It reflects that the Veteran had been counseled numerous times for failure to complete training in submarines . In sum , the service personnel records reflect that the Veteran had performance and attitude problems for more than a year prior to discharge , and prior to his claimed in - service stressors of serving aboard a submarine . Rather than reflect that the Veteran was overworked and solely responsible for certain aspects of his job as a parts repair personnel , it reflects that he was unproductive and needed constant supervision . The Veteran has asserted that in April 1976 , he was in fear for his life due to a drill which he believed was an actual imminent collision with an enemy vessel . A Defense Personal