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

FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY

 ex-FA, USN 
Docket No. ND05-00866

Applicant’s Request

The application for discharge review was received on 20050426.  The Applicant requests the Discharge Characterization of Service received at the time of discharge be changed to honorable.  The Applicant requests a documentary record discharge review.  The Applicant did not designate a representative on the DD Form 293.

Decision

A documentary discharge review was conducted in Washington, D.C. on 20051102.  After a thorough review of the available 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 by reason of misconduct due to drug abuse.

PART I - APPLICANT’S ISSUES AND DOCUMENTATION

Issues, as stated

Applicant’s issues, as stated on the application: 

“I am requesting an upgrade to an honorable discharge because I have applied for a position on the fire department.  At the time of my discharge I made a terrible mistake and take full responsibility of my actions.  I was young and I didn’t make the right decision. I’ve grown up now and trying to better myself with this career decision.  I’ve been employed at Harrah’s casino for the past 4 years.  I’m raising my daughter and dong the best I can.  I am greatly remorseful for my actions in the past and I would greatly appreciate your help in this matter.  Thanking you in advance.”

Documentation

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

Only the service and medical records was reviewed.  The Applicant did not provide additional documentation for the Board’s consideration.

PART II - SUMMARY OF SERVICE

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

	Inactive:  USNR (DEP)	19960127 – 19960813		COG
	Active:    None

Period of Service Under Review:

Date of Enlistment:  19960814		Date of Discharge:  19990506

Length of Service (years, months, days):

	Active:    02  07  09  (Excludes lost time)
	Inactive:  None

Time Lost During This Period (days):

	Unauthorized absence: none*
	Confinement:  		 none

Age at Entry:  18 

Years Contracted:  4 

Education Level:  12				AFQT:  56

Highest Rate:  FN

Final Enlisted Performance Evaluation Averages (number of marks):

Performance:  2.0 (1) 		Behavior:  1.0 (1) 		OTA:  2.14

Decorations, Medals, Badges, Citations, and Campaign Ribbons Awarded or Authorized, (as listed on the DD Form 214):  Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, Expert M-16A1 Ribbon, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal; Navy Unit Commendation Medal, Battle ‘E’ Ribbon

*The Applicant’s DD214 shows a period of time lost from 990114-990228.  The Board was unable to determine whether this period of lost time was due to confinement, unauthorized absence or another circumstance. 

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

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

Chronological Listing of Significant Service Events: 

970602:	Applicant counseled regarding failure of physical readiness test due to failing the run.  Applicant notified that failure of the physical readiness test three times within a four-year period would result in immediate administrative separation processing. 

970615:	Applicant to unauthorized absence at 0745 on 970615.

970616:	Applicant surrendered from unauthorized absence at 0700 on 970616.

980511:	NJP for violation of UCMJ, Article 92: Failure to obey order or regulation.
Award:  Forfeiture of $539 per month for 1 month, restriction to the limits of USS SHREVEPORT (LPD 12) for 30 days, extra duty for 30 days.  No indication of appeal in the record.

990113:	NJP for violation of UCMJ, Article 112a: Wrongful use of a controlled substance. 
	Award:  Forfeiture of $537 per month for 2 months, restriction and extra duties to USS SHREVEPORT (LPD-12) for 45 days, reduction to E-2.  No indication of appeal in the record.

990114:	Applicant began a period of lost time.  [Extracted from DD214]

990228:	Applicant ended a period of lost time.  [Extracted from DD214]

990506:	Applicant discharged under other than honorable conditions by reason of misconduct due to drug abuse with the administrative separation board waived.  [Extracted from DD214]

Service Record did not contain the Administrative Discharge package.

PART III – RATIONALE FOR DECISION AND PERTINENT REGULATION/LAW

Discussion

The Applicant was discharged on 19990506 by reason of misconduct due to drug abuse (A and B) with a service characterization of under other than honorable conditions.  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 (C and D).  The Board presumed regularity in the conduct of governmental affairs (E).

When the service of a member of the U.S. Navy has been honest and faithful, it is appropriate to characterize that service as honorable.  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 two nonjudicial punishment proceedings for violations of Articles 92 and 112a of the UCMJ.  The Applicant’s violations of Articles 92 and 112a are serious offenses.  The Applicant also has at least one period of unauthorized absence which was not adjudicated.  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 is not warranted.

The Applicant contends that he made “a terrible mistake” and that he takes full responsibility for his actions.  The Applicant’s nonjudicial punishment for violation of Article 112a of the UCMJ is credible evidence that the Applicant used illegal 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.  Additionally, the Board has no authority to upgrade a discharge for the sole purpose of enhancing employment or educational opportunities.  Regulations limit the Board’s review to a determination on the propriety and equity of the discharge.  Relief denied.

The Applicant implies that his decision to use drugs can be attributed to his youth.  While he may feel that his immaturity was the underlying cause of his misconduct, the record clearly reflects his willful misconduct and demonstrated he was unfit for further service.  The evidence of record did not show that the Applicant was either not responsible for his conduct or that he should not be held accountable for his actions.  Relief denied.

The Applicant contends that he has “grown up” and that he has been employed by the same employer for four years.  Normally, to permit relief, a procedural impropriety or inequity must have occurred during the discharge process for the period of enlistment in question.  The Board discovered no impropriety after a review of Applicant’s case.  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 post-service 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 18, effective 12 Dec 97 to 19 May 99, Article 1910-146 (formerly 3630620), Separation by Reason of Misconduct - Drug Abuse.

B.  The Manual for Courts-Martial authorizes the award of a punitive discharge if adjudged as part of the sentence upon conviction by a special or general court-martial for violation of the UCMJ, Article 92, failure to obey an order/regulation or Article 112a, wrongful use of a controlled substance.

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.

E.  Secretary of the Navy Instruction 5420.174D of 22 December 2004, Naval Discharge Review Board (NDRB) Procedures and Standards, Part II, Para 211, Regularity of Government Affairs.

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