ex-PN3, USN

Current Discharge and Applicant’s Request

Application Received: 20090209
Characterization of Service Received:  
Narrative Reason for Discharge: 
Authority for Discharge:  MILPERSMAN 

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

Summary of Service

Prior Service:
Inactive:	USNR (DEP)	NONE	
Active:		19900710-19940208

Period of Service Under Review:
Date of Enlistment:  19940209	Age at Enlistment:  
Period of Enlistment:   Years   Extension
Date of Discharge:  19981123	Highest Rank/Rate:  PN3
Length of Service:   Year(s)     Month(s)   11 Day(s)
Education Level:  	AFQT:  NFIR
Evaluation Marks:	Performance:  3.9 (4)	Behavior:  3.8 (4)	OTA:  3.80

Awards and Decorations (per DD 214):	    (2)    

Periods of UA/CONF:  19960603-19960605 (2 DAYS)

NJP:     SCM:     SPCM:     CC:  

Retention Warning Counseling:  
            19930402: Violation of Uniform ode of Military Justice (UCMJ): Article 86 (UA); Article 90 (Willfully disobeying    
                               a superior officer) and Article 92 (Failure to obey a regulation)

Types of Documents Submitted/reviewed
Related to Military Service:	
                                         DD 214:  	 Service/Medical Record:  		  Other Records:  

Related to Post-Service Period:	
	Employment:			Finances:			Education/Training:	
	Health/Medical Records:		Substance Abuse:			Criminal Records:	
	Family/Personal Status:		Community Service:		References:		
              Additional Statements:
                             From Applicant:  	From Representation:         	From Congress member:    

                    Other Documentation:  
Pertinent Regulation/Law

A.  Naval Military Personnel Manual, (NAVPERS 15560C), Change 18, effective
12 Dec 97 until 19 May 99, Article 1910-120 (formerly 3620200), SEPARATION BY REASON OF CONVENIENCE OF THE GOVERNMENT - PHYSICAL OR MENTAL CONDITIONS

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.

DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY
NAVAL DISCHARGE REVIEW BOARD (NDRB)
DISCHARGE REVIEW DECISIONAL DOCUMENT

Applicant’s Issues

1.  Desires change of Reenlistment Code.
2.  Desires to have Narrative Reason changed to General, because there is no mention of Personality Disorder in his medical record.

Decision

Date:  20090430		Location:  Washington D.C.	Representation:  

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

Discussion

:   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, specifically the paragraph concerning , regarding .

Issue 2:  ()  .  The Applicant contends he is entitled to a change in the Narrative Reason because there is no mention of a personality disorder in his medical records.  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.  The Applicant’s record of service was marred by one retention warning for violation of the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ):  Article 86 (UA), Article 90 (Willfully disobeying a superior officer) and Article 92 (Failure to obey a regulation) and also contained a diagnosis of Personality Disorder during the psychiatric evaluation conducted on 28 October 1998.  This information was used, and is noted as Enclosure (2) on the command’s request for an administrative discharge dated 16 November 1998.  The Applicant acknowledged the reason for administrative separation via the notification for administrative separation which he signed, and dated, 16 November 1998; it was noted by the NDRB he waived all rights.   Per the Military Personnel Manual (MILPERSMAN) 1910-122 the Applicant could have been separated for the convenience of the government, where the least favorable characterization of service could have been categorized as “General (Under Honorable Conditions)”.   The command did not pursue this and the Applicant was awarded an “Honorable” discharge due to his personality disorder. 

At the time of his evaluation on 29 October 1998, J. S., LT, MSC, USNR diagnosed him with a Personality Disorder Not Otherwise Specified with Antisocial and Narcissistic Features.  LT S. noted that “the member is not considered to be mentally ill, (no medically boardable condition), but manifests a long-standing disorder of character and behavior which is of such severity as to render this individual unsuitable for continued military service in the U. S. Navy.”  LT S. continues, “He is deemed fit to return to duty for immediate processing for administrative separation, which should be handled expeditiously in compliance with NAVMILPERS MANUAL, Chapter 36. It is also recommended that he not have access to any weapon, not operate government vehicles, work with classified materials, nor be involved in field work.”  The Applicant states a post service conversation he had with Dr. D. M. (VAOPC, San Diego, CA), where the doctor was “surprised that his military career was halted abruptly and handled in such a way.”  The NDRB can appreciate Dr. M’s statement however, this post service statement does not negate the diagnosis conducted while the Applicant was an active duty service member.  The NDRB determined the awarded narrative reason was appropriate and a change would be inappropriate. 

The NDRB is authorized to consider post-service factors in the recharacterization of a discharge.  However, there is no law or regulation, which provides 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 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 during Board reviews.  Documentation to help support a post service conduct upgrade includes, but is not limited to:  a verifiable continuous employment record; marriage and children’s birth certificate (if applicable); character witness statements; documentation of community or church service; certification of non-involvement with civil authorities; evidence of financial 
stability or letters of good standing from banks, credit card companies, or other financial institutions; and documentation of a drug free lifestyle.  The Applicant is advised that completion of these items alone does not guarantee the upgrade of an unfavorable discharge, as each discharge is reviewed by the Board on a case by case basis to determine if post-service accomplishments help demonstrate previous in-service misconduct was an aberration and not indicative of the member’s overall character.

The Applicant provided post service medical records, and a copy of his Bachelors Degree.  The Board applauds the Applicant for his success in obtaining his Bachelors Degree in Business Administration, but the post service medical records do not have a bearing on his in-service medical evaluations at the time of his discharge.  To warrant an upgrade the Applicant’s post service efforts need to be more encompassing.  The Applicant could have produced additional evidence as stated in the above paragraph with the full understanding completion of these items alone does not guarantee an upgrade.  Should the Applicant obtain additional evidence or post service documentation he may wish to apply for a personal appearance.  There are veteran’s organizations, such as the American Legion, willing to provide guidance to assist former service members in their efforts to obtain a discharge upgrade.  

After a thorough review of the available evidence, to include the Applicant’s Summary of Service,   Record Entries, Discharge Process and evidence submitted by the Applicant, the Board found 

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 NDRB has no authority to upgrade a discharge for the sole purpose of enhancing employment or educational opportunities.  Regulations limit the NDRB’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 NDRB 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 or is referred to a court martial 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 or for any basis wherein an Other Than Honorable Discharge is authorized, 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 other medical related reasons.  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 NDRB 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 special 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.  The NDRB does not have the jurisdictional authority to review a discharge or dismissal resulting from a general court-martial.

Board Membership:  The names and votes of the members of the NDRB 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