauthorized absence from 0730, 1Jun91 to 2130, 13Jun91 (12 days/surrendered), violation of UCMJ, Article 87: Miss ship's movement on 5Jun91.
	Award: Forfeiture of $422 per month for 2 months, restriction and extra duty for 30 days, reduction to SA.  Reduction suspended for 6 months.   No indication of appeal in the record.

920618:	NJP for violation of UCMJ, Article 86 (3 specs): (1) Unauthorized absence 0730-0743, 22May92, (2) Unauthorized absence 0700-0730, 1Jun92, (3) Unauthorized absence 0700-2318, 3Jun92.
	Award: Forfeiture of $500 per month for 1 month, extra duty for 14 days.  Suspended for 6 months.  No indication of appeal in the record.

920723:	Vacate suspended forfeiture awarded at CO's NJP dated 18Jun92 due to continued misconduct.

920723:	NJP for violation of UCMJ, Article 86: Unauthorized absence from 0700, 13Jul92 to 0700, 21Jul92 (8 days/surrendered).
	Award: Forfeiture of $440 per month for 2 months, restriction and extra duty for 45 days, reduction to SA.  No indication of appeal in the record.

920724:	USS SEATTLE (AOE-3) notified applicant of intended recommendation for discharge under other than honorable conditions by reason of misconduct due to commission of a serious offense or civil conviction and misconduct due to a pattern of misconduct as evidenced by all service record entries.  Extracted from Commanding Officer's message dated 28Jul92.

920724:  	Applicant advised of his rights and having elected not to consult with counsel certified under UCMJ Article 27B, elected to waive all rights.  [Extracted from Commanding Officer's message dated 28Jul92.]

920728:	Commanding officer recommended discharge under other than honorable conditions by reason of misconduct due to commission of a serious offense or civil conviction and misconduct due to a pattern of misconduct.

920807:	BUPERS 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 920820 under other than honorable conditions for misconduct due to a pattern of misconduct (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 requested an upgrade in this discharge in wake of the events of Sept 11th and would like a second chance.  The Board carefully reviewed the applicant’s service record and noted that he was discharged after establishing a pattern of misconduct.  The Board found no impropriety or inequity in the discharge.  The Other Than Honorable discharge accurately describes the applicant’s service.  Relief is denied.

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 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.  Naval Military Personnel Manual, (NAVPERS 15560C, effective 15 Aug 91 until 
04 Mar 93), Article 3630600, SEPARATION OF ENLISTED PERSONNEL BY REASON OF MISCONDUCT – A PATTERN OF MISCONDUCT. 

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