ex-AN, USN
 ND07-00671

Current Discharge and Applicant’s Request

Application Received:  20070426 	Characterization Received:  
Narrative Reason:  FRAUDULENT ENTRY 	Authority:  MILPERSMAN 1910-134

Applicant’s Request:	Characterization change to:  
			Narrative Reason change: 

Applicant’s Issues:	1.  Montgomery GI Bill
			2.  Punishment too hard for the crime, received good evals, a good conduct medal, no report chits, 				DRB’s, XOI, or Capt’s mast.
			3.  Mother had paid off credit cards, didn’t know.

Decision

By a vote of  the Characterization shall  .
By a vote of  the Narrative Reason shall  FRAUDULENT ENTRY INTO MILITARY SERVICE.

Date:  20080110		Location:  Washington D.C	 Representation:  

Discussion

After a thorough review of the records, supporting documents, facts, and circumstances unique to this case, NDRB discerned an inequity in the discharge process.  The Board voted 3-2 that the characterization of service shall change to Honorable.  

The Applicant was discharged at the command level in accordance with the Naval Military Personnel Manual, (NAVPERS 15560C), Change 11, effective 3 May 2005 until Present, Article 1910-134, Separation by Reason of Defective Enlistments and Inductions - Fraudulent Entry Into the Naval Service.  Article 1910-134 referrers the discharge authority to MILPERSMAN 1910-300 for guidance on assigning the Applicant’s characterization of service.  A general (under honorable conditions) characterization of service is defined as, “the quality of a member’s service has been honest and faithful however significant negative aspects of the member’s conduct of performance of duty outweighed the positive aspects of the member’s service”.  The Board found an inequity in this case based upon the Applicant’s evaluations, ranking among other AOAN’s, the absence of any derogatory comments, report chits, XOI or Captain’s mast and the CO’s comments that the Applicant’s discharge is based entirely upon the requirement to process for separation based upon his failure to disclose adverse financial information on the Applicant’s SF-86 at the time of enlistment.  By a vote of 3-2 the Board determined that relief is warranted, the Applicant’s characterization of service shall be changed to “Honorable”.    

Administrative Corrections to the Applicant’s DD 214

The NDRB did note an administrative error on the original DD Form 214:

	  “FRAUDULENT ENTRY INTO MILITARY SERVICE”
	
The NDRB will recommend to the Commander, Navy Personnel Command, that the DD 214 be corrected as appropriate. 

Summary of Service

Prior Service:
Inactive: USNR (DEP)	20020621 - 20020922  		
Period of Service Under Review:
Date of Enlistment: 20020923	Years Contracted:  		Date of Discharge:  20060223
Length of Service:  03 Yrs 05 Mths 01 Dys			Lost Time:  
Education Level:  	Age at Enlistment:  	AFQT:  54	Highest Rank/Rate:  AOAN
Evaluation marks (# of occasions):	Performance:  3.5 (4)	Behavior:  3.0 (4)		 OTA:  3.40 (4)
Awards and Decorations (per DD 214):  NDSM, KOSOVO CAMPAIGN MEDAL W/BRONZE STAR, AFSM, SSDR (2), GWOTSM, GCM

Medical/Service Record Entries Related to Characterization of Service or Basis for Discharge

20050715:	Evaluation for period 20040716 through 20040715 – Applicant’s overall trait average 3.71, summary group 		average 3.21, Applicant ranked as EP only two EP’s in a group of 32.  

20060223:	Commanding Officer, Patrol Squadron Four Five informs Commander Naval Personnel of the Applicant’s 			discharge with a general (under honorable conditions) characterization of service for fraudulent entry in to 			military service.  Commanding Officer’s comments:  “AN L_ (Applicant) has been at this command since 25 		Apr 03.  The command received notice of his failure to disclose adverse financial information on the SF-86.  		This form is completed when enlisting in the navy.  Due to his failure to disclose, there is a requirement to 			separate or request a waiver of fraudulent enlistment.  Under notification procedures he was processed for 			administrative separation.  I recommend separation with a characterization of service as general”. 

Discharge Process

Date Notified:					20060209
Reason for Discharge:	
Least Favorable Characterization:	

Date Applicant Responded to Notification:		NOT FOUND IN RECORD
Rights Elected at Notification:
	Consult with Counsel			
	Obtain Copies of Documents		
	Submit Statement(s) (date)			
	Administrative Board			
	GCMCA review				

Administrative Board Date:	NOT FOUND IN RECORD

Separation Authority (date):	Commanding Officer Patrol Squadron Four Five, (20060223) 
              Reason for discharge directed:	Fraudulent Entry
              Characterization directed:	
Date Applicant Discharged:	20060223

Types of Documents Submitted by Applicant and Considered By Board

Related to Military Service:	Service and/or Medical Record:  		Other Records:  

Related to Post-Service Period:  	
	Employment:  			Finances:  			Education: 		
	Health/Medical Records:  		Substance Abuse:			Criminal Records:  	
	Family/Personal Status: 		Community Service:  		References:  		
	
Additional Statements From Applicant:  	From Representative:    
Other Documentation (Describe)   Credit Report

Pertinent Regulation/Law

A.  The Naval Military Personnel Manual, (NAVPERS 15560C), Change 11, effective 3 May 2005 until Present, Article 1910-134, Separation by Reason of Defective Enlistments and Inductions - Fraudulent Entry Into the Naval Service.

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 to the Joint Service Review Activity, OUSD (P&R) PI-LP, The Pentagon, Washington, DC  20301-4000.  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