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

 
ex-RMSN, USN
Docket No. ND03-01078

Applicant’s Request

The application for discharge review was received on 20030605.  The Applicant requests the characterization of service received at the time of discharge be changed to honorable.  The Applicant requests a documentary record discharge review.  The Applicant did not list any representative on the DD Form 293.

Decision

A documentary review was conducted in Washington, D.C. on 20040504.  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/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 J_ O_ M_ of my own free will and accord respectfully request that my discharge be reviewed to be upgraded to honorable because during my pre-trial my legal representation was inadequate and bias.

2.  I was discharge because I refused to attend mariage counseling with my now-ex-wife due to her infidelity and our apparent cultural difference.  I would have attended, but only with an assurance of a divorce in which she refused to give me at that time.

3.  I proudly served within the millitary during the gulf war.  Adherd to the zero policy law concerning drugs and alcohol.   And was Honorablely discharged 8-20-91 in good standing and faithful to my country.

4.  During my last 6 months leading up to my discharge I was psychologically impaired due to a stock market marriage wich was doomed to plummet downward leaving me a dis-honored veteran, who is now a pillar within my community seeking and requesting honorable status.”

Applicant marked the box "I HAVE LISTED ADDITIONAL ISSUES AS AN ATTACHMENT TO THIS APPLICATION."  None were found.

Documentation

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

Character reference, dated May 16, 2003 (3 copies)

PART II - SUMMARY OF SERVICE

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

	Inactive: USNR (DEP)	870825 - 880306	COG
	Active:   USN			880307 - 910819	HON

Period of Service Under Review:

Date of Enlistment:  910820		Date of Discharge:  960610

Length of Service (years, months, days):

	Active:    04  09  21
	Inactive:  None

Age at Entry:  24			Years Contracted:  6

Education Level:  12			AFQT:  37

Highest Rate:  RM3

Final Enlisted Performance Evaluation Averages (number of marks):

Performance:  3.77 (7)	Behavior:  3.71 (7)		OTA:  3.69

Military Decorations:  None

Unit/Campaign/Service Awards:  NDSM, SASM (2), SSDR (3), NER, KLM, MUC (2)

Days of Unauthorized Absence:  1

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

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

Chronological Listing of Significant Service Events:

930629:	NJP for violation of UCMJ, Article 86: Unauthorized absence from unit.
	Award: Restriction for 14 days.  No indication of appeal in the record.  [Extracted from Commanding Officer’s message dated 960520.]

960501:	NJP for violation of UCMJ, Article 86: Unauthorized absence from 0800, 960415 to 0700, 960417 (1 day/surrendered).
	Award: Restriction for 14 days, extra duty for 30 days, reduction to RMSN.  Restriction suspended for 6 months.  No indication of appeal in the record.

960506:	Psychiatric evaluation: Primary diagnosis: Personality disorder, not otherwise specified with dependent and antisocial features.

960507:	Applicant notified of intended recommendation for discharge under other than honorable conditions by reason of personality disorder and misconduct due to the commission of a serious offense as evidenced by assault of your spouse, Article 128 offense committed during your current enlistment.

960508:	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 and to submit a statement.

960520:	Commanding Officer recommended discharge under other than honorable conditions by reason of personality disorder and misconduct due to the commission of a serious offense.

960530:	BUPERS directed the Applicant's discharge under other than honorable conditions by reason of misconduct due to the commission of a serious offense.

PART III – RATIONALE FOR DECISION AND PERTINENT REGULATION/LAW

Discussion

The Applicant was discharged on 19960610 under other than honorable conditions for misconduct due to commission of a serious offense (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.  The Applicant states that his discharge be upgraded because his legal representation was inadequate and biased.  The Applicant submitted no evidence of this discrepancy and there is no evidence of impropriety or inequity as a matter of record.  Relief denied.

Issue 2.   The record shows the Applicant was discharged for Commission of a Serious Offense as evidenced by assault of spouse.  Relief denied.

Issue 3.  The Board applauds the Applicant’s honorable discharge on 19910820.  However, relief on this basis is not appropriate.  Relief denied

Issue 4.  The Applicant contends that his problems in the Navy can be attributed to his being "psychologically impaired".  While he may feel that his family problem was the underlying cause of his misconduct, the record clearly reflects his willful misconduct and demonstrated he was unfit for further service.  The evidence of record did not show that the Applicant was either not responsible for his conduct or that he should not be held accountable for his actions.  Relief on this basis is 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 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 – COMMISSION OF A SERIOUS OFFENSE.

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