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

 ex-SA, USN
Docket No. ND02-00769

Applicant’s Request

The application for discharge review, received 020509, 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 030131.  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 HONORABLE CONDITIONS (GENERAL)/Other physical/mental conditions - personality disorder, authority: NAVMILPERSMAN, Article 3620200.

PART I - APPLICANT’S ISSUES AND DOCUMENTATION

Issues, as submitted

1.  I am requesting to have my status of character of service to be changed from Honorable Conditions (General) to honorable conditions.  The reason being I have continued my college education have become state certified as an Emergency Medical Technician, as well as a state certified fire fighter. I am seeking occupation in the San Antonio Fire Dept, the present status of my General Discharge does not allow me to take the San Antonio Fire Department written exam.  They stated to me that they would only accept honorable discharge according to their hiring policies.  I have only till the end of May to submit a new DD 214, indicating my change to honorable discharge.  I would hope you consider my request for if denied it could hinder my future as a fire fighter in any city I hope to work for.  Please do not make my present certifications seem uses by now allowing an opportunity to better my life with a good profession as fire fighting.  Thank you for your time, consideration.

Note  I have only till the end of May 2002 to submit new DD 214 with changes.

Documentation

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

Applicant's DD Form 214

PART II - SUMMARY OF SERVICE

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

	Inactive: USNR (DEP)	910510 - 910515	COG
	Active:   None

Period of Service Under Review:

Date of Enlistment:  910516		Date of Discharge:  911008

Length of Service (years, months, days):

	Active:    00  04  23
	Inactive:  None

Age at Entry:  20			Years Contracted:  4

Education Level:  12			AFQT:  51

Highest Rate:  SA

Final Enlisted Performance Evaluation Averages (number of marks):

Performance:  1.00 (1)	Behavior:  1.00 (1)		OTA:  1.00

Military Decorations:  None

Unit/Campaign/Service Awards:  NDSM

Days of Unauthorized Absence:  None

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

UNDER HONORABLE CONDITIONS (GENERAL)/Other physical/mental conditions - personality disorder, authority:  NAVMILPERSMAN, Article 3620200.

Chronological Listing of Significant Service Events:

910917:	Psychiatry Consultation Sheet: Applicant evaluated.  Imp: Adjust disorder, dependent personality disorder.  Recommendation: Unable to adjust, entry level separation.  He is poorly put together, please expedite admin proceedings.

910930:	Mental Health Clinic, Naval Hospital, Oakland, CA:  Superficial cuts on both hands.  Last night hit and broke mirror.  Imp: Same.  Recommendation: Same as before Positive stress coping training.

911002:	Applicant admitted to Letterman Army Hospital Psychiatric Unit for suicidal ideation.  Diagnosis:  Suicidal Ideation; Dependent Personality Disorder.

911007	Applicant discharged from Letterman Army Hospital Psychiatric Unit.

911007:	Mental Health Clinic, Naval Hospital, Oakland, CA: Imp: Severe dependant personality disorder.  Recommendation: Fit but unsuitable for duty.  Expeditious discharge was already recommended. 

911008:	DD Form 214:  Applicant discharged under honorable conditions (general) by reason of convenience of the government on the basis of a personality disorder in accordance with NAVMILPERSMAN, Article 3620200.

Discharge package is missing from service record.  Applicant’s poor performance marks support General vice ELS separation characterization.

PART III – RATIONALE FOR DECISION AND PERTINENT REGULATION/LAW

Discussion

The Applicant was discharged on 911008 with a discharge characterization of under honorable conditions (general) for convenience of the government on the basis of a diagnosed personality disorder of such severity as to render the Applicant incapable of serving adequately in the naval service. (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).

Issue 1:  The Applicant requests his discharge characterization be changed to honorable so he can be eligible for employment as a professional fire fighter.  The Board has no authority to upgrade a discharge for the sole purpose of enhancing employment opportunities as requested by the Applicant.  The Board’s charter limits its review to a determination on the propriety and equity of the discharge.  In the Applicant’s case the Board could discern no impropriety or inequity and therefore considered the Applicant’s discharge was proper and equitable.  The Applicant warranted a general discharge based upon his adverse performance marks.  Relief denied.

The following is provided for the Applicant’s information:  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.  However, the NDRB is authorized to consider outstanding post-service factors in the recharacterization of a discharge, 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.  Verifiable proof of any post-service accomplishments must be provided in order for the Applicant to claim post-service conduct and behavior as a reason to upgrade a less than honorable discharge.  Evidence of continuing educational pursuits, a positive employment record, documentation of community service and certification of non-involvement with civil authorities are examples of verifiable documents that should be provided to receive consideration for relief, based on post-service conduct.  

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.  The Applicant can provide additional documentation to support any claims of post-service accomplishments at that time.  Representation at a personal appearance hearing is recommended but not required.  

Pertinent Regulation/Law (at time of discharge)

A.  Naval Military Personnel Manual, (NAVPERS 15560C), effective 15 Aug 1991 until 04 Mar 1993, Article 3620200, SEPARATION OF ENLISTED PERSONNEL FOR CONVENIENCE OF THE GOVERNMENT.

B.  Naval Military Personnel Manual, (NAVPERS 15560C), effective 15 Aug 1991 until 04 Mar 1993, Article 3620225, SEPARATION OF ENLISTED PERSONNEL AT THE CONVENIENCE OF THE GOVERNMENT - BASIS OF PERSONALITY DISORDER.

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 “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