ex-IT3, USN
ND06-01199

Current Discharge and Applicant’s Request:

Application Received:  				20060920
Characterization of Service:			GENERAL (UNDER HONORABLE CONDITIONS)
Narrative Reason for Separation:			PARENTHOOD OR CUSTODY OF MINOR CHILDREN
Discharge Authority:				MILPERSMAN 1910-124
Last Duty Assignment/Command at Discharge:	USS VINCENNES (CG 49)

Applicant’s Request:	
	Characterization change to:		
	Narrative Reason change to: 		
	Review Requested:			
	Representation:				
Applicant’s Issues as Summarized by the Board:	1.  Equity – In service performance
						2.  Equity -- Benefits

Decision:

By a vote of  the Characterization shall  .	
By a vote of  the Narrative Reason shall  .

Date of Decision:					20070823
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:	

Discussion:

Issue 1 ().  The Applicant requests an upgrade of the characterization of service based upon the quality of his in-service performance.  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.  A general 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 retention warnings and two non-judicial punishment proceedings for violations of UCMJ Articles 86 (unauthorized absence), Article 111 (drunken driving), and 134 (incapacitation for the performance of duties).  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.

Issue 2 (Equity):   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 .  

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.

Summary of Service:

Prior Service:
Inactive: USNR (DEP)				19940106 - 19940328  
Active:   					19940329 - 19980721  

Period of Service Under Review:
Date of Enlistment:  				19980722
Years Contracted:  				
Date of Discharge:				20030816
Length of Service
	Active:					05  Yrs  00  Mths  25  Dys  (does not exclude lost time)
	Inactive:					00  Yrs  00  Mths  00  Dys  

Time Lost During This Period:			

Education Level:  				
Age at this Enlistment:  				
AFQT:  						73
Highest Rate/Rank:				IT2

Performance Evaluation Averages (number of marks):
				Performance: 3.5(5) Behavior: 2.7(5) OTA: 3.26

Awards and Decorations (as listed on the DD Form 214):  SEA SERVICE DEPLOYMENT RIBBON (3), OVERSEAS SERVICE RIBBON (3), NAVY ACHIEVEMENT MEDAL, BATTLE "E" AWARD, MERITORIOUS UNIT COMMENDATION, NATIONAL DEFENSE SERVICE MEDAL (2), GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL

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

20020103:	NJP for violation(s) of UCMJ:
	Article 86:  Absent without leave.  No further information found in service record.  [Extracted from Commanding Officer’s letter dated 20030620.]

20021105:	NJP for violation(s) of UCMJ:
	Article 134:  Drunkenness (driving under the influence (DUI)), incapacitation for performance of duties (driving) through prior wrongful indulgence in intoxicating liquors or any drug.  No further information found in service record.  [Extracted from Commanding Officer’s letter dated 20030620.]

20030320:	Retention Warning.  No further information found in service record.  [Extracted from Commanding Officer’s letter dated 20030620.]

20030520:	Family Care Plan Certificate:  Applicant indicated that he is unable to comply with the Navy's policy for dependent care.
Elements of Discharge:  [INVOLUNTARY]

Discharge Process:				
Date Notified:					20030521
Reason for Discharge				 due to:  
Least Favorable Characterization Authorized:	

Date Applicant Responded to Notification:		20030521
Rights Elected at Notification:
Consult with Counsel			
Administrative Board			
Obtain Copies				
Submit Statement(s) (date)			
GCMCA Review				

Commanding Officer Recommendation (date):	 (20030620)
Separation Authority (date):	COMNAVPERSCOM (20030801)
	Narrative reason directed:			 OR CUSTODY OF MINOR CHILDREN
	Characterization directed:			
Date Applicant Discharged:			20030816

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:				2
	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:		1
        Other Documentation	 (Describe Below)		0

        Total Number of Pages:				3

Pertinent Regulation/Law

A.  The Naval Military Personnel Manual, (NAVPERS 15560C, re-issued October 2002, effective 22 August 2002 until 
25 January 2004, Article 1910-124, Separation by reason of Convenience of the Government - Parenthood.

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.

C.  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 111 (drunken driving).

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