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

 ex-SR, USNR
Docket No. ND02-01262

Applicant’s Request

The application for discharge review, received 020903, 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 designate a representative on the DD Form 293.

Decision

A documentary discharge review was conducted in Washington, D.C. on 030619.  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: GENERAL (UNDER HONORABLE CONDITIONS)/CONDITION, NOT A DISABILITY, authority: NAVMILPERSMAN, Article 3620200.

PART I - APPLICANT’S ISSUES AND DOCUMENTATION

Issues, as submitted

1.  I have not had any problems with the law for over two years after my discharge.  I am holding a good job.  When I was being discharged I was told that if I kept out of trouble that my discharge could/would be changed to an Honorable.

Documentation

Only the service and medical records were reviewed, as the Applicant did not provide additional documentation for the Board to consider.

PART II - SUMMARY OF SERVICE

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

	Active:   None
	Inactive: None

Period of Service Under Review:

Date of Enlistment:  940405		Date of Discharge:  960311

Length of Service (years, months, days):

	Active:    01  10  03
	Inactive:  00  01  04

Age at Entry:  23			Years Contracted:  8

Education Level:  12½		AFQT:  37

Highest Rate:  SA

Final Enlisted Performance Evaluation Averages (number of marks):

Performance:  NMF*	Behavior:  NMF		OTA:  NMF

Military Decorations:  None

Unit/Campaign/Service Awards:  NDSM

Days of Unauthorized Absence:  None

*No Marks Found in service record.

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

GENERAL (UNDER HONORABLE CONDITIONS)/CONDITION, NOT A DISABILITY, authority:  NAVMILPERSMAN, Article 3620200.

Chronological Listing of Significant Service Events:

960129:	NJP for violation of UCMJ, Article 92:  Failure to obey a lawful regulation.
	Award:  Forfeiture of $150 per month for 2 months, restriction and extra duty for 45 days, reduction to E-1.  No indication of appeal in the record.

960129:	Retention Warning:  Advised of deficiency (violation of UCMJ, Article 92 – failure to obey an lawful regulation), notified of corrective actions and assistance available, advised of consequences of further deficiencies, and issued discharge warning.

960216:	Medical Evaluation (Lafayette River Mental Health Clinic:  This 25 year old divorced white male with no previous psychiatric history, was evaluated at LRMHC for enuresis.
	MSE:  He was appropriately dressed in the uniform of the day.  He was not in acute distress.  His mood was euthymic with full affect.  His speech was normal. He denied hallucinations.  His though process was logical without evidence of obsession or delusions.  He was alert oriented. His memory was [sic] intact and his concentration was adequate.  His abstraction was intact.  He was estimated to be of average intelligent AFQT 37.  His insight and judgment was fair.  He denied suicidal/homicidal ideation, plan, or interest.
	DIAGNOSIS:  AXIS I:  Secondary Enuresis Nocturnal type.
		           AXIS II:  No Diagnosis
		          AXIS III:  Enuresis
	PLAN:  1) The evaluating psychologist advises administrative separation at the convenience of the Government for unsuitability on the bases of the enuresis diagnosis.  See MILPERSMAN 3620200.
	2) The member is not depressed, suicidal, or homicidal.
	3) He is not interested in treatment and wants to be discharged from the USN.  If retained, his condition is likely to present a burden to the command.
	4) Plan discussed with Pt who understands.
	5) No follow-up indicated or desired by Pt.
	6) POC Dr. J_, xxx-xxxx.

960306:	Applicant notified of intended recommendation for discharge general (under honorable conditions) by reason of convenience of the government on the basis of enuresis as evidenced by being diagnosed with enuresis which renders you unsuitable for naval service.

960306:  	Applicant advised of his rights and having elected not to consult with counsel certified under UCMJ Article 27B, elected to waive all rights.

990313:	Commanding Officer, USS THOMAS S GATES (CG 51), advised BUPERS of Applicant’s discharge with a general (under honorable conditions) by reason of convenience of the government on the basis of a physical or mental conditions not necessarily amounting to disability but affecting potential for continued active duty in the naval service as evidenced by diagnosis of enuresis.   

PART III – RATIONALE FOR DECISION AND PERTINENT REGULATION/LAW

Discussion

The Applicant was discharged on 960311 with a characterization of general (under honorable conditions) for convenience of the government due to a physical or mental condition, not a disability - enuresis. (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).

Issue 1:  In the Applicant’s case, the Board could discern no impropriety or inequity and therefore considered the Applicant’s discharge proper and equitable. A characterization of service of general (under honorable) conditions is warranted when the service member’s conduct constitutes a departure from that expected of a Sailor.  The record is void of any evidence that the Applicant was not responsible for his conduct or that he should not be held accountable for his actions.  The Applicant’s service record is marred by award of non-judicial punishment (NJP) for failure to obey a lawful regulation thus substantiating the characterization awarded.  An upgrade to honorable would be inappropriate.  Relief denied.  However, the NDRB did note an administrative error on the original DD Form 214.  The Applicant was not discharged for a personality disorder and the Board corrected it to change the narrative reason for separation.  The discharge shall be corrected to: GENERAL (UNDER HONORABLE CONDITIONS)/CONDITION, NOT A DISABILITY.  

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.   At this time, the Applicant did not provided any verifiable documentation of good character and conduct to mitigate his misconduct while on active duty.  Relief denied.

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.  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 “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