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

 ex-PFC, USMC
Docket No. MD00-00596

Applicant’s Request

The application for discharge review, received 000405, requested that the characterization of service on the discharge be changed to honorable and the reason for the discharge be changed to convenience government and Reenlistment code change to RE-2.  The applicant requested a documentary record discharge review.  The applicant did not list a representative on the DD Form 293.

Decision

A documentary discharge review was conducted in Washington, D.C. on 001102.  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 unanimous that the reason shall remain the same and the character of the discharge shall change to:  HONORABLE/PERSONALITY DISORDER, authority: MARCORSEPMAN Par. 6203.3

PART I - APPLICANT’S ISSUES AND DOCUMENTATION

Issues (verbatim)

1.  My Average Conduct and efficiency Ratings/behavior and Proficiency Marks were good (or Pretty Good).

2.  I have been a good citizen since Discharge.

3.  My ability to serve was impaired by personal problems, my youth and immaturity.

Documentation

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

Copy of DD Form 214 (3 copies)
Copy of details of issues (2 copies)
Copy of Certificate of Excellence (2 copies)
Copy of Certificate of Rank dated October 2, 1996 (2 copies)
Copy of Certificate of training dated November 26, 1996 (2 copies)
Copy of Photograph and copy
Copy of Certificate of Completion dated May 15, 1998 (2 copies)
Copy of Certificate of Peer Mediation dated March 23, 1998 (2 copies)
Copy of acceptance letter to Colorado State University dated March 7, 1998 (2 copies)
Character reference dated January 6, 1998 (2 copies)
Character reference dated December 22, 1997 (2 copies)
Character reference dated December 21, 1997 (2 copies)
Character reference dated December 24, 1997 (2 copies)
Employment reference dated May 17, 1998 (2 copies)
Character reference dated May 6, 1999 (2 copies)
Character reference from Southwest Youth Corps, undated
Acceptance letter from Fort Lewis College dated January 22, 1999 (2 copies)
Copy of Fort Lewis College transcript dated December 21, 1999 (2 copies)
Fifty-eight pages from applicant's medical/dental records
Sixty-six pages from applicant's medical records

PART II - SUMMARY OF SERVICE

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

	Active:   None
	Inactive: USMCR(J)		951030 - 960527	COG

Period of Service Under Review:

Date of Enlistment:  960528		Date of Discharge:  970603

Length of Service (years, months, days):

	Active:    01  00  06
	Inactive:  None

Age at Entry:  20			Years Contracted:  4

Education Level:  12			AFQT:  52

Highest Rank:  PFC

Final Enlisted Performance Evaluation Averages (number of marks):

Proficiency:  4.5 (4)			Conduct:  4.5 (4)

Military Decorations:  None

Unit/Campaign/Service Awards:  None 

Days of Unauthorized Absence:  None

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

GENERAL (UNDER HONORABLE CONDITIONS)/PERSONALITY DISORDER, authority:  MARCORSEPMAN Par. 6203.3.

Chronological Listing of Significant Service Events:

970320:	Admitted to Naval Hospital, Okinawa, Japan after suicide attempt.

970327:	Discharged from Naval Hospital.
970326:	Medical evaluation by a military psychiatrist concluded that the applicant’s personality disorder was so severe that her ability to function effectively in the military environment was significantly impaired.

	AXIS I: Occupational problems
		  Partner relational problems

	AXIS II: Borderline personality disorder

	AXIS III: Status post over-dose (resolved).
 
970409:	Applicant notified of intended recommendation for discharge under honorable conditions (general) for the convenience of the government due to a personality disorder, based upon a diagnosed personality disorder as evidenced by psychiatric evaluation.

970409:  	Applicant advised of her 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.

970409:	Commanding officer recommended discharge under honorable conditions (general) for the convenience of the government due to a personality disorder, based upon a diagnosed personality disorder.  The factual basis for this recommendation was diagnosed personality disorder.  

970424:	Commanding General, III Marine Expeditionary Force authorized transfer to Commanding Officer, Separations Company, Headquarters and Support Battalion, Marine Corps Base, Camp Pendleton, CA for administrative separation.

PART III – RATIONALE FOR DECISION AND PERTINENT REGULATION/LAW

Discussion

The applicant was discharged on 970603 general (under honorable conditions) for convenience of the government due to a personality disorder (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 voted unanimously that the reason shall remain the same and that the discharge was proper but inequitable (D and E).

In the applicant’s issue 1, the Board found that the applicant’s proficiency and conduct marks were well above average.  The Board also noted the fact that the applicant did not have any misconduct or counseling’s in her service record.  The Board voted unanimously to upgrade the discharge to honorable based on her service record and her post service accomplishments.  Relief is therefore granted.

In response to the applicant’s issue 2, the Board did take into account the applicant’s post service accomplishments when they voted unanimously to upgrade the applicant’s characterization to HONORABLE.

The applicant states that she was young and immature and had personal problems.  The Board found that these issues were considered when she was discharged from the Marine Corps, but it is not a basis to upgrade her discharge.  No relief will be granted based on this issue. 

The applicant’s request to have the reason changed was denied since the Board found the applicant was properly discharged for Personality Disorder and any other reason for discharge would be inappropriate.  No relief is granted for a reason change.

Pertinent Regulation/Law (at time of discharge)

A.  Paragraph 6203, CONVENIENCE OF THE GOVERNMENT, of the Marine Corps Separation and Retirement Manual, (MCO P1900.16E), effective 18 Aug 95 until Present.

B.  Table 6-1, Guide for Characterization of Service, of the Marine Corps Separation and Retirement Manual, (MCO P1900.16E), effective 18 Aug 95 until Present.

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