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

ex-PRAN, USN 
Docket No. ND04-00804

Applicant’s Request

The application for discharge review was received on 20040421.  The Applicant requests the Narrative Reason for Separation be changed to Convenience of the Government.  The Applicant requests a documentary record review.  The Applicant did not list any representative on the DD Form 293.  

Decision

A documentary review was conducted in Washington, D.C. on 20041122.  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 reason for the discharge shall not change.  The discharge shall remain:  HONORABLE/WEIGHT CONTROL FAILURE, authority: NAVMILPERSMAN, Article 3620260.

PART I - APPLICANT’S ISSUES AND DOCUMENTATION

Issues, as stated

Applicant’s issues, as stated on the application:

1.  “Reenlistment code at date of discharge was classified as other.  Please change to convenience of the government.”

Documentation

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

Copy of DD Form 214
Service Record Documents (2 pages)
Letter and assorted documents from Senator B_ N_ C_, dated April 5, 2004 (4 pages)

PART II - SUMMARY OF SERVICE

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

	Inactive: USNR (DEP)	920817 - 920818	COG
	Active:   None

Period of Service Under Review:

Date of Enlistment:  920819		Date of Discharge:  950526

Length of Service (years, months, days):

	Active:    02  09  08
	Inactive:  None

Age at Entry:  23			Years Contracted:  4

Education Level:  13			AFQT:  58

Highest Rate:  PRAN

Final Enlisted Performance Evaluation Averages (number of marks):

Performance:  3.8 (3)	Behavior:  4.0 (3)		OTA:  3.67

Military Decorations:  None

Unit/Campaign/Service Awards:  NDSM

Days of Unauthorized Absence:  None

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

HONORABLE/WEIGHT CONTROL FAILURE, authority:  NAVMILPERSMAN, Article 3620260.

Chronological Listing of Significant Service Events:

950426:	Counseling:  Applicant advised that she failed the April 1995 physical readiness test by failing the body fat standard and placed on the command’s sponsored physical conditioning program.  Sources of assistance included.

950502:	Applicant notified of intended recommendation for discharge with a least favorable characterization of general (under honorable conditions) by reason of weight control failure as evidenced by failure to achieve prescribed physical readiness standards for three cycles within a four year period.

950503:	Applicant advised of rights and elected to waive all rights except the right to obtain copies of the documents used to support the basis for the separation.

950621:	Commanding Officer directed the Applicant's discharge with an honorable discharge on 950526 by reason of weight control failure due to not meeting the prescribed physical readiness standards, as evidenced by physical readiness test as evidenced by physical readiness test results for the last three consecutive official physical readiness test.

PART III – RATIONALE FOR DECISION AND PERTINENT REGULATION/LAW

Discussion

The Applicant was discharged on 19950526 with an honorable discharge for weight control failure or physical standards (failed to meet the minimum prescribed physical readiness (PRT) standards for three consecutive physical readiness tests) (A and B).  The Board presumed regularity in the conduct of governmental affairs (C).  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 (D and E).

Issue 1:  The Applicant asks this Board for a change in the Narrative Reason for Separation to convenience of the government.  The NDRB, under its responsibility to examine the propriety and equity of a discharge, will change the reason for discharge if such a change is warranted.  The service record clearly documents the successive PRT failures that resulted in the Applicant’s discharge.  No other Narrative Reason for Separation could more clearly describe why the applicant was discharged.  To change the Narrative Reason for Separation would be inappropriate.

Since the NDRB has no jurisdiction over reenlistment, reentry, or reinstatement into the Navy, Marine Corps, or any other of the Armed Forces, NDRB is not authorized to change a reenlistment code.  An unfavorable “RE” code is, in itself, not a bar to reenlistment.  A request for a waiver can be submitted during the processing of a formal application for reenlistment through a recruiter.  Only the Board for Correction of Naval Records (BCNR) can make changes to reenlistment codes.

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.  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 3620260, SEPARATION OF ENLISTED PERSONNEL BY REASON OF WEIGHT CONTROL FAILURE.

B.  The Naval Military Personnel Manual, (NAVPERS 15560C), Change 12, effective 21 Dec 94 until 02 Oct 96, Article 3420440, HEALTH AND PHYSICAL READINESS PROGRAM.

C.  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.  

D.  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.

E.  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