ex-, USMCR
MD06-00946

Current Discharge and Applicant’s Request:

Application Received:  				20060703
Characterization of Service:			
Narrative Reason for Separation:			
Discharge Authority:				MARCORSEPMAN 6210.5 and 6209
Last Duty Assignment/Command at Discharge:	matsg-21 nas pensacola

Applicant’s Request:	
	Narrative Reason change to: 		
	Characterization change to:		
	Review Requested:			
Representation:  					CIVILIAN COUNSEL

Decision:

Date of Decision:					20070628
Location of Board:				Washington D.C.
Complete Service Record:				YES
Complete Medical Record:			YES
Complete Discharge Package:			NO
Regarding propriety, the Board found the discharge:	
Regarding equity, the Board found the discharge:	EQUITABLE

By a vote of  the Characterization shall  GENERAL (UNDER HONORABLE CONDITIONS).
By a vote of  the Narrative Reason shall  MISCONDUCT.

Summary of Service:

Prior Service:
Inactive: USMCR (DEP)				20011017 - 20020210  
Active:   

Period of Service Under Review:
Date of Enlistment:  				20020211
Years Contracted:  				
Date of Discharge:				20030514
Length of Service
	Active:					01  Yrs  03  Mths  04  Dys  (Does not exclude lost time)
Time Lost During This Period:			
		
Education Level:  				
Age at this Enlistment:  				
AFQT:  						62
MOS:						6000
Highest Rank:					E-2

Proficiency/Conduct marks (# of occasions):		NONE IN RECORD 

Awards and Decorations (as listed on the DD Form 214):	
NATIONAL DEFENSE SERVICE MEDAL, RIFLE MARKSMANSHIP BADGE

Service Record Entries Related to Characterization of Service or Narrative Reason for Separation

20011010:	Applicant briefed on and certified understanding of Marine Corps policy concerning illegal use of drugs.

20021018:	NJP for violation(s) of UCMJ:
	Article 112a:  On or about 20020903, wrongfully use cocaine.
	Award:  Forfeiture of $552.00 for 2 months, restriction for 60 days, reduction to E-1.
	Not appealed.

20021104:	Counseling:  Advised of deficiencies in performance and conduct.  Your illegal drug involvement, cocaine usage, identified through urinalysis confirmed by Navy Drug Lab Jacksonville, FL message 122335Z Sep02.  On 20021018 you were the subject of nonjudicial punishment proceedings concerning your violations of article 112a of the UCMJ.  Necessary corrective actions explained, sources of assistance provided, disciplinary and discharge warning issued.

20030219:	Counseling:  Advised of deficiencies in performance and conduct.  On 20030212 you were in violation of Article 92 by failing to obey a verbal and written order to have in your possession your SRB and medical records for a SARP screening.  Necessary corrective actions explained, sources of assistance provided, disciplinary and discharge warning issued.

Medical Record Entries Related to Characterization of Service or Narrative Reason for Separation

20021022:	Applicant refused any and all substance abuse treatment offered by the United States Navy/United States Marine Corps.

20030213:	Substance Abuse Rehabilitation Program:  Applicant referred for screening due to verification of 20021021 diagnosis of alcohol dependence.
	Substance Abuse History:  Applicant report using alcohol on the average of 7 days per week  Applicant reported a history of binge use and reported a history of blackouts.  Applicant reported using the following additional substances:  previous use of marijuana and positive urinalysis for cocaine.
	Recommendations:  Intensive outpatient.

20030314:	Applicant to Level II Intensive Outpatient treatment.

20030404:	Applicant successfully completed the formal portion of the treatment program.  A recommended Aftercare Plan was developed and applicant was given a copy. 

Elements of Discharge:  [INVOLUNTARY]

Discharge Process:				ADMINISTRATIVE BOARD
Date Notified:					NOT FOUND IN RECORD
Basis for Discharge:				MISCONDUCT DUE TO DRUG ABUSE
Least Favorable Characterization:			
Commanding Officer’s Intended Recommendation:	
Record Supports Narrative Reason:			YES

Date Applicant Responded to Notification:		NOT FOUND IN RECORD     
Rights Elected at Notification:			NOT FOUND IN RECORD
Consult with Counsel				
Administrative Board				
Obtain Copies	  				
Submit Statement(s) (date)				
Administrative Board				

Recommendation of Commanding Officer (date):	NOT FOUND IN RECORD
SJA review (date):				  
Discharge directed by (date):	COMCABEAST (20030512)
Narrative Reason directed:				NONE FOUND IN RECORD
Characterization directed:				 (UNDER HONORABLE CONDITIONS)
Date Applicant Discharged:			20030514

Additional Information Considered by Board

Type of documentation submitted by the Applicant and considered by the Board
       
       	Document Type					#Pages
       Related to Period of Service Under Review:
	Service/Medical Record:				9
	Other Period of Service:				0
       Related to Post-Service Period:
	Community Service:				0
	Education:					0
	Employment:					0
	Health/Medical:					0
	Character Statements:				4
	Criminal Records Checks:				0
	Additional Statements from Applicant:		6
        Other Documentation (Describe Below)			1

        Total Number of Pages:				18

       Description of Other Documentation:
       	State of Georgia, Motor Vehicle Report

Applicant’s Issues, as summarized by the Board:
1.  Employment opportunities.
2.  Change reenlistment code.
3.  Quality of service.
4.  Post Service.

Issues 1 and 2:  The Board determined that these Issues are not issues which can form the basis for relief for the Applicant or that the Board did not have the authority to grant the relief for which the Applicant petitioned.  The Applicant is directed to the Addendum regarding these issues. 
	
Decisional Issues:
The Board accepted Issues 3-4 for consideration.

