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

 ex-AA, USN 
Docket No. ND04-01136

Applicant’s Request

The application for discharge review was received on 20040708.  The Applicant requests the characterization of service received at the time of discharge be changed to general/under honorable conditions.  The Applicant requests a personal appearance hearing discharge review before the Board in the Washington National Capital Region.  The Applicant listed American Legion as the representative on the DD Form 293.

Decision

A personal appearance hearing discharge review was conducted in Washington, D.C. on 20050322.  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 3-2 that the character of the discharge shall not change.  The discharge shall remain: UNDER OTHER THAN HONORABLE CONDITIONS/Misconduct – Drug abuse (Use), authority: NAVMILPERSMAN, Article 3630620.

PART I - APPLICANT’S ISSUES AND DOCUMENTATION

Issues, as stated

The American Legion submitted the following issues, indicating they superceded the issues filed by the Applicant on DD Form 293:

“1. (Propriety Issue) While he does not contest his misconduct of record, this former member avers that he waived his due process because of deliberate misinformation given to him by his command.  On this basis, he opines that the Board’s relief is warranted.

2. (Equity Issue) This former member requests that the Board 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 in supplement to the Applicant’s petition. 

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:

Copies of DD Form 214 (2)
American Legion ltr to Applicant dtd 050211
Ltr from L_ M_ , undtd
Ltr from J_ C_, undtd
Ltr frm J_ D_ M_, Jr., dtd 050228

PART II - SUMMARY OF SERVICE

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

	Inactive: USNR (DEP)	890825 - 891004	COG
	Active:   None

Period of Service Under Review:

Date of Enlistment:  891005		Date of Discharge:  920605

Length of Service (years, months, days):

	Active:    02  08  01
	Inactive:  None

Age at Entry:  30			Years Contracted:  4 

Education Level:  12			AFQT:  56

Highest Rate:  AN

Final Enlisted Performance Evaluation Averages (number of marks):

Performance:  3.20 (3)		Behavior:  3.20 (3)		OTA:  3.53

Military Decorations:  None

Unit/Campaign/Service Awards:  SSDR, JMU, SASM(2), NDSM

Days of Unauthorized Absence:  None

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

UNDER OTHER THAN HONORABLE CONDITIONS/Misconduct – Drug abuse (Use), authority:  NAVMILPERSMAN, Article 3630620.

Chronological Listing of Significant Service Events:

891010:	Applicant briefed on Navy’s policy on drug and alcohol abuse.
Note: Applicant admitted to having used marijuana in the past on NAVCRUIT 1133/7.

891031:	Drug and Alcohol Abuse Report:  Drug abuse, ashore off duty, detected by a service directed urinalysis [THC].  Diagnosed not dependent.  Retention recommended.  Incident date:  891031.  Written warning administered.

910405:	CHNAVPERS directed the retention of Applicant despite the Applicant’s failure to disclose preservice arrests on 810910 and 890606.  CHNAVPERS directed the Applicant’s retention warning. 

920504:	NAVDRUGLAB, Jacksonville, FL, reported Applicant’s urine sample, received 920424, tested positive for [THC].

920506:	NJP for violation of UCMJ, Article 112a: Wrongful use of marijuana on 920424.
Award:  Forfeiture of $440.24 per month for 2 months, restriction and extra duty for 45 days, reduction to E-2.  No indication of appeal in the record.

920506:	Applicant notified of intended recommendation for discharge by reason of misconduct due to drug abuse as evidenced by NJP of 920506 with the least favorable character of service as under other than honorable conditions.

920506:	Applicant advised of rights and having elected not to consult with counsel certified under UCMJ Article 27B, elected to waive all rights.

920507:	Medical evaluation for drug abuse found the Applicant to be a drug abuser, not drug dependent. 
 
920508:	Commanding Officer recommended discharge under other than honorable conditions by reason of misconduct due to drug abuse (use). 

920528:	BUPERS directed the Applicant's discharge under other than honorable conditions by reason of misconduct due to drug abuse (use).

021029:	NDRB documentary record review Docket Number ND02-00442 conducted.  Determination:  discharge proper and equitable; relief not warranted.

PART III – RATIONALE FOR DECISION AND PERTINENT REGULATION/LAW

Discussion

The Applicant was discharged on 19920605 under other than honorable conditions for misconduct due to 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.  In the Applicant’s case, the Board could discern no impropriety or inequity and therefore considered the Applicant’s discharge proper and equitable.  Specifically, Applicant alleged that he waived his due process rights because a member of his command misinformed him.  The record, however, contains no evidence of any wrongdoing by anyone in the discharge process and the Applicant provided no documentation to the contrary.  The Board presumes regularity in the conduct of governmental affairs in the absence of persuasive evidence to the contrary.  As such, this Board presumed that Applicant’s discharge was regular in all respects.  Relief denied.  

Issue 2.  Outstanding post-service conduct, 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, can be considered.  In determining whether a case merits a change based on post-service conduct, the NDRB considers the length of time since discharge, the Applicant's record of community service, employment, conduct and family relationships.  In reviewing the Applicant’s post service, the Board was impressed with the efforts he has begun to make in attempting to recoup his reputation, which has been sullied by his misconduct in the Navy.  However, after a complete review of the entire record, including the evidence submitted by the Applicant, the Board determined that his discharge was appropriate and that his evidence of post-service conduct was found not to mitigate the conduct for which he was discharged.  Relief denied.

The following if provided for the edification of the Applicant.  The NDRB has no authority to provided additional review of this case since Applicant’s discharge  The Applicant may, however, petition the Board for Correction of Naval Records (BCNR), 2 Navy Annex, Washington, DC 20370-5100, concerning a change in the characterization of naval service, if he desires further review of his case.

Pertinent Regulation/Law (at time of discharge)

A.  Navy Military Personnel Manual, (NAVPERS 15560C), effective 15 Aug 91 until 04 Mar 93, Article 3630620, SEPARATION OF ENLISTED MEMBERS BY REASON OF MISCONDUCT DUE TO DRUG ABUSE.

B.  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.

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

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

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