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

 ex-MMFN, USN
Docket No. ND02-00268

Applicant’s Request

The application for discharge review, received 020114, 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 020815.  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/Homosexuality - engaged in, attempted to engage in, or solicited another to engage in a homosexual act or acts, authority:  MILPERSMAN, Article 3630400.

PART I - APPLICANT’S ISSUES AND DOCUMENTATION

Issues, as submitted

Prior to the documentary discharge review, the applicant introduced no issues as block 8 on the DD Form 293 is blank. 

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)	840712 - 850709	COG

Period of Service Under Review:

Date of Enlistment:  850710		Date of Discharge:  881116

Length of Service (years, months, days):

	Active:    03  04  07
	Inactive:  None

Age at Entry:  18			Years Contracted:  4

Education Level:  12			AFQT:  88

Highest Rate:  MM3

Final Enlisted Performance Evaluation Averages (number of marks):

Performance:  3.72 (5)	Behavior:  3.27 (6)		OTA:  3.40

Military Decorations:  None

Unit/Campaign/Service Awards:  MUC, BER

Days of Unauthorized Absence:  None

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

UNDER OTHER THAN HONORABLE CONDITIONS/Homosexuality - engaged in, attempted to engage in, or solicited another to engage in a homosexual act or acts, authority:  MILPERSMAN, Article 3630400.

Chronological Listing of Significant Service Events:

881017:	NJP for violation of UCMJ, Article 134: Wrongfully commit an indecent act.
	Award: Forfeiture of $450.00 per month for 1 month, restriction for 14 days, reduction to MMFN.  No indication in the record of appeal.  

881017:	Applicant’s Voluntary Statement made to a special agent, concerning his homosexuality.

881020:	Applicant notified of intended recommendation for discharge by reason of homosexuality as evidenced by his statement that he engaged in homosexual acts and misconduct due to commission of a serious offense.  Applicant advised, that if separation is approved, the characterization of his service may be under other than honorable conditions.

881020:	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.

881027:	Commanding Officer recommended discharge with under other than honorable conditions by reason of homosexuality as evidenced by his statement that he had engaged in homosexual acts and misconduct due to commission of a serious offense.

881102:	CNMPC directed the applicant's discharge with an under other than honorable condition by reason of homosexual conduct.

PART III – RATIONALE FOR DECISION AND PERTINENT REGULATION/LAW

Discussion

The Applicant was discharged on 881116 with a characterization of under other than honorable conditions by reason of homosexuality - engaged in, attempted to engage in, or solicited another to engage in a homosexual act or acts (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 introduced no decisional issues for consideration by the Board.  He requested an upgrade of his discharge to honorable in block #3 of DD Form 293.

The Board considered the equity and propriety within the specific circumstances of the Applicant’s case.  There is no evidence in the official record, nor did the Applicant provide any certifiable documentation that there was any inequity or impropriety in his discharge.  Relief not warranted.

The Applicant’s discharge characterization accurately reflects his service to his country.  The discharge was proper and equitable.  Normally, to permit relief, an error or injustice must have existed during the period of enlistment in question.  No such error or injustice occurred during the Applicant’s enlistment.  Additionally, 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 civilian life, subsequent to leaving the service.  Relief not warranted.

The Applicant remains eligible for a personal appearance hearing, provided an application is received, at the NDRB, within 15 years from the date of discharge.  Representation at a personal appearance hearing is recommended but not required.

Pertinent Regulation/Law (at time of discharge)

A.  Naval Military Personnel Manual, (NAVPERS 15560A), 15 June 1987 until 
14 Aug 91, Article 3630400, SEPARATION OF ENLISTED PERSONNEL BY REASON OF HOMOSEXUALITY. 

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