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

  ex-AM2, USN
Docket No. ND05-00362

Applicant’s Request

The application for discharge review was received on 20041227.  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 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 20050214.  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 1910-144 (formerly 3630610).

PART I - APPLICANT’S ISSUES AND DOCUMENTATION

Issues, as stated

Applicant’s issues, as stated on the application:

“1.  Legal officer LTJG J_ used threats and scare tactics to prevent me from getting an admin board as was my right.”

Documentation

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

Applicant’s DD Form 214
Ltr frm NPC to Applicant dtd 041203
Copy of Applicant’s ltr to SECNAV w/ issues for consideration, undated (3 pages)
12 pages of evaluations from Applicant’s service record
Pre-sentence investigation, State of Florida Dept of Corrections (11 pages)
Copy of news paper article, undated
Ltr frm Cordova Counseling Center dtd 040506
Ltr frm Applicant, undated

PART II - SUMMARY OF SERVICE

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

	Inactive: USNR (DEP)	961104 - 961105	COG
	Active:   USN 			961106 - 990811	HON

Period of Service Under Review:

Date of Enlistment:  990812		Date of Discharge:  020920

Length of Service (years, months, days):

	Active:    03  01  09
	Inactive:  None

Age at Entry:  24			Years Contracted:  6 

Education Level:  12			AFQT:  69

Highest Rate:  AM2

Final Enlisted Performance Evaluation Averages (number of marks):

Performance:  3.50 (2)*		Behavior:  2.00 (2)		OTA:  2.88

Military Decorations:  None

Unit/Campaign/Service Awards:  AFEM (3), SSDR, NDSM, GCM

Days of Unauthorized Absence:  None

*[Averages computed using reports contained in the service record and reports provided by the Applicant]

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

UNDER OTHER THAN HONORABLE CONDITIONS/MISCONDUCT, authority: MILPERSMAN, Article 1910-144 (formerly 3630610).

Chronological Listing of Significant Service Events:

990812:	Applicant reenlisted for 6 years.

020805:	Civil Conviction.
	Offense:  Lewd and Lascivious Acts with a minor.
	Court:  Escambia County Court
	Sentence:  5 years supervised probation, withhold adjudication, 60 days county jail.

020909:	Applicant notified of intended recommendation for discharge with the least favorable characterization of service as under other than honorable conditions by reason of misconduct due to civil conviction.

020909:	Applicant advised of rights and having elected not to consult with counsel certified under UCMJ Article 27B, elected to waive all rights.

020909:	Commanding Officer recommended discharge under other than honorable conditions by reason of misconduct due to civil conviction.

020910:	CNMPC directed the Applicant's discharge under other than honorable conditions by reason of misconduct due to civil conviction.

PART III – RATIONALE FOR DECISION AND PERTINENT REGULATION/LAW

Discussion

The Applicant was discharged on 20020920 under other than honorable conditions for misconduct due to civil conviction (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.  The Board found no indication in the record or in the documents provided by the Applicant that the Applicant was inequitably or improperly denied counsel or that the legal officer, “used threats and scare tactics” to have the Applicant waive his right to an administrative board.  The Applicant’s allegations do not refute the presumption of regularity in this case.  Relief is not warranted.

An Under Other Than Honorable Conditions discharge is warranted when significant negative aspects of a member's conduct or performance of duty outweigh the positive aspects of the member's military record.  The Applicant’s service was marred by a civil conviction for lewd and lascivious acts with a minor.   The Applicant’s conduct, which forms the primary basis for determining the character of his service, reflects his willful failure to meet the requirements of his contract with the U.S. Navy and falls far short of that required for an upgrade of his characterization of service.  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.  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), re-issued October 2002, effective 22 Aug 02 until Present, Article 1910-144 (previously 3630610), Separation by Reason of Misconduct - Civilian Conviction. 

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