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

  ex-QMSN, USN
Docket No. ND04-00956

Applicant’s Request

The application for discharge review was received on 20040525.  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 review.  The Applicant listed the American Legion as the representative on the DD Form 293.

Decision

A documentary review was conducted in Washington, D.C. on 20050713.  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 1910-146, formerly Article 3630620.

PART I - APPLICANT’S ISSUES AND DOCUMENTATION

Issues, as stated

Applicant’s issues, as stated on the application:

1.  “In 2002 I was on the USS Bataan.  We had ship wide urinalyses.  I came up positive for THC.  My contention I was not offered treatment or legal counsel.  I was immediately discharged.  I do not use or abuse drugs.  This was a recreational activity at that time in my life.  I am willing to undergo a substance abuse evaluation to have my discharge upgraded from other than honorable to honorable.”

Additional issues submitted by Applicant’s representative (American Legion):

2.  “Equity Issue:  Based on our review of evidentiary record and on behalf of this former member, we request that the Board also consider provisions of SECNAVINST 5420.174D, Part V, Paragraph 503, as it pertains to post-service conduct, in assessing the merits of this application.
_______________________________________________________________________

In accordance with Title 32, CFR, Section 724.116 and SECNAVINST 5420.174D, Part I, Paragraph 1.20, The American Legion submits to the Naval Discharge Review Board (NDRB or Board) the above issue and following statement in supplement to the Applicant’s petition.

The SR is incomplete.  In particular, the discharge package is missing.  Review of the available records reflect that this former member had a previous HD, and earned the NDSM, SSDR (2), AFEM, GCM and BER (2).  He was awarded NJP in September 2002 for VUCMJ, Articles 112a, 134.  On 020930, he was discharged Under Other Than Honorable Conditions due to misconduct as authorized by NAVMILPERSMAN, Article 1910-146.

Essentially, as noted on DD Form 293, this Applicant is requesting that his discharge be upgraded because it is too harsh based on the fact that drug use was an isolated incident and because he was not offered treatment or counsel.  He has not submitted additional documentation for consideration.

The American Legion’s express purpose in providing this statement and any other submittals or evidence filed is to assist this Applicant in the clarification and resolution of the impropriety or inequity raised.  To that end, we rest assured that the NDRB’s final decision will reflect sound equitable principles consistent in law, regulation, policy and discretion as promulgated by Title 10, USC, Section 1553 and set forth in Title 32, CFR, Part 724 and SECNAVINST 5420.174D.

This case is now respectfully submitted for deliberation and disposition.”

Documentation

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

Applicant’ s DD Form 214
Letter from Applicant, dated February 15, 2005

PART II - SUMMARY OF SERVICE

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

	Inactive: USNR (DEP)	961223 - 970526	COG
	Active:   USN			970527 - 010523	HON

Period of Service Under Review:

Date of Enlistment:  010524		Date of Discharge:  020930

Length of Service (years, months, days):

	Active:    01  04  06
	Inactive:  None

Age at Entry:  22			Years Contracted:  6

Education Level:  12			AFQT:  89

Highest Rate:  QM2

Final Enlisted Performance Evaluation Averages (number of marks):

Performance:  3.67 (3)		Behavior:  2.33 (3)		OTA:  3.00

Military Decorations:  None

Unit/Campaign/Service Awards:  SSDR (2), AFEM, GCM, NDSM, NER (2)

Days of Unauthorized Absence:  None

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

UNDER OTHER THAN HONORABLE CONDITIONS/MISCONDUCT, authority:  NAVMILPERSMAN, Article 1910-146, formerly 3630620.

Chronological Listing of Significant Service Events:

010524:	Applicant reenlisted for 6 years.

Unknown:	NJP:  violation of UCMJ Article 112a:  wrongful use of a controlled substance; violation of UCMJ Article 134:  unlawful entry [extracted from Enlisted Evaluation Report and Counseling Record]. 

020930:	DD Form 214: Applicant discharged under other than honorable conditions by reason of misconduct due to drug abuse, authority:  NAVMILPERSMAN, Article 1910-146.

Applicant’s discharge package missing from service record.

PART III – RATIONALE FOR DECISION AND PERTINENT REGULATION/LAW

Discussion

The Applicant was discharged on 20020930 under other than honorable conditions for misconduct due to drug abuse (A).  After a thorough review of the available records, supporting documents, facts, and circumstances unique to this case, the Board found that the discharge was proper and equitable (B and C).  The presumption of regularity of governmental affairs was applied by the Board in this case in the absence of a complete discharge package (D).

Issue 1.  Normally, to permit relief, an impropriety or inequity must have existed during the period of enlistment in question.  No such impropriety or inequity is evident during the Applicant’s enlistment.  While the record is incomplete, the Applicant was awarded nonjudicial punishment for a violation of UCMJ Article 112a, wrongful use of a controlled substance, and Article 134, unlawful entry.  The Applicant was administratively processed for separation by reason of misconduct due to drug abuse because mandatory processing for separation is required for sailors who abuse illegal drugs.  Separation under these conditions generally results in characterization of service under other than honorable conditions.  The Applicant contends his discharge was improper because he was never offered drug rehabilitation treatment or legal counsel during his administrative separation proceedings.  The government enjoys a presumption of regularity in the conduct of its affairs.  The Applicant bears the burden of overcoming this presumption through the presentation of substantial and credible evidence to support his issue.  There is no evidence in the record, nor has the Applicant produced any evidence, to rebut the presumption of his illegal drug use or that his resulting separation from the Naval service was improper or inequitable.  Likewise, there is no evidence in the record, nor has the Applicant has produced any evidence to support the contention he was improperly denied drug rehabilitation treatment or access to legal counsel.  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 Naval service.  The NDRB is authorized to consider post-service factors in the recharacterization of a discharge to the extent such matters provide a basis for a more thorough understanding of the Applicant’s performance and conduct during the period of service under review.  Examples of documentation that should be provided to the Board include proof of educational pursuits, verifiable employment records, documentation of community service, credible evidence of a substance free lifestyle and certification of non-involvement with civil authorities.  As of this time, the Applicant has not provided any documentation for the Board to consider.  Relief 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.  The Naval Military Personnel Manual, (NAVPERS 15560C), Change 33, effective 16 Jul 2001 until 21 Aug 2002, Article 1910-146 (formerly 3630620), Separation by Reason of Misconduct - Drug Abuse.

B.  Secretary of the Navy Instruction 5420.174D of 22 December 2004, Naval Discharge Review Board (NDRB) Procedures and Standards, Part V, Para 502, Propriety.

C.  Secretary of the Navy Instruction 5420.174D of 22 December 2004, Naval Discharge Review Board (NDRB) Procedures and Standards, Part V, Para 503, Equity.

D.  Secretary of the Navy Instruction 5420.174D of 22 December 2004, Naval Discharge Review Board (NDRB) Procedures and Standards, Part II, AUTHORITY/POLICY FOR DEPARTMENTAL DISCHARGE REVIEW.

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 “http://Boards.law.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:

		Secretary of the Navy Council of Review Boards
		Attn:  Naval Discharge Review Board
		720 Kennon Street SE Rm 309
		Washington Navy Yard DC  20374-5023