ex-, USMC

Current Discharge and Applicant’s Request

Application Received:  20080402
Characterization of Service Received:  
Narrative Reason for Discharge:  WEIGHT CONTROL FAILURE
Authority for Discharge:  MARCORSEPMAN 

Applicant’s Request:	Characterization change to:  
			Narrative Reason change to: 

Summary of Service

Prior Service:
Inactive: USMCR (DEP)	20000212 - 20000605  		Active:   

Period of Service Under Review:
Date of Enlistment: 20000606		   Period of Enlistment:   Years   Months		Date of Discharge:  20050211
Length of Service:    Yrs    Mths  06  Dys	Education Level:  	Age at Enlistment:  
MOS:  2621/8530  	Highest Rank:   	Fitness reports:  
Proficiency/Conduct marks (# of occasions):	 ()/ () 	AFQT:  94

Awards and Decorations (per DD 214):  NDSM, SSDR, KDSM, GWOTSM, MCGCM, PUCN. LOA, Rifle  Pistol  

Semi-annual Body Composition evaluation 20031121: Applicant found to weight 213 pounds with 28 percent body fat.  Maximum weight is 192 pounds based on a height of 70 inches.

Body Composition Program (BCP) Evaluation 20031230: Applicant advised that the loss of 21 pounds or 10% body fat is required and this reduction weight/body fat percentage must be maintained within the 6-month BCP assigned period.

BCP Evaluation 20031230: Applicant acknowledged BCP responsibilities.

BCP Evaluation 20040213: Applicant placed in mandatory BCP beginning 20040213 and ends on 20040812.

BCP Evaluation 20040610: Applicant gained 6 pounds and has lost 0 percent body fat since being placed on the BCP.

BCP Evaluation 20040621: Applicant’s present body fat composition status is not due to an underlying cause or associated disease.  Participation in the BCP and Remedial Physical Condition Program should continue until program assignment expires.

BCP Evaluation 20040818: Applicant acknowledged failing to meet the Marine Corps’ body composition standards and will receive a 6105 counseling entry on your SRB/OQR’s Page 11, and be processed for administrative separation per paragraph 6206 or 6215 in reference (b) MCO P1900.16F respectively. 

6105 Counseling: 
	20030228:  For your unsatisfactory performance while assigned to the Marine Corps BCP.
 
NJPs:			

SCMs:	
	
SPCMs:	 	  	

CC:	

Types of Documents Submitted/reviewed

Related to Military Service:	DD 214:  	Service and/or Medical Record:  		Other Records:  

Related to Post-Service Period:	
	Employment:  			Finances:  			Education/Training:	
	Health/Medical Records:		Substance Abuse:			Criminal Records:	
	Family/Personal Status: 		Community Service:  		References:  		
	
Additional Statements From Applicant:  		From Representation:  		From Member of Congress:  
Other Documentation (Describe)  Applicant’s cover letter

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

Applicant’s Issues

1.  Feels the character of his service rated an Honorable Discharge.

Decision

Date:  20080702		Location:  Washington D.C.	 Representation:  

By a vote of  the Characterization shall  .
By a vote of  the Narrative Reason shall  WEIGHT CONTROL FAILURE.

Discussion

  (Equity):  RELIEF WARRANTED.  When a Marine’s service has been honest and faithful, it is appropriate to characterize that service under honorable conditions.   Characterization of service as general (under honorable conditions) is warranted when a member’s service has been honest and faithful but 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 record does not have any disciplinary action.  The only separations counseling he received were for failure to make progress on the body composition program.  The Applicant performed his duties so well that his Company Commander asked that he be allowed to remain on orders until he reached his EAS contract date; his Battalion Commander recommended he receive an HONORABLE characterization.  The SJA advised the Commanding General to downgrade the Battalion Commander’s recommendation.  His average PRO/CON marks are 4.2/4.2; above the minimum standard of 4.0/3.0 required for an HONORABLE characterization of Service.  The Applicant’s performance rates an HONORABLE.   The Board determined an upgrade was warranted. 

After a thorough review of the available evidence, to include the Applicant’s Summary of Service,  Record, Discharge Process and evidence submitted by the Applicant, the Board found   

Pertinent Regulation/Law

A.  Paragraph 6215, WEIGHT CONTROL FAILURE, of the Marine Corps Separation and Retirement Manual, (MCO P1900.16E, effective 01 September 2001 until Present.

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.

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