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

 ex-Pvt, USMC
Docket No. MD05-00688

Applicant’s Request

The application for discharge review was received on 20050316.  The Applicant requests the characterization of service received at the time of discharge be changed to general/under honorable conditions.  The Applicant requests 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 20050819.  After a thorough review of the records, supporting documents, facts, and circumstances unique to this case, no impropriety or inequity in the characterization of the Applicant’s service was discovered by the NDRB.  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 6210.5.

PART I - APPLICANT’S ISSUES AND DOCUMENTATION

Issues, as stated

Applicant’s issues, as stated on the application:

“I hope to get my RE-CODE changed, and hopefully re-enlist in the United States Marine Corp.”

Documentation

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

Applicant’s DD Form 214 (Member 4), reissued 040503

PART II - SUMMARY OF SERVICE

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

	Active:   None
	Inactive: USMCR(J)		991020 - 991108	COG

Period of Service Under Review:

Date of Enlistment:  991109		Date of Discharge:  010917

Length of Service (years, months, days):

	Active:    01  10  09
	Inactive:  None

Age at Entry:  17 (Parental Consent)Years Contracted:  4 

Education Level:  12			AFQT:  32

Highest Rank:  PFC			MOS:  3531

Final Enlisted Performance Evaluation Averages (number of marks):

Proficiency:  4.1 (6)			Conduct:  4.1 (6)

Military Decorations:  None

Unit/Campaign/Service Awards:  None

Days of Unauthorized Absence:  None

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

UNDER OTHER THAN HONORABLE CONDITIONS/MISCONDUCT, authority:  MARCORSEPMAN 6210.5.

Chronological Listing of Significant Service Events:

991015:	Chief, Bureau of Medicine recommended waiver of physical standard for enlistment.  Applicant had history of asthma.  Waiver approved by Commanding Officer, Marine Corps Recruiting Command on 991018.

991019:	Applicant briefed upon and certified understanding of Marine Corps policy concerning illegal use of drugs.

991109:	Weight-waiver approved.

010619:	Applicant’s submitted a written confession of his use of marijuana “February 5 to June 8.”

010706:	NJP for violation of UCMJ, Article 112a:
Specification:  At Camp Pendleton, or in the civilian community, on diverse occasions, did use marijuana.  
Awarded forfeiture of $482.00 per month for 2 months, restriction and extra duties for 45 days.  Reduction in rate to E-1.  Not appealed.

010802:	Naval Addictions Rehabilitation and Education Department Naval Hospital:  Applicant refused evaluation prior to discharge.  Applicant admitted use of “marijuana, coke, ecstasy twice a week.”  Applicant acknowledged understanding of availability of VA treatment.

010806:	Applicant notified of intended recommendation for discharge under other than honorable conditions by reason of misconduct due to drug abuse as evidenced by your verbal and written statement that you had used marijuana on repeated occasions.

010806:	Applicant advised of rights and having consulted with counsel, elected to waive all rights except the right to obtain copies of the documents used to support the basis for the separation.

010816:	Commanding Officer, 1st Combat Engineer Battalion, recommended to Commanding General, 1st Marine Division (REIN), Applicant be discharged under other than honorable conditions by reason of misconduct due to drug abuse.  The factual basis for this recommendation was the verbal and written statement that the applicant had used marijuana on repeated occasions.  Commanding Officer’s comments (verbatim):  On 19 Jun 01, during a interview, Private First Class B_ (Applicant) willfully made a verbal and written statement to 1st Sgt M_, that he has used marijuana in the Marine Corps on many occasions.  On 6 July 2001… [the Applicant] stated he had used it [marijuana] the previous weekend.  At that time, Private B_  consented to provide a voluntary urine sample.  The results of the voluntary urinalysis was negative.  On 2 August 2001 drug paraphernalia (papers, ecstasy necklace, etc.) was found in Private B_’s room during a field-day inspection.  PMO arrived on the scene, confiscated the paraphernalia, but made no arrest.
	Private B_ (Applicant) is a below average Maine.  Along with his admitted regular drug use, he is currently on weight control.  I have met and talked with him on several occasions.  Private B_ (Applicant) is indifferent about being a Marine and cannot/will not affirm that his illegal drug use is over.

010821:	SJA review determined the case sufficient in law and fact.

010821:	Commander, 1st Marine Division (Rein), advised the Commandant of the Marine Corps (MMSB), Headquarters, that the Applicant will be discharged under other than honorable conditions by reason of misconduct due to drug abuse.

PART III – RATIONALE FOR DECISION AND PERTINENT REGULATION/LAW

Discussion

The Applicant was discharged on 20010917 under other than honorable conditions for misconduct due to drug abuse (A).  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 (B and C).

There is credible evidence in the record that the Applicant used illegal drugs.  Mandatory processing for separation is required for Marines who abuse illegal drugs.  Separation under these conditions generally results in characterization of service under other than honorable conditions.  The evidence of record does not demonstrate that the Applicant was not responsible for his conduct or that he should not be held accountable for his actions.  The Applicant’s violation of the special consideration given to the Applicant in light of the Applicant’s weight and medical waivers was dually noted by the Board.  Relief denied.

Since the NDRB has no jurisdiction over reenlistment, reentry, or reinstatement into the Navy, Marine Corps, or any other of the Armed Forces, NDRB is not authorized to change a reenlistment code.  An unfavorable “RE” code is, in itself, not a bar to reenlistment.  A request for a waiver can be submitted during the processing of a formal application for reenlistment through a recruiter.  Only the Board for Correction of Naval Records (BCNR) can make changes to reenlistment codes.

The Applicant remains eligible for a personal appearance hearing, provided an application is received, at the NDRB, within 15 years from the date of discharge.  Representation at a personal appearance hearing is recommended but not required.

Pertinent Regulation/Law (at time of discharge)

A.  Paragraph 6210, MISCONDUCT, of the Marine Corps Separation and Retirement Manual, (MCO P1900.16E), effective 31 Jan 97 until 31 August 2001. 

B.  Secretary of the Navy Instruction 5420.174D of 22 December 2004, Naval Discharge Review Board (NDRB) Procedures and Standards, Part V, Para 502, Propriety.

C.  Secretary of the Navy Instruction 5420.174D of 22 December 2004, Naval Discharge Review Board (NDRB) Procedures and Standards, Part V, Para 503, Equity.

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 “http://Boards.law.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:

		Secretary of the Navy 	Council of Review Boards
		Attn:  Naval Discharge Review Board
		720 Kennon Street SE Rm 309
		Washington Navy Yard DC  20374-5023