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

 ex-LCpl, USMCR
Docket No. MD99-01085

Applicant’s Request

The application for discharge review, received 990803, requested that the characterization of service on the discharge be changed to honorable.  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 000424.  After a thorough review of the records, supporting documents, facts, and circumstances unique to this case, NDRB discerned an inequity, but no impropriety in the characterization of the applicant’s service.  The Board’s vote was 4 to 1 that the character of the discharge shall change to:  HONORABLE/Unsatisfactory Performance - Unsatisfactory Performance of duties (administrative discharge board not required), authority:  MARCORSEPMAN Par. 6206.3.

PART I - APPLICANT’S ISSUES AND DOCUMENTATION

Issues

Prior to the documentary discharge review, the applicant introduced no issues as block 8 on the DD Form 293 is blank. 

Documentation

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

None

PART II - SUMMARY OF SERVICE

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

	Active:    None
	Inactive:  None

Period of Service Under Review:

Date of Enlistment:  880615		Date of Discharge:  910318

Length of Service (years, months, days):

	Active:    00  05  09
	Inactive:   02  03  23

Age at Entry:  18			Years Contracted:  8

Education Level:  12			AFQT:  88

Highest Rank:  LCpl

Final Enlisted Performance Evaluation Averages (number of marks):

Proficiency:  4.5 (6)			Conduct:  4.4 (6)

Military Decorations:  None

Unit/Campaign/Service Awards: Letter of Appreciation

Days of Unauthorized Absence:  None

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

UNDER HONORABLE CONDITIONS (GENERAL)/Unsatisfactory Performance - Unsatisfactory performance of duties (administrative discharge board not required), authority:  MARCORSEPMAN Par. 6206.3

Chronological Listing of Significant Service Events:

900708	Counseled concerning deficiency, specifically, failure of PRT, advise of assistance available and corrective actions.   Discharge warning issued.

900912:	Applicant failed PRT

901021:	Applicant failed PRT.
901216	Applicant notified of intended recommendation for discharge under honorable conditions (general) by reason of unsatisfactory performance of duties.  The basis for discharge is consistent failure to reach a physical fitness level that would permit you to pass the Marine Corps Physical Fitness Test administered on 3 separate occasions since June 1990.

901216	Applicant advised of his rights and having elected not to consult with counsel certified under UCMJ Article 27B, elected to waive all rights.

910109	Commanding officer recommended discharge under honorable conditions (general) by reason of unsatisfactory performance due to unsatisfactory performance of duties. 

910201	Commanding Officer/Inspector-Instructor, 4th Combat Engineer Battalion, 4th Marine Division], advised [Commanding General, 4th Marine Division (Rein)] concurrence of applicant's recommendation for discharge by reason of unsatisfactory performance due to unsatisfactory participation and characterization of service be under honorable conditions (general).

910213:	SJA review determined the case sufficient in law and fact 

910214:	GCMCA [Commanding General, 4th Marine Division (Rein)] advised the Commandant of the Marine Corps that the applicant's discharge was directed with a under honorable conditions (general) by reason unsatisfactory performance due to unsatisfactory performance of duties.

PART III – RATIONALE FOR DECISION AND PERTINENT REGULATION/LAW

Discussion

The applicant was discharged on 910318 under honorable conditions (general) due to unsatisfactory performance due to weight control failure (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 but inequitable (D and E).

The Board found that the discharge was inequitable based on the applicant’s service record.  The applicant did not have a record of NJPs and had extremely high marks in both proficiency and conduct.  Therefore, the Board grants full relief and the characterization shall be changed to HONORABLE.

Pertinent Regulation/Law (at time of discharge)

A.  Paragraph 6206, UNSATISFACTORY PERFORMANCE, of the Marine Corps Separation and Retirement Manual, (MCO P1900.16D), effective 890627 until 950817, except for subparagraph 1, which was retroactively changed by ALMAR 57/93, effective 920310.

B.  ALMAR 57/93 (CMC 161805Z FEB 93), REVISED ENLISTED SEPARATION POLICY FOR WEIGHT CONTROL FAILURE

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