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

 ex-PVT, USMC
Docket No. MD00-00090

Applicant’s Request

The application for discharge review, received 991019, requested that the characterization of service on the discharge be changed to honorable.  The applicant requested a personal appearance hearing before a traveling panel closest to Toledo, Oh.  The applicant did not list representative on the DD Form 293.  In the acknowledgement letter to the applicant, he was informed that the Naval Discharge Review Board (NDRB) first conducts a documentary review prior to any personal appearance hearing. 

Decision

A documentary discharge review was conducted in Washington, D.C. on 000622.  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 Par. 6210.3.

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:

Copy of DD Form 214

PART II - SUMMARY OF SERVICE

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

	Active:   USMC		None
	Inactive: USMCR(J)		940912 - 941114	COG

Period of Service Under Review:

Date of Enlistment:  941115		Date of Discharge:  980629

Length of Service (years, months, days):

	Active:  03  07  14
	Inactive:  None

Age at Entry:  19			Years Contracted:  4 

Education Level:  12			AFQT:  66

Highest Rank:  LCpl

Final Enlisted Performance Evaluation Averages (number of marks):

Proficiency:  4.1 (10)		Conduct:  4.1 (10)

Military Decorations:  None

Unit/Campaign/Service Awards:  NDSM, Meritorious Mast, SSDR, Rifle Marksmanship Badge 

Days of Unauthorized Absence:  None 

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

UNDER OTHER THAN HONORABLE CONDITIONS/MISCONDUCT, authority:  MARCORSEPMAN Par. 6210.3.

Chronological Listing of Significant Service Events:

971203:	NJP for violation of UCMJ, Article 92: Dereliction in the performance of his duties by willfully failing to dispose of hazardous material in a proper manner as it was his duty to do, violation of UCMJ Article 108: willfully destroy, by dumping speedy dry material into a free product recovery well, military property of the United States.
	Award:  Forfeiture of $505.00 per month for 2 months ($505.00 per month for 1 month suspended for 6 months), and extra duty for 45 days, reduction to E-2.  No indication of appeal in the record.

971208:	Counseled for deficiencies in performance and conduct.  [On 971203 you were found guilty at NJP for Violation of Article 92, UCMJ: Dereliction in the performance of your duties by willfully failing to dispose of hazardous material in a proper manner as it was your duty to do and Violation of Article 108, UCMJ: Willfully destroy, by dumping speedy dry material into a free product recovery well, military property of the United States] Necessary corrective actions explained, sources of assistance provided, disciplinary and discharge warning issued

980206:	NJP imposed and suspended on 971203 for a period of 6 months is hereby vacated and the punishment is ordered executed.

980210:	NJP for violation of UCMJ, Article 86: UA (AWOL) on or about 0600, 980202 and 0600, 980203 from bldg 286 for remedial PT.
	Award:  Forfeiture of $300.00 per month for 1 month (suspended for 6 months), reduction to E-1.  No indication of appeal in the record.

980213:	Counseled for deficiencies in performance and conduct.  [On 980210 you were found guilty at NJP for Violation of Article 86: on or about 0600, 980202 and 0600, 980203 you were UA (AWOL) from remedial PT] Necessary corrective actions explained, sources of assistance provided, disciplinary and discharge warning issued

980521:	NJP for violation of UCMJ, Article 86: UA (AWOL), on or about 0600 on 980504, 1100 on 980505, 1100 on 980507, 1130 on 980512, 0600 on 980513, 1130 on 980514, and 1000 on 980515 from Bldg 286 remedial PT.
	Award:  Forfeiture of $100.00 per month for 2 months ($100.00 per month suspended for 6 months), and extra duty for 45 days.  Not appealed.

980608:	Applicant notified of intended recommendation for discharge under other than honorable conditions by reason of misconduct due to a pattern of misconduct and paragraph 6206.2 of the reference, by reason of unsatisfactory performance of duties, specifically, for unwillingness to conform to height/weight standards; the primary reason being misconduct due to a pattern of misconduct.

980608:  	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.

980608:	Commanding officer recommended discharge under other than honorable conditions by reason of misconduct due to a pattern of misconduct.  The factual basis for this recommendation were his NJP’s held on 971203 for violation of Articles 92 and 108 of the UCMJ, 989210 for violation of Article 86, UCMJ, and 980521 for violation of Article 96, UCMJ. 

980611:	SJA review determined the case sufficient in law and fact.

980612:	GCMCA [Commanding General, 2d Force Service Support Group] directed the applicant's discharge under other than honorable conditions by reason of misconduct due to a pattern of misconduct.

PART III – RATIONALE FOR DECISION AND PERTINENT REGULATION/LAW

Discussion

The applicant was discharged on 980629 under other than honorable conditions for misconduct due to a pattern of misconduct (A).  The Board presumed regularity in the conduct of governmental affairs (B).  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 (C and D).

The applicant introduced no decisional issues for consideration by the Board.

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 until Present. 

B.  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.  

C.  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.

D.  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 view DoD Directive 1332.28 and other Decisional Documents by going online at “afls14.jag.af.mil”.  

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
		720 Kennon Street SE Rm 309
		Washington Navy Yard DC  20374-5023