ADMINISTRATIVE SEPARATIONS Members of the naval service may be separated administratively for many reasons. Some separations are characterized and some are not. We will discuss the different types of characterized and uncharacterized separations. Any  member  being  separated,  except  those separated  for  immediate  reenlistment,  must  be  advised of the purpose and authority of the Naval Discharge Review Board (NDRB) and the Board for Correction of Naval Records (BCNR) at the time of processing for such a separation. Characterized  Separations Separations are characterized as honorable, general (under  honorable  conditions),  or  under  other  than honorable  (OTH)  conditions. HONORABLE.—  An  honorable  separation  is  with honor. The quality of the member’s service has met the standards of acceptable conduct and performance of duty  or  is  otherwise  so  meritorious  that  any  other characteization  would  be  clearly  inappropriate. An honorable separation requires a minimum final average for the current enlistment in performance and conduct  marks  of  2.8  and  a  minimum  average  in personal behavior of 3.0. A   member   who   would   be   eligible   for   a charactrization of service as general may receive an honorable  discharge  if  he  or  she  was  awarded  certain personal decorations. These personal decorations could be,  for  example,   the   Medal   of   Honor,   Navy Commendation,  or  Navy  Achievement  Medal. GENERAL (UNDER HONORABLE CONDITIONS).—  The general characterization is proper  when  service  has  been  honest  and  faithful. However, significant negative aspects of the member’s conduct  or  performance  of  duty  outweigh  the  positive aspects. A characterization of separation as general is under honorable conditions and entitles the member to all  veterans’  benefits.  A  member  would  be  eligible  for a  characterization  of  separation  as  general  if  the member’s final average for performance and conduct marks fall below 2.8 and below 3.0 in personal behavior. UNDER   OTHER   THAN   HONORABLE CONDITIONS.—  A  characterization  of  OTH  is appropriate  when  the  reason  for  separation  is  based  upon a pattern of adverse behavior or one or more acts that arc  a  significant  departure  from  the  conduct  expected from members of the naval service. Persons who receive an OTH discharge are not entitled  to  retain  their  uniforms  or  wear  them  home. However, they may be furnished civilian clothing at a cost  of  not  more  than  $50.  They  must  accept transportation in kind to their home of record. They are not eligible for notice of discharge to employers. The  Department  of  Veterans  Affairs  makes  its  own determination with respect to the benefits as to whether the  discharge  was  under  conditions  other  than honorable. Uncharacterized Separations These types of separations are separations that, due to the short duration of service, are uncharacterized. ENTRY LEVEL SEPARATION.— A member in an  entry  level  status  (first  180  days  of  a  period  of continuous active military service) will ordinarily be separated with an entry level separation (ELS). The exceptions to this are (1) when characterization under OTH conditions is authorized under the reason for separation and is warranted by the circumstances of the case and (2) when characterization as honorable is clearly   warranted   by   the   presence   of   unusual circumstances   involving   personal   conduct   and performance  of  duty. These types of cases must be approved by the Secretary of the Navy (SECNAV). VOID  ENLISTMENT  OR  INDUCTION.—  A member whose enlistment or induction is void will not receive  a  discharge  certificate,  characterization  of service, or an ELS. The separation will be an order of release from custody and control of  the Navy. Reasons supporting a void enlistment include the following: . Enlistment without the voluntary consent of a person  who  has  the  capacity  to  understand  the significance  of  enlisting.  This  may  include  enlistment of a person who was intoxicated or insane at the time of enlistment. It may also include a person who was coerced into enlisting by being presented with the option of enlisting or going to jail. l Person under the age of 17. .  Deserter  from  another  service. BASES FOR SEPARATING ENLISTED PERSONNEL This  section  lists  the  types  of  separations  available for  the  particular  bases  of  separation,  the  applicable procedures,  including  counseling  where  required,  and defines these bases in general terms. Figure 9-1 shows 9-2