ex-TMSR, USN
ND07-00005

Current Discharge and Applicant’s Request:

Application Received:  				20060925
	Characterization of Service:		
	Reason for Discharge:			
	Discharge Authority:			MILPERSMAN 3630600
	Duty Assignment/Command at Discharge:	USS DWIGHT D EISENHOWER (CVN-69)

Applicant’s Request:	
	Characterization change to:		
	Narrative Reason change to: 		
	Review Requested:			
	Representation:				
	Issues (as summarized by NDRB):		1.  Employment to create better life for family.
						2.  Immature
						3.  Post Service – Responsible parent, member of church, productive 							member of society, and currently enrolled in Pre-Nursing courses.

Decision:

By a vote of  the Characterization shall  .	
By a vote of  the Reason for Discharge shall   - .

Date of Decision:					20070816
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:   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 2 ():  The Applicant contends that his discharge was inequitable because his punishment was too harsh based immaturity.  The Board reviews the propriety and equity of each Applicant’s discharge individually.  Regulations permit relief on equitable grounds if the Applicant’s discharge is inconsistent with standards of discipline of the naval service.  Based upon the record, nothing indicates that the Applicant’s discharge was in any way inconsistent with the standards of discipline in the United States Navy.  A general under honorable conditions characterization of service 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 punishments for violations of the UCMJ Articles 91 (failure to obey, 2 specifications), 92 (failure to obey a written order) and 107 (false official statement), a civil conviction for reckless driving, and three retention warnings.  These Nonjudicial punishments form the basis for the Applicants administrative discharge based on a pattern of misconduct which is defined as two or more nonjudicial punishments during the same enlistment.  The Applicant’s conduct, which forms the primary basis for determining his characterization of 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. 

Issue 3 ():  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.  Normally, to permit relief, a procedural impropriety or inequity must have been found to have existed during the period of enlistment in question.  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 his statement of being a productive member of society, a responsible parent, a member of a church and attending school.  He also provided a letter of recommendation from his pastor as documentation of his 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, and certification of non-involvement with civil authorities.  The Board determined that the documentation provided by the Applicant did not mitigate the misconduct which resulted in his characterization of service at discharge.  

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)				19930624 - 19931206  
Active:  						 

Period of Service Under Review:
Date of Enlistment:  				19931207
Years Contracted:  				
Date of Discharge:				19961104
Length of Service
	Active:					2  Yrs  10  Mths  28  Dys  (does not exclude lost time)
	Inactive:					0  Yrs  0  Mths  0  Dys
	Time Lost During This Period:		

Education Level:  				
Age at this Enlistment:  				
AFQT:  						48
Highest Rate/Rank:				TMSN

Performance Evaluation Averages (number of marks):
				Performance: 3.4(1) Behavior: 3.4(1) OTA: 3.40 (4.0 scale)
				Performance: 2.0(1) Behavior: 3.0(1) OTA: 2.67 (5.0 scale)

Awards and Decorations (as listed on the DD Form 214):  NATIONAL DEFENSE SERVICE MEDAL/SOUTHWEST ASIA SERVICE MEDAL W/BRONZE STAR/ARMED FORCES EXPEDITIONARY MEDAL/MERITORIOUS UNIT COMMENDATION/SEA SERVICE DEPLOYMENT RIBBON/ARMED FORCES/NATO MEDAL

Service Record Entries Related to Characterization of Service or Reason for Discharge

19931208:	Retention Warning.  Defective enlistment and induction due to fraudulent entry into naval service as evidenced by your failure to disclose your pre-service civil involvement/drug abuse and driving without a license.  

19941030:	Applicant failed physical readiness test on 19941018.

19950618:	Applicant failed physical readiness test run on 19950607.

19951012:	Applicant unauthorized absent from 0600 until 0720.

19951102:	Civil Conviction:  Newport News General District Court, Traffic Division, Newport News, Virginia for violation of reckless driving.
	
19951122:	Retention Warning:  Civil conviction..

19960328:	NJP for violations of UCMJ:
	Article 92:  Fail to obey a lawful written order by having a guest of the opposite sex in your BEQ room.
	Article 107:  False official statement to Police Corporal A_.
	
19960328:	Retention Warning

19960718:	Vacate suspended reduction awarded at CO’s NJP of 19960328 due to continued misconduct.

19960718:	NJP for violations of UCMJ:
	Article 91 (2 specifications):
	Specification 1:  Disobey a lawful order from CWO3 G_ by failing to bring in your sea bag, 19960617.
	Specification 2:  Disobey a lawful order from TM3 S_, by failing to replace water, 19960627.

Elements of Discharge:  [INVOLUNTARY]

Date Notified:					19960718
Reason for Discharge				 - 
						 - 
Least Favorable Characterization Authorized:	OTHER THAN HONORABLE
Date Applicant Responded to Notification:		19960724
Rights Elected at Notification:
Consult with Counsel			
Obtain Copies of Documents		
Submit Statement(s) (date)			
Administrative Board			
GCMCA Review				

Administrative Board Date:			19960820
	Findings, by preponderance of the evidence and By a   - 									 .
						By a    - 									 .
						By a   separation  warranted.
	Recommendation on Separation: 		By a         
	Recommendation on Characterization:	By a   											

Commanding Officer Recommendation (date):	
Separation Authority (date):	COMMANDING OFFICER, USS DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER (CVN 69) (19961004)
	Reason for discharge directed:		 -  AND 								COMMISSION OF A SERIOUS OFFENSE
	Characterization directed:			
Date Applicant Discharged:			19961104

Additional Documents Submitted by Applicant and Considered By Board

Total Number of Pages:				3
       
Related to Period of Service Under Review:
	From Service and/or Medical Record:		Other Records:	

Related to Other Period(s) of Service:
	From Service and/or Medical Record:		Other Records:	
       
Related to Post-Service Period:
	Employment:					Finances:	
	Health/Medical Records:				Substance Abuse:	
	Family/Personal Status:				Education:	
 	Community Service Efforts:			References:	
	Criminal Records:			

Other:
	Additional Statements From Applicant:		From Representative:	
        	Other Documentation (Describe)		      

Pertinent Regulation/Law

A.  Naval Military Personnel Manual, (NAVPERS 15560C, Change 14, effective 03 October 1996 until 11 December 1997), Article 3630600, SEPARATION OF ENLISTED PERSONNEL BY REASON OF MISCONDUCT - A PATTERN OF MISCONDUCT. 

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 each violation of the UCMJ, Articles 91 (disobey a lawful order), 92 (fail to obey a lawful written order) and 107 (false official statements).

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