ex-, USMC

Current Discharge and Applicant’s Request
Application Received:  20080408
Characterization of Service Received:  
Narrative Reason for Discharge:  
Authority for Discharge:  MARCORSEPMAN 

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

Summary of Service
Prior Service:
Inactive: USMCR (DEP)	20050129 - 20050206  		Active:   
Period of Service Under Review:
Date of Enlistment: 20050207		   Period of enlistment:   Years   Months		Date of Discharge:  20070615
Length of Service:    Yrs    Mths  09  Dys	Education Level:  	Age at Enlistment:  	AFQT:  76
MOS:  0331  	Highest Rank:   			Fitness reports:  
Proficiency/Conduct marks (# of occasions):	 ()/ ()
Awards and Decorations (per DD 214):  Rifle: , Pistol: , , , , ICM.

Periods of UA/CONF:  20070419-20070501 (13).

NJPs:	1
	20061215:  Art 112a (wrongful use of a controlled substance).  Awarded - RIR (E2), FOP ($732 for 2 months),  
                                  RESTR EPD (45/45).  Susp - None.

SCMs:	1
	20070504:  Art 112a (wrongful use of a controlled substance); Art 86 (unauthorized absence).  
                                 Awarded RIR (E1), FOP ($849 for 1 month), 30 days confinement.  Susp - NONE.

SPCMs:	

CC:	

6105 Counseling: 
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)  
	Undated Verification of VA status from N. S. Semien, Social Service Assistant.
	Undated character reference from VA Transitional Patient Advocate.
	Employment verification letter from Security Patrol Management Corp.
	Character reference from C. O., (Transition Patient Advocate) dated May 27, 2008.
	Undated progress report from N. S. S., Social Service Assistant.
	Program completion letter from N. S. S., Social Service Assistant.
	Character reference from Officer J. C. dated May 25, 2008.
	Character reference from J. R. H. dated May 27, 2008.
	Negative results from a Criminal Record Check completed on May 5, 2008.
DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY
NAVAL DISCHARGE REVIEW BOARD (NDRB)
DISCHARGE REVIEW DECISIONAL DOCUMENT

Applicant’s Issues

1. Medical benefits/employment opportunities.
2. Isolated incident/ record of service/already punished.
3. Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

Decision

Date:  20080612		Location:  Washington D.C.	 Representation:  

By a vote of  the Characterization shall  .
By a vote of  the Narrative Reason shall  Misconduct.

Discussion

:    either  which the Board cannot form the basis of relief for the Applicant, or  the Board does not have the authority to grant the relief for which the Applicant petitioned.  The Applicant is directed to the Addendum,  and Employment/Educational Opportunities, regarding .

: ()  .  The Applicant stated his discharge was based on one isolated incident.  Despite a service member’s prior record of service certain serious offenses even though isolated, warrant separation from the Naval Service in order to maintain proper order and discipline.  For the information of the Applicant, an administrative discharge is not punishment.  The decision to administratively discharge a service member is made independently and does not require adjudication at court-martial or non-judicial punishment.  The characterization of service is a description of the total service provided during the member’s enlistment.  When the service of a member of the Naval Service has been honest and faithful, it is appropriate to characterize such service as honorable.    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 a non-judicial punishment for violation of UCMJ Article 112a (wrongful use of a controlled substance) and a Summary Court Martial for violation of UCMJ Article 112a and Article 86.  These violations are punishable by a dishonorable discharge and imprisonment if adjudicated by a Court Martial.  The Applicant’s conduct, which forms the primary basis for determining the character of service, reflects the Applicant’s willful failure to meet the requirements of the Naval Service and falls far short of what is required for an upgrade in the characterization of service.  The Board determined an upgrade was not appropriate.

: ()  RELIEF NOT WARRANTED.  The Applicant contends his misconduct may be attributed to Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).  During Board reviews the government is presumed to conduct its affairs with regularity.  The Applicant bears the burden of overcoming this presumption through the presentation of substantial and credible evidence to support his issue.  The NDRB noted the Applicant was diagnosed with PTSD and was counseled on treatment options available to him on 22 January 2007.  The Applicant chose not to seek treatment at that time.  While he may feel PTSD was the underlying cause of his misconduct, the diagnosis did not show the Applicant was either not responsible for his conduct or that he should not be held accountable for his actions.  Additionally, the Applicant is directed to the Addendum; specifically, the paragraph concerning Medical Conditions and Misconduct. 

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 

The NDRB did note administrative errors on the original DD Form 214.  Block 4a, GRADE, RATE OR RANK, should read:  “Private”, and block 25, SEPARATION AUTHORITY, should read: "MARCORSEPMAN Par 6210.5".   Headquarters Marine Corps, Deputy Commandant for Manpower and Reserve Affairs (MMSR-3), Quantico, VA, will be notified, recommending the DD Form 214 be corrected or reissued, as appropriate.

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 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 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 other medical related reasons.  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