ex-AM3, USN
ND06-01095

Current Discharge and Applicant’s Request:

Application Received:  				20060815     
Narrative Reason for Separation:			
Character of Service:				
Discharge Authority:				MILPERSMAN 1910-152
Last Duty Assignment/Command at Discharge:	VP 45 JACKSONVILLE, FL

Applicant’s Request:
	Narrative Reason change to:		NOT APPLICABLE
	Characterization change to:		
	Review Requested:			
Representation:  					
Issues (as summarized by NDRB):			1.  GI Bill
						2.  Reenlist
						3.  Post Service – Stopped Drinking

Decision:

Date of Decision:					20070727     
Location of Board:				Washington D.C.
Complete Service Record:				
Complete Medical Record:			
Complete Discharge Package:			

Regarding propriety, the Board found the discharge:	
Regarding equity, the Board found the discharge:	

By a vote of  the Characterization shall  	
By a vote of  the Reason for Discharge shall  ALCOHOL REHABILITATION FAILURE

Summary of Service:

Prior Service:
Inactive: USNR (DEP)				20000523-20000606 UNCHARACTERIZED – POSITIVE DRUG TEST
Inactive: USNR (DEP)				20020531-20020702 
Active:        		               		NONE      
Period of Service Under Review:
Date of Enlistment:  				20020703     
Years Contracted:  				;        
Date of Discharge:				20050823
Length of Service:				03  Yrs  01  Mos  21  Days
Time Lost During This Period:			
Days Unauthorized Absence:			NONE
Days Confinement:				NONE

Education Level:  				
Age at this Enlistment:  				
AFQT:  						64
Highest Rate/Rank:				AM2

Performance Evaluation Averages (number of marks):
Performance:					3.8 (5)
Behavior:					3.0 (5)
OTA:						3.23

Awards and Decorations (as listed on the DD Form 214):
NAVY AND MARINE CORPS ACHIEVEMENT MEDAL, GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, NATIONAL DEFENSE SERVICE MEDAL, KOSOVO CAMPAIGN MEDAL WITH BRONZE STAR, ARMED FORCES SERVICE MEDAL, GLOBAL WAR ON TERRORISM SERVICE MEDAL. 

Service Record Entries Related to Characterization of Service or Narrative Reason for Separation

20050208:	Applicant diagnosis as alcohol dependent at Naval Hospital Jacksonville, Florida.

20050303:	Applicant completed Substance Abuse Rehabilitation Program at Naval Hospital Jacksonville, Florida. 
	Aftercare treatment plan defined as well as definition and consequences of treatment failure.
	
20050727:	NJP for violations of UCMJ:
	Article 92: (4 specifications), failure to obey order or regulation.
	Award:  Forfeiture of $893.00 for 2 months, restriction and extra duty for 45 days, reduction to E-4.
	No indication of appeal in the record.

20050823:	DD-214 issued for alcohol rehabilitation treatment failure.

Elements of Discharge:  [INVOLUNTARY]

Discharge Process:				NOT FOUND IN RECORD
Date Notified:					NOT FOUND IN RECORD
Reason for Discharge				
						
Least Favorable Characterization:			
Date Applicant Responded to Notification:		NOT FOUND IN RECORD
Rights Elected at Notification:
Consult with Counsel			
Administrative Board			
Obtain Copies	  			
Submit Statement(s) (date)			 
GCMCA Review				

Recommendation of Commanding Officer (date):	 
Discharge directed by (date):			NOT FOUND IN RECORD
Narrative reason directed:				
Characterization directed:	
Date Applicant Discharged:			20050823

Additional Information Considered by Board

Type of documentation submitted by the Applicant and considered by the Board
       
       	Document Type					#Pages
       Related to Period of Service Under Review:
	Service/Medical Record:				1     
	Other Period of Service:				0     
       Related to Post-Service Period:
	Community Service:				0     
	Education:					0     
	Employment:					0     
	Health/Medical:					0     
	Character Statements:				0     
	Criminal Records Checks:				0     
	Additional Statements from Applicant:		0     
        Other Documentation	 (Describe Below)		0     

        Total Number of Pages:				1     

Discussion

Issues 1 (GI Bill) and 2 (reenlistment):   either  which the Board cannot form the basis of relief for the Applicant, or  the Board does not have the authority to grant the relief for which the Applicant petitioned.  The Applicant is directed to the Addendum regarding .  

