ex-, USMC
MD07-00066

Current Discharge and Applicant’s Request:

Application Received:  				20061012
	Characterization of Service:		
	Basis for Discharge:			  
	Discharge Authority:			MARCORSEPMAN PAR 6210.5
	Duty Assignment/Command at Discharge:	2NDBN 4THMAR 1STMARDIV CAMPEN CA RUC 13220

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

Issues: 1. Medical Care for Eye
            2. Copy of Medical Records

Issue 1:  The Board determined that this Issue is not an issue 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 page one of the Addendum regarding these issues. 

Issue 2:  Applicant may contact the National Personnel Records Center (Military Personnel Records), 9700 Page Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63132-5100 for a copy of Medical Records.

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 record indicates that he admitted his drug use.  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.  An under other than 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 the award of two nonjudicial punishments (NJP), Article 92, Failure to Obey an Order or Regulation and a Summary Court-Martial, Article 112a, Wrongful use of controlled substances,.  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 general (under honorable conditions) would be inappropriate.  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.

Decision:
Date of Decision:					20070823
Location of Board:				Washington D.C.
Complete Service Record:				No
Complete Medical Record:			no
Complete Discharge Package:			yes

Regarding propriety, the Board found the discharge:	proper
Regarding equity, the Board found the discharge:	equitable

By a vote of  the Characterization shall  .	
By a vote of  the Basis for Discharge shall   due to  .

Summary of Service:

Prior Service:
Inactive: USMCR (DEP)				20040520 - 20040802  

Period of Service Under Review:
Date of Enlistment:  				20040803
Years Contracted:  				
Date of Discharge:				20051209
Length of Service
	Active:					01  Yrs  03  Mths  14  Dys  (does not exclude lost time)
	Inactive:					NONE
	Time Lost During This Period:		Days UA:    Days Confinement:  24
	
Education Level:  				
Age at this Enlistment:  				
AFQT:  						72
MOS:						0311
Highest Rank:					
Proficiency/Conduct marks (# of occasions):		3.8(3)/3.7(3)

Awards and Decorations (as listed on the DD Form 214):  GLOBAL WAR ON TERRORISM SERVICE MEDAL, NATIONAL DEFENSE SERVICE MEDAL, RIFLE SHARPSHOOTER BADGE, PISTOL SHARPSHOOTER BADGE

Service Record Entries Related to Characterization of Service or Basis for Discharge

20040519:	Applicant briefed on and certified understanding of Marine Corps policy concerning illegal use of drugs

20050331:	NJP for violation(s) of UCMJ:
	Article 92: Fail to obey a lawful order on or about 2000, 20050306 by wrongfully consuming alcohol while under the age of 21.
	Award:  Forfeiture of $323.00 for 1 month (suspended for 6 months), restriction and extra duty for 14 days.
	Not appealed.

20050404:	Counseling:  Advised of deficiencies in performance and conduct (Failure to obey order or regulation.), necessary corrective actions explained, sources of assistance provided, disciplinary and discharge warning issued.

20050511:	Counseling:  Advised of deficiencies in performance and conduct (Testing positive on a urinalysis test for a controlled substance and pattern of misconduct.), necessary corrective actions explained, sources of assistance provided, disciplinary and discharge warning issued.

20050511:	Counseling:  Advised of deficiencies in performance and conduct (Illegal drug related incident on 20050415.  Specifically, cocaine usage identified through urinalysis and confirmed by NAVDRUGLAB MSG dated 20050427.), necessary corrective actions explained, sources of assistance provided, disciplinary and discharge warning issued.

20050603:	NJP for violation(s) of UCMJ:
	Article 92: Fail to obey a lawful order on or about 1700, 20050521 by wrongfully going to Camp Schwab while on Liberty Risk Program when restricted to the limits of Camp Hansen.
	Award:  Forfeiture of $323.00 for 1 month, restriction and extra duty for 14 days.
	Not appealed.

20050603:	Counseling:  Advised of deficiencies in performance and conduct (Failure to obey order or regulation.), necessary corrective actions explained, sources of assistance provided, disciplinary and discharge warning issued.

20050607:	Head, Substance Abuse Rehabilitation Department, Marine Corp Base, Camp Smedley D. Butler, Okinawa. 
	Applicant does not reveal a pattern of drug/ alcohol abuse or dependence.  Therefore, Applicant does not need treatment for drug/alcohol abuse or dependence. 
 	Recommendation:  Applicant be processed for administrative separation from the USMC for illicit drug use.  Applicant should maintain weekly meetings with command SACO.  Applicant performance should be monitored and re-evaluated and any further incidents should be handled in accordance with above references.

20050616:	Applicant, with consultation with a Defense Attorney, agrees to accept and plead guilty to all charges and specifications at a Summary Court-Martial and waive rights to an Administrative Board.  Convening Authority agrees to adjudicate at a Summary Court-Martial and not refer to a Special Court-Martial.

20050713:	Summary Court-Martial.
	Charge: Violation of the UCMJ, Article 112a.
	Specification:  On or about 20050415, wrongfully used cocaine.
	Finding: To Charge and the specification thereunder, guilty.
	Sentence: Forfeiture of $823.00, confinement for 30 days, reduction to E-1.
	CA action 20050720:  Sentence approved and ordered executed.

Elements of Discharge:  [INVOLUNTARY]

Date Notified:					20050511
Basis for Discharge:	 due to:  
	
Least Favorable Characterization:	
Commanding Officer’s Intended Recommendation:	

Date Applicant Responded to Notification:		20050511
Rights Elected at Notification:
Consult with Counsel				
	Obtain Copies of Documents		
	Submit Statement(s) (date)			
	Administrative Board			

Commanding Officer Recommendation (date):	 (UNDATED)
SJA review (date):				 (20051115)
Separation Authority (date):	COMMANDING GENERAL, 3D MARINE DIVISION (20051116)
	Basis for discharge directed:		 due to:  
	Characterization directed:			
Date Applicant Discharged:			20051209

Additional Documents Submitted by Applicant and Considered By Board

Total Number of Pages:				1
       
Related to Period of Service Under Review:
	From Service and/or Medical Record:		Other Records:	

Related to Other Period(s) of Service:
	From Service and/or Medical Record:		Other Records:	
       
Related to Post-Service Period:
	Employment:					Finances:	
	Health/Medical Records:				Substance Abuse:	
	Family/Personal Status:				Education:	
 	Community Service Efforts:			References:	
	Criminal Records:			

Other:
	Additional Statements From Applicant:		From Representative:	
        	Other Documentation (Describe)		      

 

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 of Controlled Substances.

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