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

ex-Pvt, USMC
Docket No. MD00-00147

Applicant’s Request

The application for discharge review, received 991102, 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 designate a representative on the DD Form 293.

Decision

A documentary discharge review was conducted in Washington, D.C. on 000727.  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:  BAD CONDUCT DISCHARGE/COURT-MARTIAL, authority: MARCORSEPMAN Par. 1105.

PART I - APPLICANT’S ISSUES AND DOCUMENTATION

Issues

1.  In April of 1997, I made a terrible mistake in not returning from a leave period.  Though there is never any really valid justification for such an act, I would beg your understanding for my situation.  At that particular moment, I myself was still in the process of maturing and, my father became seriously ill.  His lungs had begun to fail him and there was a possibility of his having lung cancer.  His doctor also informed us that he was experiencing heart problems.  Instead of seeking the appropriate help or direction from the Corps, I panicked and ran away.  With the passing of each day my offence became graver as did my fear of returning.

When I finally did realize that only in returning and accepting my responsibility could my life return to sense of normality, I returned.  I traveled to Quantico, Va. And surrendered myself.  Contrary to all the fears that I had held, I was treated with respect and dignity, I can even say that I felt that the men understood what might have caused me to act the way I did.

For this past period of 2 and a half years, a day has not gone by when I did not regret my childish action.  Today I would like to take the first step in fulfilling my unfinished obligation.  With you help and understanding, I would wish to start again.  Several months ago I spoke with a Marine recruiter and we spoke about the possibility of a reenlistment in the reserves.  He told me that there was nothing definite he could say but there might be a chance if I had my discharge and reenlistment code upgraded.  

For this reason I am writing to you to solicit your help and assistance.  

Respectfully, J_ M_ (Applicant)

Documentation

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

Character Reference letter from Medford Police, Capt H_ M. H_, dtd Aug 19, 1999
Letter of Reference from J_ B_, undated
Letter of Reference from C_ A_ dtd Dec 30, 1997
Copy of DD Form 214 (2 copies)
Copy of Applicant's DD Form 1966/1 (Record of Military Processing - Armed Forces of the United States) (2 pages)

PART II - SUMMARY OF SERVICE

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

	Active:    None
	Inactive:  USMCR(J)		951025 - 960819	COG

Period of Service Under Review:

Date of Enlistment:  960820		Date of Discharge:  990301

Length of Service (years, months, days):

	Active:    02  06  12 (Doesn't exclude lost/confinement time)
	Inactive:  None

Age at Entry:  19			Years Contracted:  4 

Education Level:  12			AFQT:  38

Highest Rank:  PFC

Final Enlisted Performance Evaluation Averages (number of marks):

Proficiency:  4.3			Conduct:  4.3

Military Decorations:  None

Unit/Campaign/Service Awards:  Rifle Expert Badge 

Days of Unauthorized Absence:  200 

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

BAD CONDUCT DISCHARGE/COURT-MARTIAL, authority:  MARCORSEPMAN Par. 1105.

Chronological Listing of Significant Service Events:

970402:	On unauthorized absence

971022:	Surrendered to Quantico, VA (200 days)

980113:	Special Court-Martial.
	Charge I:  violation of the UCMJ, Article 86.
	Specification: Did, on 02Apr97, without authority, absence himself from his organization until 22Oct97
	Finding:  to Charge I and the specification thereunder, guilty.
	Sentence:  Reduction to E-1 and a bad conduct discharge.
	CA 980805:  Sentence approved and ordered executed except for the BCD.

980113:	To appellate leave.

981106:	NMCCCR:  Affirmed findings and sentence.

990301:	SSPCMO:  Article 71c, UCMJ, having been complied with, Bad Conduct discharge ordered executed.

PART III – RATIONALE FOR DECISION AND PERTINENT REGULATION/LAW

Discussion

The applicant was discharged on 990301 with a bad conduct discharge which was the sentence adjudged by a properly constituted special court martial that was determined to be legal and proper, affirmed in the legal chain of review and executed (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. 

The Board is limited to reviewing BCD’s for recharacterization of a discharge based on post service conduct, only. The applicant must be aware that there is no law or regulation which provides that an unfavorable discharge may be upgraded based solely on the passage of time, or good conduct in the civilian life subsequent to leaving the service.  Normally, to permit relief, an error or injustice must have been found to have existed during the period of enlistment in question.  Outstanding post-service conduct, to the extent that such matters provide a basis for a more thorough understanding of the applicant’s performance and conduct during the period of service under review, may be considered by the NDRB.  The applicant is reminded that he is eligible for a personal appearance hearing provided the application is received within 15 years from the date of discharge.  Representation at personal appearance hearing is highly recommended.

Pertinent Regulation/Law (at time of discharge)

A.  Paragraph 1105, DISCHARGE ADJUDGED BY SENTENCE OF COURT-MARTIAL, of the Marine Corps Separation and Retirement Manual, (MCO P1900.16E), effective 950818 until 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, 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	

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