ex-LT, USN

Current Discharge and Applicant’s Request

Application Received: 20091015
Characterization of Service Received:  
Narrative Reason for Discharge:  
Authority for Discharge:  SECNAVINST 1920.6C

Applicant’s Request:	Characterization change to:	
	Narrative Reason change to:	REMOVE COURT MARTIAL

Summary of Service

Prior Service:
Inactive:	USNR (DEP)	19931230 - 19940208  	Active:		19940209 - 19971009  
					19971010 - 20001215  To accept commission

Period of Service Under Review:
Date of Appointment:  20001216	Age at Enlistment:  
Years Contracted:  Indefinite
Date of Discharge:  20080319	Highest Rank:  LT
Length of Service:   Year(s)     Month(s)   04 Day(s)
Education Level:  	AFQT:  90
Officer’s Fitness Reports:  Available
Awards and Decorations (per DD 214):	 (4)   (4)    (4) OSWI OAWI

Periods of UA/CONF:  UA:  20071016-20071019, 4 days / CONF:  20071204-20080318, 106 days

NJP:  

- 20070824:	Article  (Failure to obey order or regulation)
	Awarded:  PUNITIVE LETTER  Suspended:    [Extracted from Fitness Report and Counseling Record dated 20080318.]

SCM:  	SPCM:  

CC:  

- 20071203:	Offense:  Driving under the influence of a self-administered intoxicant, Leaving the scene of an accident, Deliberate inhale of a noxious chemical substance with the intent to become intoxicated, inebriated, excited, or stupefied
	Sentence:  Jail 120 days 20071020-20071203, 49 days (60 days suspended for one year), fine $250.00

Retention Warning Counseling:  

Administrative Corrections to the Applicant’s DD 214

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

	  “00DEC15”
	  “07  03  04”
	Block 18, Remarks, should read: “Continuous honorable active service from 19940209 to 20001215”
	  “SECNAVINST 1920.6C”

The NDRB will recommend to the Commander, Navy Personnel Command, that the DD 214 be corrected as appropriate.

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:		Rehabilitation/Treatment:		Criminal Records:	
	Personal Documentation:		Community Service:		References:	
	Department of VA letter:		Other Documentation:	
		Additional Statements:
	From Applicant:		From/To Representation:		From/To Congress member:	

Pertinent Regulation/Law

A.  Secretary of the Navy Instruction 1920.6C (ADMINISTRATIVE SEPARATION OF OFFICERS), effective 
15 December 2005 until PRESENT establishes policies, standards and procedures for the administrative separation of Navy and Marine Corps officers from the naval service in accordance with Title 10, United States Code and DoD Directive 1332.30 of 
14 March 1997.

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.	The Applicant contends his mental state and life circumstances mitigate his misconduct.

Decision

Date:  20110106    	Location:  Washington D.C.	Representation:  

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

Discussion

The NDRB, under its responsibility to examine the propriety and equity of an Applicant’s discharge, is authorized to change the character of service and the reason for discharge if such change is warranted.  In reviewing discharges, the Board presumes regularity in the conduct of governmental affairs unless there is substantial credible evidence to rebut the presumption, to include evidence submitted by the Applicant.  The Applicant’s record of service included    for  of the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ): Article 92 (Failure to obey an order or regulation, 1 specification) and one civil conviction for driving under the influence of a self-administered intoxicant, deliberate inhalation of a noxious chemical substance with the intent to become intoxicated, and leaving the scene of an accident.  The Applicant also had a pre-service drug waiver for using marijuana  prior to entering the Navy.  The Applicant requested separation in lieu of trial by court-martial (SILT), which was approved on 18 March 2008.  In order to obtain approval for a SILT request, service members must have been afforded the opportunity to consult with a qualified counsel and submit a written statement.  They must also fully understand the elements of the offenses for which they were charged and must admit their guilt.  They further certify a complete understanding of the negative consequences of their actions and that characterization of service could be Under Other Than Honorable Conditions (OTH), which might deprive them of virtually all veterans' benefits based upon their current enlistment, and that they might expect to encounter substantial prejudice in civilian life in situations wherein the type of service rendered or the character of discharge received therefrom may have a bearing.  Upon approval of the Applicant’s SILT request, he was separated with an Under Other Than Honorable characterization of service.

The Applicant provided documentation that included: military service records, civilian court records, and VA records.  The Applicant should be aware submission of these items does not guarantee an upgrade from an unfavorable discharge as each discharge is reviewed by the Board on a case-by-case basis.

:  (Decisional) () .  The Applicant contends his mental state and life circumstances mitigate his misconduct of record.  Medical documentation clearly shows the Applicant was diagnosed as Bi-polar, was suffering from Major Depressive Disorder, and had significant problems with addiction to inhalants.  The NDRB also recognizes the Applicant was facing considerable stress in his life due to various family problems and conflicts at work.  However, the NDRB found the Applicant’s mental state and personal problems did not mitigate his misconduct due to its magnitude and repeated nature.  Additionally, the Applicant provided no evidence he recognizes his misconduct was wrong, or that he has taken any action to turn his life around and live responsibly.  An upgrade would be inappropriate.  The NDRB will recommend to Commander, Navy Personnel Command, that the Applicant’s DD 214 be corrected to reflect continuous honorable active service from 19940209 to 20001215.

Summary:  After a thorough review of the available evidence, to include the Applicant’s summary of service,  record entries, and discharge process, the Board found   Therefore, the awarded characterization of service shall   and the narrative reason for separation shall remain .

The Applicant remains eligible for a personal appearance hearing for a period of fifteen years from the date of  discharge.  The Applicant is directed to the Addendum, specifically the paragraphs titled Additional Reviews, Automatic Upgrades, and Post-Service Conduct. 

ADDENDUM:  Information for the Applicant

Complaint Procedures:  If you believe 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:  After a document review has been conducted, former members are eligible for a personal appearance hearing, provided the application is received at the NDRB within 15 years of the Applicant’s 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.  There are veterans organizations such as the American Legion and the Disabled American Veterans that are willing to provide guidance to former service members in their efforts to obtain a discharge upgrade.  If a former member has been discharged for more than 15 years, has already been granted a personal appearance hearing or has otherwise exhausted their 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 U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) determines eligibility for post-service benefits, not the NDRB.  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 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 is processed subsequently for an administrative involuntary separation or is referred to a court martial for misconduct, the disability evaluation is suspended 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 BCNR can grant this type of narrative reason change.

Automatic Upgrades - There is no law or regulation that provides for an unfavorable discharge to be upgraded based solely on the passage of time or good conduct subsequent to leaving naval service.

Post-Service Conduct:  The NDRB is authorized to consider post-service factors in the recharacterization of a discharge.  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 support a post-service conduct upgrade includes, but is not limited to: a verifiable continuous employment record; marriage and children’s birth certificates (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; attendance at or completion of higher education (official transcripts); 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  in-service misconduct was an aberration and not indicative of the member’s overall character.

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