ex-DCFN, USN 
ND07-00911

Current Discharge and Applicant’s Request

Application Received:  20070627 	Characterization Received:  
Narrative Reason:  PERSONALITY DISORDER 	Authority:  MILPERSMAN 1910-120

Applicant’s Request:	Characterization change to:  
			Narrative Reason change to: 
Applicant’s Issues:	1. Applicant contends he is not mentally ill and therefore should return to complete his military duty
			2. Diagnosis was not severe enough that he could not function effectively
			3. Completed drug and alcohol rehab before his discharge

Decision

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

Date:  20080103		Location:  Washington D.C	 Representation:  

Discussion

Issues 1-3: ().  The Applicant contends that he is not mentally ill and that his diagnosis was not severe enough that he could not function effectively.  On 20030127, competent medical authority diagnosed the Applicant as having Alcohol dependence, Amphetamine abuse, Antisocial Personality Disorder and Borderline Personality Disorder, but not considered mentally ill.  The Applicant manifests a longstanding disorder of character and behavior which is so severe that the member’s ability to function in the Naval environment is significantly impaired and interferes with the member’s performance of duty.  

The record reflects that the Applicant violated the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ), Article 86 (Unauthorized absence and Article 121 (Larceny).  Violation of the UCMJ Article 121 is considered a serious offense for which a punitive discharge is authorized if adjudged by a Special or General Courts Martial.  An upgrade to honorable would be inappropriate. 

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, Medical and Service Record Entries, Discharge Process and evidence submitted by the Applicant, the Board found that 

Administrative Corrections to the Applicant’s DD 214

The NDRB did note administrative error(s) on the original DD Form 214:

	  “MILPERSMAN 1910-122”
	
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)	20010814 - 20010903  		Active:   
Period of Service Under Review:
Date of Enlistment: 20010904	Years Contracted:  	Date of Discharge:  20030709
Length of Service:  01  Yrs  10  Mths  06  Dys	Lost Time:  Days UA:    Days Confined:  
Education Level:  	Age at Enlistment:  	AFQT:  43	Highest Rank/Rate:  DCFN
Evaluation marks (# of occasions):	Performance:  N/A	Behavior:  N/A		 OTA:  N/A 
Awards and Decorations (per DD 214):  NDSM, NER

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

20020720:	NJP -- Viol UCMJ Art. 86 (2 specifications) - (1) Abandoning watch or guard, (2) Absence without leave.
	Awarded - FOP (1/2 months pay) for (2 months); Restr for (60 days).

20020720:	Retention Warning for abandoning watch or guard and absence without leave.

20030127:	Medical Record:  Reason for visit:  Initial psychiatric evaluation.
	Diagnosis:  Antisocial personality disorder, borderline personality disorder.
	Recommendation:  Expeditious administrative separation for unsuitability due to the presence of a serve personality disorder.

20030604:	Applicant charged with violating Article 121:  Larceny.  This charge has not been adjudicated.

20030709:	Applicant acknowledges he is not recommended for reenlistment or retention in the Naval Service

20030709:	(Extracted for CO’s comments in Administrative Separation Recommendation): After the Applicant was removed from the command and returned to the United States for further medical evaluation and treatment, he was charged with criminal assault in New York State.  When he departed Norfolk on 20030604 to attend his hearing in New York on the assault charge, DCFN Bellard was charged with violating the UCMJ article 121, allegedly having stolen money in the amount of $160.00 from another sailor.

Discharge Process

Date Notified:					20030327
Reason for Discharge:	 - 
	 - 
Least Favorable Characterization:	

Date Applicant Responded to Notification:		20030327
Rights Elected at Notification:
	Consult with Counsel			
	Obtain Copies of Documents		
	Submit Statement(s) (date)			
	Administrative Board			
	GCMCA review				

Commanding Officer Recommendation (date):	)
Separation Authority (date):	COMMANDING OFFICER, USS CAPE ST. GEORGE (CG 71) (20030709)
              Reason for discharge directed:	 - 
              Characterization directed:	
Date Applicant Discharged:	     

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) 

Pertinent Regulation/Law

A.  Naval Military Personnel Manual, (NAVPERS 15560C), re-issued October 2002, effective 22 August 2002 until 
25 January 2004, Article 1910-122, Separation By Reason of Convenience of the Government - Personality Disorder(s) 

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 121.

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