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

 ex-SA, USN
Docket No. ND04-01381

Applicant’s Request

The application for discharge review was received on 20040901.  The Applicant requests the characterization of service received at the time of discharge be changed to honorable.  The Applicant requests a personal appearance discharge review before a traveling panel closest to Philadelphia, PA.  The Applicant did not list any representative on the DD Form 293.  In the acknowledgement letter, the Applicant was informed that the Naval Discharge Review Board (NDRB) does not travel; all hearings are held in the Washington, D.C. area.  The NDRB also advised that the board first conducts a documentary review prior to any personal appearance hearing.

Decision

A documentary discharge review was conducted in Washington, D.C. on 20041222.  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.  “Since I was discharged I felt it was wrong.  I have never been in trouble with the law and since my discharge I have been a corrections officer, and will be attending school for a degree in criminal justice.  I would like an Honorable to further my career for State Police or US Marshals I was discharged due to drugs.  I submitted a urine sample and a property search.  I had nothing on my property or me and my urine was clean.  A guy I hung around was into that and an informant put my name into the command.  I do know what type of drugs there are and what they do and look like.  I told the informant that and he had me on tape.  I never used nor sold anything to him, and I was guilty of my knowledge.”

Documentation

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

None

PART II - SUMMARY OF SERVICE

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

	Inactive: USNR (DEP)	000331 - 000503	COG
	Active:   None

Period of Service Under Review:

Date of Enlistment:  000504		Date of Discharge:  020612

Length of Service (years, months, days):

	Active:    02  01  09
	Inactive:  None

Age at Entry:  21			Years Contracted:  4

Education Level:  12			AFQT:  43

Highest Rate:  SN

Final Enlisted Performance Evaluation Averages (number of marks):

Performance:  4.00 (1)	Behavior:  2.00 (1)		OTA:  3.17

Military Decorations:  None

Unit/Campaign/Service Awards:  NDSM, NER, OSR, SSDR

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:

010322:	NJP for violation of UCMJ, Article 86: Unauthorized absence.
	Award: Forfeiture of $300 per month for 1 month, restriction and extra duty for 30 days (Suspended for 4 months).  No indication of appeal in the record.  

010404:	Retention Warning: No further information found in service record.  

011129:	NJP for violation of UCMJ, Article 85: Desertion, violation of UCMJ, Article 87: Missing ship’s movement, violation of UCMJ, Article 92: Failure to obey order.
	Award: Forfeiture of ½ month’s pay per month for 2 months, restriction and extra duty for 45 days, reduction to E-2 (Suspended for 6 months).  No indication of appeal in the record.  

020502:	NJP for violation of UCMJ, Article 112A: Wrongful use, possession, purchasing with the intent for distribution of a controlled substance.
	Award: Forfeiture of $650 per month for 2 months, restriction and extra duty for 45 days, reduction to E-2.  No indication of appeal in the record.

020524:	Applicant notified of intended recommendation for discharge with a least favorable characterization of under other than honorable conditions by reason of misconduct due to drug abuse and misconduct due to a pattern of misconduct.

020524:	Applicant advised of rights and having elected not to consult with counsel certified under UCMJ Article 27(b), elected to waive all rights except the right to obtain copies of the documents used to support the basis for the separation.

020525:	Commanding Officer recommended discharge under other than honorable conditions by reason of misconduct due to drug abuse and misconduct due to a pattern of misconduct.  Commanding Officer’s comments (verbatim):  Drug abuse cannot be tolerated.  Wire tapped evidence from NCIS was presented at NJP that clearly linked SR M_ (Applicant) to the use and sale of drugs.  His actions are totally unacceptable and detrimental to the command.  He is unwilling to adhere to the rules and regulations of this command and the U.S. Navy, and has not carried himself in a manner conducive to good order and discipline.  I strongly recommend that SR M_ (Applicant) be separated from the naval service by misconduct due to drug abuse and misconduct due to pattern of misconduct.  It is my desire that his characterization of service be under other than honorable.

020529:	COMFAIRMED, Naples, Italy directed the Applicant's discharge under other than honorable conditions by reason of misconduct due to drug abuse.

PART III – RATIONALE FOR DECISION AND PERTINENT REGULATION/LAW

Discussion

The Applicant was discharged on 20020612 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:  Normally, to permit relief, a error or inequity must have existed during the period of enlistment in question.  No such error or inequity is evident during the Applicant’s enlistment.  Relief not warranted.

A characterization of service of under other than honorable conditions is warranted when the member's conduct constitutes a significant departure from that expected of a sailor.  
The Applicant’s service was marred by award of nonjudicial punishment (NJP) on three occasions for violations of Articles 85, 86, 87, and 112a of the UCMJ.  There is credible evidence in the record, presented by NCIS at NJP, that clearly linked the Applicant to the use and sale of drugs.  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 evidence of record does not demonstrate that the Applicant was not responsible for his conduct or that he should not be held accountable for his actions.  Relief denied.

The Board has no authority to upgrade a discharge for the sole purpose of enhancing employment opportunities.  Regulations limit the Board’s review to a determination on the propriety and equity of the discharge.  Relief denied.

The following is provided for the edification of the Applicant.  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, however, 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, and certification of non-involvement with civil authorities.  The Applicant’s evidence of post-service conduct was found not to mitigate his misconduct sufficient to warrant an upgrade to his discharge.   Therefore, no relief will be granted.

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 additional documentation to support any claims of post-service accomplishments or any other evidence relating 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 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 503, Equity.

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