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

 ex-LCpl, USMC
Docket No. MD00-00112

Applicant’s Request

The application for discharge review, received 991028, requested that the characterization of service on the discharge be changed to general/under honorable conditions.  The applicant requested a documentary record discharge review.  The applicant did not list any on the DD Form 293.

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 CONDITIONS OTHER THAN HONORABLE/Misconduct-Absent without leave (admin discharge board required but waived), authority: MARCORSEPMAN Par. 6210.6.

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: USMCR(J)		780726 - 781023	COG

Period of Service Under Review:

Date of Enlistment:  781024		Date of Discharge:  930709

Length of Service (years, months, days):

	Active:    01  08  02 (excludes UA)
	Inactive:  None

Age at Entry:  19			Years Contracted:  3

Education Level:  12			AFQT: 28

Highest Rank:  Cpl

Final Enlisted Performance Evaluation Averages (number of marks):

Proficiency:  N/A			Conduct:  N/A

Military Decorations:  None

Unit/Campaign/Service Awards:  None 

Days of Unauthorized Absence:  4725

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

UNDER CONDITIONS OTHER THAN HONORABLE /Misconduct-Absent without leave (admin discharge board required but waived), authority:  MARCORSEPMAN Par. 6210.6.

Chronological Listing of Significant Service Events:

800525:	Applicant to unauthorized absence, 0730, 25May80.

930429:	Applicant in hands of Dallas County police at 1251, 30Mar93 and delivered to military authorities 1910, 29Apr93 (4722 days/apprehended).

930430:	Applicant to confinement.

930609:	Applicant from confinement and to duty.

930517:	Commanding officer recommended discharge under condition other than honorable by reason of misconduct due to the commission of a serious offense as evidenced by his being absent without leave 0730, 25May80 until 30Apr93 (4725 days/apprehended).  

930517:	Applicant notified of intended recommendation for discharge under condition other than honorable by reason of misconduct due to the commission of a serious offense as evidenced by being absent without leave from 0730, 25May80 until 1910, 30Apr93.

930520:  	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.

930706:	GCMCA [Commanding General, Marine Corps Base, Camp Lejeune] directed the applicant's discharge under conditions other than honorable by reason of misconduct due to the commission of a serious offense.

PART III – RATIONALE FOR DECISION AND PERTINENT REGULATION/LAW

Discussion

The applicant was discharged on 930709 under conditions other than honorable for misconduct due to the commission of a serious offense (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 introduced no decisional issues for consideration by the Board.

Pertinent Regulation/Law (at time of discharge)

A.  Marine Corps Separation and Retirement Manual, (MCO P1900.16D), effective 890627 until 950817, Paragraph 6210, Misconduct.

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, Article [ e.g., Article 86, unauthorized absence for more than 30 days].

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 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