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

 ex-Pvt, USMC
Docket No. MD99-00473

Applicant’s Request

The application for discharge review, received 990217, requested that the characterization of service on the discharge be changed to honorable and the reason for the discharge be changed to change RE Codes.  The applicant requested a documentary record discharge review.  The applicant did not list any representative on the DD Form 293.

Decision

A documentary discharge review was conducted in Washington, D.C. on 991213.  After a thorough review of the records, supporting documents, facts, and circumstances unique to this case, NDRB discerned no impropriety or inequity in the characterization of the applicant’s service.  The Board’s vote was unanimous that the character of the discharge shall not change.  The discharge shall remain: UNDER OTHER THAN HONORABLE CONDITIONS/MISCONDUCT, authority: MARCORSEPMAN 6210.5.

PART I - APPLICANT’S ISSUES AND DOCUMENTATION

Issues

When I was in the Marine Corps I got into methanphetimines and other drugs real bad, I’ve got my head back on my shoulders straight and I would like to get my Reenlistment Codes changed from A:  RE4B to A:  1A 2A 3A 3B 

I'm ready to go back to serving my country like all citizens should do.  Thank you I have applied already to join the Active Army

Documentation

In addition to the service record, the following additional documentation, submitted by the applicant, was considered:

Statement from applicant dated February 24, 1999
Copy of DD Form 214 (Member 1 and 4)

PART II - SUMMARY OF SERVICE

Prior Service (component, dates of service, type of discharge):

	Active:   None
	Inactive:  USMCR(J)		960306 - 961008	COG

Period of Service Under Review:

Date of Enlistment:  961009		Date of Discharge:  980615

Length of Service (years, months, days):

	Active:    01  08  07
	Inactive:  None

Age at Entry:  17			Years Contracted:  4

Education Level:  12			AFQT:  52

Highest Rank:  PFC

Final Enlisted Performance Evaluation Averages (number of marks):

Proficiency:  3.6 (4)			Conduct:  3.5 (5)

Military Decorations:  None

Unit/Campaign/Service Awards:  None 

Days of Unauthorized Absence:  None

Character, Narrative Reason, and Authority of Discharge (at time of issuance):

UNDER OTHER THAN HONORABLE CONDITIONS/MISCONDUCT, authority:  MARCORSEPMAN 6210.5.

Chronological Listing of Significant Service Events:

960224:	Applicant briefed upon and certified understanding of Marine Corps policy concerning illegal use of drugs.

971104:	NAVDRUGLAB [San Diego, CA], reported applicant’s urine sample, received 971024, and tested positive for THC.

980105:	Medical evaluation for alcohol/drug abuse found the applicant to be alcohol dependent, polysubstance dependent and to have a personality disorder.   

980106:	NJP for violation of UCMJ, Article 112a:
Specification: Wrongfully use a controlled substance.
Awarded forfeiture of $450.00 per month for 2 months, restriction and extra duties for 45 days, reduction to Pvt.  Not appealed.

980106:	Counseled for deficiencies in performance and conduct.  [Violations of the UCMJ resulting in articles nonjudicial punishment proceedings.  Failure to abide by the Article 112a, specifically unlawful use of a controlled substance.  Necessary corrective actions explained, sources of assistance provided, disciplinary and discharge warning issued.

980424:	NJP for violation of UCMJ, Article 86:
Specification: Fail to go at the time prescribed to appointed place of duty on 0545-0700, 22Apr98.
Awarded forfeiture of $200.00 per month for 1 month, restriction and extra duties for 14 days.  Forfeiture suspended for 1 month.  Not appealed.

980424:	Applicant notified of intended recommendation for discharge under other than honorable conditions by reason of misconduct due to drug abuse.

980424:	Applicant advised of his rights and having elected not to consult with counsel certified under UCMJ Article 27B, elected to waive all rights except the right to obtain copies of the documents used to support the basis for the separation.

980522:	Commanding officer recommended discharge under other than honorable conditions by reason of misconduct due to drug abuse.  The factual basis for this recommendation was use of THC.

980615:	GCMCA [Commanding General, 1st Marine Division (Rein)] directed the applicant's discharge under other than honorable conditions by reason of misconduct due to drug abuse.

PART III – RATIONALE FOR DECISION AND PERTINENT REGULATION/LAW

Discussion

The applicant was discharged on 980615 under other than honorable conditions for misconduct due to drug abuse (A and B).  The Board presumed regularity in the conduct of governmental affairs (C).  After a thorough review of the records, supporting documents, facts, and circumstances unique to this case, the Board found that the discharge was proper and equitable (D and E).

The applicant’s issue is to have his reenlistment code changed from RE-4.   The NDRB has no authority to change reenlistment codes or make recommendations to permit reentry into the naval service or any other of the Armed Forces.  The NDRB has no jurisdiction over reenlistment, reentry, or reinstatement into the Navy or Marine Corps.  Reenlistment policy of the Marine Corps is promulgated by the Commandant, United States Marine Corps, Code MMPE‑5, Washington, DC  20380-3001.  Neither a less than fully honorable discharge nor an unfavorable "RE" code is, in itself, a bar to reenlistment.  A request for a waiver is normally done only during the processing of a formal application for enlistment through a recruiter.  A review of the applicant’s service record was conducted and the Board determined that the discharge awarded was appropriate.  No relief is warranted.

Pertinent Regulation/Law (at time of discharge)

A.  Paragraph 6210, MISCONDUCT, of the Marine Corps Separation and Retirement Manual, (MCO P1900.16E), effective 18 Aug 95 to Present. 

B.  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].

C.  Secretary of the Navy Instruction 5420.174C of 22 August 1984 (Manual for Discharge Review, 1984), enclosure (1), Chapter 2, AUTHORITY/POLICY FOR DEPARTMENTAL DISCHARGE REVIEW.  

D.  Secretary of the Navy Instruction 5420.174C of 22 August 1984 (Manual for Discharge Review, 1984), enclosure (1), Chapter 9, paragraph 9.2, PROPRIETY OF THE DISCHARGE.

E.  Secretary of the Navy Instruction 5420.174C of 22 August 1984 (Manual for Discharge Review, 1984), enclosure (1), Chapter 9, paragraph 9.3, EQUITY OF THE DISCHARGE.

PART IV - INFORMATION FOR THE APPLICANT

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 Directive 1332.28, you may submit a complaint in accordance with Enclosure (5) of that Directive.  You should read Enclosure (5) of the Directive 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 obtain a copy of DoD Directive 1332.28 by writing to:

		DA Military Review Boards Agency
		Management Information and Support Directorate
		Armed Forces Reading Room
		Washington, D.C.  20310-1809

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:

		Naval Council of Personnel Boards
		Attn:  Naval Discharge Review Board
		Washington Navy Yard
		720 Kennon Street SE Rm 309
		Washington, D.C.  20374-5023