Decisional Issues:

Issue 3 (Post service – stopped drinking):  The NDRB is authorized to consider post-service factors in the recharacterization of a discharge.  However, 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 the civilian life subsequent to leaving the service.  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, is considered.  The Applicant provided no documentation to support his claim of abstinence from alcohol or other post-service accomplishments.  The Applicant's efforts need to be more encompassing than those provided.  For example, the Applicant could have produced evidence of continuing educational pursuits, a verifiable employment record, documentation of community service, evidence of drug free existence, evidence of alcohol rehabilitation, and certification of non-involvement with civil authorities.  The Board determined that the documentation provided by the Applicant did not mitigate the misconduct that resulted in the Applicant’s characterization of service.  Relief denied.  

In reviewing discharges, the Board presumes regularity in the conduct of Government affairs unless there is substantial credible evidence to rebut the presumption, to include evidence submitted by the Applicant.  After a thorough review of the available evidence, to include the Applicant’s Summary of Service, Service Record Entries, Medical Record Entries, Elements of Discharge and evidence submitted by the Applicant, the Board found the Applicant’s discharge proper and equitable.

Pertinent Regulation/Law

A.  Navy Military Personnel Manual, (NAVPERS 15560C), Change 11, 29 April 2005 until Present, Article 1910-152, SEPARATION BY REASON OF ALCOHOL REHABILITATION FAILURE.

B.  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 V, Para 502, Propriety and Para 503, Equity.

ADDENDUM:  Information for the Applicant

Complaint Procedures:  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 Instruction 1332.28, you may submit a complaint in accordance with Enclosure (5) of that Instruction.  You should read Enclosure (5) of the Instruction 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 Instruction 1332.28 and other Decisional Documents by going online at “http://Boards.law.af.mil”.

Additional Reviews:  Subsequent to a document review, former members are eligible for a personal appearance hearing, provided the 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 additional evidence related to this discharge.  Representation at a personal appearance hearing is recommended but not required.  If a former member has been discharged for more than 15 years, has already been granted a personal appearance hearing or has otherwise exhausted his opportunities before the NDRB, the Applicant may petition the Board for Correction of Naval Records (BCNR), 2 Navy Annex, Washington, DC 20370-5100 for further review.

Service Benefits:  The Veterans Administration determines eligibility for post-service benefits, not the Naval Discharge Review Board.  There is no requirement or law that grants recharacterization solely on the issue of obtaining Veterans' benefits and this issue does not serve to provide a foundation upon which the Board can grant relief.

Employment/ Educational Opportunities:  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 of the propriety and equity of the discharge.  

Reenlistment/ RE-code:  Since the NDRB has no jurisdiction over reenlistment, reentry, or reinstatement into the Navy, Marine Corps, or any other of the Armed Forces, the NDRB is not authorized to change a reenlistment code.  Only the Board for Correction of Naval Records (BCNR) can make changes to reenlistment codes.  Additionally, the Board has no authority to upgrade a discharge for the sole purpose of enhancing reenlistment opportunities.  An unfavorable “RE” code is, in itself, not a bar to reenlistment.  A request for a waiver can be submitted during the processing of a formal application for reenlistment through a recruiter.

Medical Conditions and Misconduct:  DoD disability regulations do not preclude a disciplinary separation.  Appropriate regulations stipulate that separations for misconduct take precedence over potential separations for other reasons.  Whenever a member is being processed through the Physical Evaluation Board, and subsequently is processed for an administrative involuntary separation for misconduct, the disability evaluation is suspended.  The Physical Evaluation Board case remains in suspense pending the outcome of the non-disability proceedings.  If the action includes either a punitive or administrative discharge for misconduct, the medical board report is filed in the member’s terminated health record.  Additionally, the NDRB does not have the authority to change a narrative reason for separation to one indicating a medical disability or “PTSD.”  Only the Board for Correction of Naval Records can grant this type of narrative reason change.  

Automatic Upgrades - 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 may 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.  

Issues Concerning Bad-Conduct Discharges (BCD) – Because relevant and material facts stated in a court-martial specification are presumed by the NDRB to be established facts, issues relating to the Applicant’s innocence of charges for which he was found guilty cannot form a basis for relief.  With respect to a discharge adjudged by a court-martial, the action of the NDRB is restricted to upgrades based on clemency.  Clemency is an act of leniency that reduces the severity of the punishment imposed.  

Board Membership:  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