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

ex-YN3, USN
Docket No. ND03-01271

Applicant’s Request

The application for discharge review was received on 20030723.  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 discharge review was conducted in Washington, D.C. on 20040526.  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: GENERAL (UNDER HONORABLE CONDITIONS)/MISCONDUCT, authority: NAVMILPERSMAN, Article 1910 - 142 (formerly 3630605).

PART I - APPLICANT’S ISSUES AND DOCUMENTATION

Issues, as stated

Applicant’s issues, as stated on the application:

1.  “To Whom It May Concern:

I am writing to appeal my Administrative Separation (Under Other than Honorable Conditions) from the United States Navy on 15 December 1998.

Commander R_ B_ (Commanding Officer Training Squadron TWENTY-ONE. Naval Air Station Kingsville Texas) administered the separation.  Commander S_ S_ (Executive Officer), LT. G_ H_ (Legal Officer) and ABF2 K. K_ (Acting Squadron Chief and Leading Petty Officer).  I was separated due to a $380.00 in insufficient checks to the Navy Exchange.

I had been having trouble managing my finances due to some unexpected occurrences in my life.  In the first part of November 1998 Commander Byrd became aware of this problem and told me that I had two weeks to fix the problem or I would have to go to Captains Mast.  I was unable to get the $380.00 to the Navy Exchange in time.  I appealed to him to let me stay at the squadron since I was six weeks of my scheduled E.A.O.S and had served almost my entire enlistment.  I planned to go to college under the Montgomery GI Bill and had contributed $1,200.00 toward it during my enlistment.

I paid my debt to the Navy Exchange, but when I returned from Thanksgiving Leave.  I was told that I would be brought to Captains Mast.  At Mast I was told that I was to be separated from the Navy due to this problem.  I pleaded with them to please let me stay until Terminal Leave started (12/18/98). I did this for my G I Bill so I could go to school. Commander B_ said that “he had no help going to school, that he had to work his way through school and I could do it to.”

I tried to be a good Sailor and a good citizen to my community while in Kingsville.  I participated in various charity programs such as Adopt an Angel (for underprivileged children) during Christmas.  I spent time as an Asst. Coach for a Pop Warner football team (see attached award) and was given a Letter Of Appreciation for a Weapons Detachment.

I realize what I did was wrong.  I have been out of the Navy for almost five years and I have managed to become a good citizen and a hard worker.  I have donated time and money to various charities, and have since gotten my finances in order.  I am only missing one thing from my life and that is the chance to go to school.  I beg the members of the board to vote in my favor, give me a second chance in life and allow me the chance to go to school.

Sincerely.

A_ G_ H_ (Applicant)
SSN (social security number deleted)”

Documentation

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

DD Form 149, dated February 16, 2001
Letter of Commendation for December 13-18 1996
Letter of appreciation, dated February 6, 1998

PART II - SUMMARY OF SERVICE

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

	Inactive: USNR (DEP)	940829 - 950104	COG
	Active:   None

Period of Service Under Review:

Date of Enlistment:  950105		Date of Discharge:  981211

Length of Service (years, months, days):

	Active:    03  11  07
	Inactive:  None

Age at Entry:  20			Years Contracted:  4

Education Level:  10			AFQT:  61

Highest Rate:  YN3

Final Enlisted Performance Evaluation Averages (number of marks):

Performance:  NMF* 	Behavior:  NMF		OTA:  NMF

Military Decorations:  None

Unit/Campaign/Service Awards:  NDSM, Letter of Appreciation, Certificate of Commendation

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)/MISCONDUCT, authority:  NAVMILPERSMAN, Article 1910-142 (formerly 3630605).

Chronological Listing of Significant Service Events:

UNDATED:	Violation of UCMJ, Article 107: False official statement, violation of UCMJ, Article 123A: Making drawing or uttering check, draft, or order without sufficient funds.  No further information found in service record.  [Extracted from Commanding Officer’s letter dated 981204.]

990201:	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 submit a statement.
	
981204:	Commanding Officer directed discharge general (under 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 19981211 with a general (under 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:  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 Applicant’s service record is marred by award of nonjudicial punishment (NJP) for violating the UCMJ, Articles 107 and 123a, thus substantiating the misconduct.  It should be noted the Applicant received a “General (Under Honorable Conditions” and not “Under Other Than Honorable Conditions” as he stated in his issue.  The Applicant’s summary of service clearly reflects the Applicant’s disobedience of the orders and directives that regulate good order and discipline in the naval service, and demonstrated he was unsuitable for further service. An upgrade to honorable 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 18, effective 
12 Dec 97 until 29 March 2000, Article 1910-142  [formerly 3630605]. SEPARATION 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