Issue 3 (Equity).  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.  When a Marine’s service has been honest and faithful, it is appropriate to characterize that service under honorable conditions.  A general (under honorable conditions) discharge is warranted when significant negative aspects of a member’s conduct or performance of duty outweigh the positive aspects of the member’s military record.  The Applicant’s service was marred by two retention warnings and the award of nonjudicial punishment (NJP) on one occasion for violation of the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) Article 112a.  Violation of UCMJ Article 112a is considered a serious offense for which a punitive discharge is authorized if adjudged by a Special or General Courts Martial.  An upgrade to honorable would be inappropriate.  Relief denied.

Issue 4 (Equity).  The NDRB is authorized to consider post-service factors in the recharacterization of a discharge.  However, 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, a procedural impropriety or inequity 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, is considered.  The Applicant provided three character statements and a Georgia Motor Vehicle Report as documentation of post-service accomplishments.  The Applicant's efforts need to be more encompassing than those provided.  For example, the Applicant could have produced evidence of continuing educational pursuits, a verifiable employment record, documentation of community service, evidence of a drug free existence, and certification of non-involvement with civil authorities.  The Board determined that the documentation provided by the Applicant did not mitigate the misconduct that resulted in the characterization of discharge.  Relief denied. 
  
In reviewing discharges, the Board presumes regularity in the conduct of Government affairs unless there is substantial credible evidence to rebut the presumption, to include evidence submitted by the Applicant.  After a thorough review of the available evidence, to include the Applicant’s Summary of Service, Service Record Entries, Medical Record Entries, Elements of Discharge and evidence submitted by the Applicant, the Board found the Applicant’s discharge proper and equitable.

Minority Opinion

None

Pertinent Regulation/Law

A.  The Marine Corps Separation and Retirement Manual, (MCO P1900.16F), effective 01 Sep 2001 until Present, Paragraph 6210, MISCONDUCT.

B.  Secretary of the Navy Instruction 5420.174D of 22 December 2004, Naval Discharge Review Board (NDRB) Procedures and Standards, Part II, Para 211, Regularity of Government Affairs,  Part V, Para 502, Propriety  and  Para 503, Equity.

C.  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 112a, Wrongful use, possession, etc., of a controlled substance.

ADDENDUM:  Information for the Applicant

Complaint Procedures:  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 Instruction 1332.28, you may submit a complaint in accordance with Enclosure (5) of that Instruction.  You should read Enclosure (5) of the Instruction 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 Instruction 1332.28 and other Decisional Documents by going online at “http://Boards.law.af.mil.”

Additional Reviews:  Subsequent to a document review, former members are eligible for a personal appearance hearing, provided the application is received at the NDRB within 15 years from the date of discharge.  The Applicant can provide documentation to support any claims of post-service accomplishments or any additional evidence related to this discharge.  Representation at a personal appearance hearing is recommended but not required.  If a former member has been discharged for more than 15 years, has already been granted a personal appearance hearing or has otherwise exhausted his opportunities before the NDRB, the Applicant may petition the Board for Correction of Naval Records (BCNR), 2 Navy Annex, Washington, DC 20370-5100 for further review.

Service Benefits:  The Veterans Administration determines eligibility for post-service benefits, not the Naval Discharge Review Board.  There is no requirement or law that grants recharacterization solely on the issue of obtaining Veterans' benefits and this issue does not serve to provide a foundation upon which the Board can grant relief.

Employment/Educational Opportunities:  The Board has no authority to upgrade a discharge for the sole purpose of enhancing employment or educational opportunities.  Regulations limit the Board’s review to a determination of the propriety and equity of the discharge.  

Reenlistment/RE-code:  Since the NDRB has no jurisdiction over reenlistment, reentry, or reinstatement into the Navy, Marine Corps, or any other of the Armed Forces, the NDRB is not authorized to change a reenlistment code.  Only the Board for Correction of Naval Records (BCNR) can make changes to reenlistment codes.  Additionally, the Board has no authority to upgrade a discharge for the sole purpose of enhancing reenlistment opportunities.  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.

Medical Conditions and Misconduct:  DoD disability regulations do not preclude a disciplinary separation.  Appropriate regulations stipulate that separations for misconduct take precedence over potential separations for other reasons.  Whenever a member is being processed through the Physical Evaluation Board, and subsequently is processed for an administrative involuntary separation for misconduct, the disability evaluation is suspended.  The Physical Evaluation Board case remains in suspense pending the outcome of the non-disability proceedings.  If the action includes either a punitive or administrative discharge for misconduct, the medical board report is filed in the member’s terminated health record.  Additionally, the NDRB does not have the authority to change a narrative reason for separation to one indicating a medical disability or “PTSD.”  Only the Board for Correction of Naval Records can grant this type of narrative reason change.  

Automatic Upgrades - 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 civilian life subsequent to leaving Naval service.  The NDRB is authorized to consider post-service factors in the recharacterization of a discharge to the extent such matters provide a basis for a more thorough understanding of the Applicant’s performance and conduct during the period of service under review.  Examples of documentation that may be provided to the Board include proof of educational pursuits, verifiable employment records, documentation of community service, credible evidence of a substance free lifestyle and certification of non-involvement with civil authorities.  

Issues Concerning Bad-Conduct Discharges (BCD) – Because relevant and material facts stated in a court-martial specification are presumed by the NDRB to be established facts, issues relating to the Applicant’s innocence of charges for which he was found guilty cannot form a basis for relief.  With respect to a discharge adjudged by a court-martial, the action of the NDRB is restricted to upgrades based on clemency.  Clemency is an act of leniency that reduces the severity of the punishment imposed.  

Board Membership:  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