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

ex-ENFA, USN
Docket No. ND03-00803

Applicant’s Request

The application for discharge review was received on 20030403.  The Applicant requests the characterization of service received at the time of discharge be changed to general/under honorable conditions.  The Applicant requests 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 20040408.  After a thorough review of the records, supporting documents, facts, and circumstances unique to this case, no impropriety or inequity in the characterization of the Applicant’s service was discovered by the NDRB.  The Board’s vote was unanimous that the character of the discharge shall not change.  The discharge shall remain: UNDER OTHER THAN HONORABLE CONDITIONS/PATTERN OF MISCONDUCT, authority: NAVMILPERSMAN, Article 3630600.

PART I - APPLICANT’S ISSUES AND DOCUMENTATION

Issues, as stated

Applicant’s issues, as stated on the application:

1.  “I think that my discharge should be upgraded due to me serving 3 years and 9 months, which is close to the full 4 year term I was committed to.”

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):

	Inactive: USNR (DEP)	920923 - 921020	COG
	Active:   None

Period of Service Under Review:

Date of Enlistment:  921021		Date of Discharge:  960625

Length of Service (years, months, days):

	Active:    03  08  05
	Inactive:  None

Age at Entry:  20			Years Contracted:  4

Education Level:  10 GED		AFQT:  00

Highest Rate:  EN3

Final Enlisted Performance Evaluation Averages (number of marks):

Performance:  3.15 (4)	Behavior:  2.85 (4)		OTA:  3.17

Military Decorations:  None

Unit/Campaign/Service Awards:  NDSM, SSDR

Days of Unauthorized Absence:  1

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

UNDER OTHER THAN HONORABLE CONDITIONS/PATTERN OF MISCONDUCT, authority:  NAVMILPERSMAN, Article 3630600.

Chronological Listing of Significant Service Events:

940708:	Applicant to unauthorized absence 0715, 940708.

940709:	Applicant from unauthorized absence 1800, 940709 (1 day/surrendered).

940715:	NJP for violation of UCMJ, Article 86: Absent from unit on 940708.
	Award: Forfeiture of $150 per month for 2 months, restriction and extra duty for 8 days.  No indication of appeal in the record.

960218:	NJP for violation of UCMJ, Article 86: Absent from unit on 951225-951226.
	Award: Forfeiture of $300 per month for 1 month, restriction and extra duty for 30 days, reduction to ENFN.  No indication of appeal in the record.

960220:	Retention Warning from USS CARL VINSON (CVN-70: Advised of deficiency (Absence from unit. As evidenced by your commanding officer’s nonjudicial punishment imposed on 960218.), notified of corrective actions and assistance available, advised of consequences of further deficiencies, and issued discharge warning. 

960325:	NJP for violation of UCMJ, Article 86 (3 specs): (1) Fail to go to appointed place of duty on 1100, 960219, to wit: restricted man’s muster, (2) Fail to go to appointed place of duty on 0630, 960223, to wit: restricted man’s muster, (3) Fail to go to appointed place of duty on 0630, 960323, to wit: restricted man’ muster.
	Award: Confinement on bread and water for 3 days.  No indication of appeal in the record.

960507:	NJP for violation of UCMJ, Article 86: Absent himself from unit on 960404.
	Award: Forfeiture of $150 per month for 1 month, restriction and extra duty for 30 days, reduction to ENFA.  No indication of appeal in the record.

960510:	USS CARL VINSON (CVN 70) notified Applicant of intended recommendation for discharge under other than honorable conditions by reason of misconduct due to a pattern of misconduct as evidenced by his 4 nonjudicial punishments imposed on 940715, 960218, 960325 and 960507 during his current enlistment.

960510:	Applicant advised of 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.

960520:	Commanding Officer recommended discharge under other than honorable conditions by reason of misconduct due to a pattern of misconduct.

960624:	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 19960625 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 NDRB, under its responsibility to examine the propriety and equity of an applicant's discharge, will change the characterization of discharge if such a change is warranted.  The summary of service clearly documents the pattern of misconduct for which the applicant was discharged.  The Applicant’s service record is marred by award of nonjudicial punishment (NJP) on four separate occasions thus substantiating the misconduct.  No other character of separation could more clearly describe why the applicant was discharged.  To change the character of separation would be inappropriate.  Relief denied.

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 has not provided sufficient verifiable documentation of good character and conduct to mitigate his misconduct while on active duty.  

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 documentation to support any claims of post-service accomplishments or any other evidence related to his discharge 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, Change 9, effective 
22 Jul 94 until 02 Oct 96), 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 “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