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

ex-SR, USN
Docket No. ND03-01206

Applicant’s Request

The application for discharge review was received on 20030708.  The Applicant requests the characterization of service received at the time of discharge be changed to honorable.  The Applicant requests a documentary record 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 20040514.  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:  UNCHARACTERIZED (ENTRY LEVEL SEPARATION)/ERRONEOUS ENTRY - DRUG ABUSE, authority: NAVMILPERSMAN, Article 1910-130 (formerly 3620280).

PART I - APPLICANT’S ISSUES AND DOCUMENTATION

Issues, as stated

Applicant’s issues, as stated on the application:

1.  “I ‘m greatly asking for review of my records, and to have my discharge changed to honorable.  I would like to re-enlist and join the Navy.  Over the passed year I have went to college and managed to be very sucesssful.  I have never used drugs even if it says so on my discharge.  I am greatly sorry for my conduct and would love it more then anything in the world to serve my country in the U.S. Navy.”

Documentation

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

Copy of DD Form 214
Letter of Congratulation on Academic Achievement dated June 17, 2003

PART II - SUMMARY OF SERVICE

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

	Inactive: USNR (DEP)	010924 - 011210	COG
	Active:   USN			None

Period of Service Under Review:

Date of Enlistment:  011211		Date of Discharge:  020128

Length of Service (years, months, days):

	Active:    00  01  09
	Inactive:  None

Age at Entry:  23			Years Contracted:  4 (12 months extension)

Education Level:  11			AFQT:  49

Highest Rate:  SR

Final Enlisted Performance Evaluation Averages (number of marks):

Performance:  NMA*	Behavior:  NMA		OTA:  NMA

Military Decorations:  None

Unit/Campaign/Service Awards:  None

Days of Unauthorized Absence:  9

*No Marks Available for review. 

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

UNCHARACTERIZED (ENTRY LEVEL SEPARATION)/ERRONEOUS ENTRY - DRUG ABUSE, authority: NAVMILPERSMAN, Article 1910-130 (formerly 3620280).

Chronological Listing of Significant Service Events:

011221:	To UA.

011230:	From UA.

020102:	Recruit Mental Health Evaluation:  Since arrival at RTC SR is evaluated an overall poor by his RDC, had gone UA X 2, and has indicated refusal to train.  SR states he feels he will hurt himself, others, or will destroy property if the remains at boot camp.
	
	Diagnosis: 

Axis I: Alcohol Dependence, 309.90, ETPE
Cannabis Dependence, 304.30, ETPE
	Axis II: Borderline Personality Disorder with Antisocial Features, 301.83, EPTE.

020104:	Applicant notified of intended recommendation for discharge with a general (under honorable conditions) by reason of defective enlistment and induction due to erroneous enlistment as evidenced by alcohol dependence, cannabis dependence and a borderline personality disorder.

020104:	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.

020107:	Commanding Officer directed discharge with an uncharacterized service by reason of defective enlistment and induction due to erroneous enlistment as evidenced by alcohol dependence, cannabis dependence and a borderline personality disorder. 

020117:	NJP for violation of UCMJ, Article 86: UA on or about 011221 until on or about 011230 (9days/S).
	Award:  Forfeiture of $238.00 pay per month for 1 month(s), restriction to ship for 6 days.  No indication of appeal in the record.

PART III – RATIONALE FOR DECISION AND PERTINENT REGULATION/LAW

Discussion

The Applicant was discharged on 20020128 with an entry level separation (uncharacterized) for defective enlistment and induction due to erroneous enlistment - drug abuse (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:  By regulation, members discharged within the first 180 days of enlistment are given characterization of services as “Uncharacterized” unless there were unusual circumstances regarding performance of conduct, which would merit an “honorable” characterization.  The Applicant’s service record did not contain any unusual circumstances during his less than three months in the military to warrant a change of discharge to “honorable.”  There is credible evidence in the record that the Applicant used illegal drugs.  Normally when a sailor’s discharge involves drug dependence the characterization of service received is under other than honorable conditions.  Relief denied.  

Concerning a change in reenlistment code, the NDRB has no authority to change reenlistment codes or make recommendations to permit reenlistment, reentry, or reinstatement into the Naval Service or any other branch of the Armed Forces.  Neither a less than fully honorable discharge nor an unfavorable “RE” code is, in itself, a bar to reenlistment.  A request for waiver is normally done only during the processing of a formal application for enlistment through a recruiter.  

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.  The Naval Military Personnel Manual, (NAVPERS 15560C), Change 33, effective 13 Jun 2001 until 21 Aug 2002, Article 1910-130 (formerly 3620280), Separation by Reason of Defective Enlistments and Inductions - Erroneous Enlistment.

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