ex-, USMC
MD07-00145

Current Discharge and Applicant’s Request

Application Received:  20061108 	Characterization Received:  
Narrative Reason:  UNSAT PARTICIPATION IN READY RESERVE Authority:  MARCORSEPMAN 6213

Applicant’s Request:	Characterization change to:    
			Narrative Reason change to: HARDSHIP DISCHARGE
Applicant’s Issues:	1.  Reenlistment opportunity.
			2.  RE Code change.
			3.  Record of service.
			4.  Personal problems with no command support.

Decision

By a vote of 5-0 the Characterization shall change to GENERAL (UNDER HONORABLE CONDITIONS). 	
By a vote of 5-0 the Narrative Reason shall remain UNSAT PARTICIPATION IN READY RESERVE.

Date:  20070906    Location:  Washington D.C.  The Board found that 

Discussion

Issue(s) 1-2:  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. 

Issue 3 (Equity).  There is credible evidence in the record that the Applicant missed mandatory drill periods.  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.  

Issue 4 (Equity).   The Board reviews the propriety and equity of an Applicant’s discharge individually, on a case-by-case basis.  If such a review reveals an impropriety or inequity, relief is in order.  Regulations permit relief on equitable grounds if the Applicant’s discharge is inconsistent with standards of discipline of the Naval service.  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.  The NDRB reviewed all of the available records, supporting documents, facts, elements of discharge, evidence submitted by the Applicant, and circumstances unique to this case.  The record showed that the narrative reason for discharge was appropriate.  However, a particular circumstance of interest was the Applicant’s attendance at all mandatory drill periods except those in question.  The NDRB noted that drills were attended during many months of personal stress due to family health issues and a death in the family.  The NDRB also noted the Applicant’s attempts to make up missed drill periods.  The NDRB found that there was an inequity in the Applicant’s discharge action, is convinced that this inequity was prejudicial to the Applicant, and therefore an inequity in the characterization did occur.   

Summary of Service

Prior Service:
Inactive: NONE	Active:   
Period of Service Under Review:
Date of Enlistment: 19970920	Years Contracted:  ; Extension:    	Date of Discharge:  20030710
Length of Service:  Active:  00  Yrs  09  Mths  26  Dys	Inactive:   03  Yrs  07  Mths  10  Dys
Lost Time:  Days UA:    Days Confined:  
Education Level:  	Age at Enlistment:  	AFQT:  33	MOS:  0811  Highest Rank:  
Proficiency/Conduct marks (# of occasions):	N/A/N/A	 
Awards and Decorations (per DD 214):  RIFLE MARKSMANSHIP MARKSMAN BADGE

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

19971003:	Enlistment contract into the USMCR documents acknowledgement of the requirement to participate in 48 scheduled drills and not less than 14 days of annual training per year for 6 years upon completion of initial active duty training.

19971006:	Applicant reported for initial tour of active duty for training.

19980328:	Applicant released from initial tour of active duty for training with an Honorable by reason of completion of required active service (USMCR) IADT.

19980617:	Applicant reported for active duty for training.

19980930:	Applicant released from active duty for training with an Honorable by reason of completion of required active service.

20030320:	MARCORSEPMAN 6105 counseling for unauthorized absence.  Advised being processed for administrative discharge.  Marine UA, not available for signature.

Discharge Process

Date Notified:	20030324
Basis for Discharge:	
Least Favorable Characterization:	
Commanding Officer’s Intended Recommendation:	

Date Applicant Responded to Notification:		NOT RETURNED
Rights Elected at Notification:
	Consult with Counsel			NOT RETURNED
	Obtain Copies of Documents		NOT RETURNED
	Submit Statement(s) (date)			NOT RETURNED
	Administrative Board			NOT RETURNED

Commanding Officer Recommendation (date):	 (20030508)
SJA review (date):	 (20030702)
Separation Authority (date):	COMMANDING GENERAL, HEADQUARTERS, FOURTH MARINE DIVISION  (20030709)
              Basis for discharge directed:	
              Characterization directed:	
Date Applicant Discharged:	20030710

Types of Documents Submitted by Applicant and Considered By Board

Related to Military Service:	Service and/or Medical Record:  		Other Records:  

Related to Post-Service Period:  	
	Employment:  			Finances:  			Education: 		
	Health/Medical Records:  		Substance Abuse:			Criminal Records:  	
	Family/Personal Status: 		Community Service:  		References:  		
	
Additional Statements From Applicant:  	From Representative:    
Other Documentation (Describe)  Applicant's wifes' medical documentation

Pertinent Regulation/Law

A.  Paragraph 6213 of the Marine Corps Separation and Retirement Manual, (MCO P1900.16E), effective 01 September 2001 until Present.

B.  Marine Corps Reserve Administrative Management Manual, MCO P1001R.1, Chapter 3, Reserve Participation and Administrative Procedures, paragraph 3300.

C.  Table 6‑1 of the Marine Corps Separation and Retirement Manual, (MCO P1900.16F), effective 01 September 2001, Guide for Characterization of Service.

D.  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.

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 to the Joint Service Review Activity, OUSD (P&R) PI-LP, The Pentagon, Washington, DC  20301-4000.  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