ex-, USMC

Current Discharge and Applicant’s Request

Application Received:  20091002
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)	19949214 - 19940313  	Active:	

Period of Service Under Review:
Date of Current Enlistment:  19940314	Age at Enlistment:  
Period of Enlistment:   Years   Months
Date of Discharge:  19951115	Highest Rank:  
Length of Service:    Year(s)    Month(s)  15  Day(s)	MOS:  3381
Education Level:  	AFQT:  34
Proficiency/Conduct Marks (# of occasions):   () /  ()	Fitness Reports:  

Awards and Decorations (per DD 214):	Rifle  

Periods of UA/CONF:  	UA 19941230 - 19950111 (12), UA 19950518 - 19950524 (7)

NJP:  

- 19950306:	Article  (Absence without leave), 2 specifications
	Specification 1: UA from appointed place of duty, 19941230-19950111 (12 days)
	Specification 2: UA from appointed place of duty, 19950213
	Article 91 (Willfully disobeyed SNCO), 19950207
	Awarded:     Suspended:   (suspended for 6 mos; vacated 19950517) 

- 19950525:	Article 86 (Absence without leave), 3 specifications
	Specification 1: UA from appointed place of duty, 19950405
	Specification 2: UA from appointed place of duty, 19950515
	Specification 3: UA from appointed place of duty, 19950518-19950524 (7 days)
	Article 92 (Failure to register weapons in base housing), 19950327 
	Awarded:     Suspended:  

- 19950718:	Article 107 (False official statement to CWO-3), 19950509
	Article 123a (Wrote check with insufficient funds)
	Article 134 (Restriction breaking), 19950610
	Awarded:     Suspended:   (suspended for 6 mos)

- 19951024:	Article 92 (Failure to obey order, regulation), 4 specifications
	Specification 1: Possession of knife which exceeded base regulations, 19951003
	Specification 2: Combative and disrespectful to Military Police during processing, 19951001
	Specification 3: Driving on base without a license, 19951003
	Specification 4: Driving on base without registration or insurance, 19951003
	Article 107 (False official statement to CWO-3), 19951011 
	Awarded:     Suspended:   (suspended for 6 mos)

SCM:  	SPCM:  	CC:  

Retention Warning Counseling:  

- 19950410:	For continued irresponsibility, flagrant disregard for disobeying orders, and lack of self-discipline.  Your actions are unacceptable and will not be tolerated.

- 19950618:	For diagnosis of personality disorder (adjustment disorder with a depressed mood, dependent personality disorder, chronic low back pain, occupation problems, problems related to social environment, problems related to interaction with legal/crime, and global assessment of functioning).  On 5 Jun 95, you were evaluated by competent medical authorities (psychiatrist).  Your personality disorder, history of suicidal gestures and ideations was evaluated to be of such severity as to render you unsuitable for further military service.  Your actions reflect poor judgment and bring your physical and mental well being into question.

- 19950801:	For irresponsibility, flagrant disregard for obeying the rules and regulations in that you violated several Base regulations pertaining to base housing, failure to maintain the high standards of conduct expected of all Marines, poor attitude and substandard work ethic which resulted in you being relieved of your duties as a cook at the 22 Area Dining Facility, frequent involvement of a discreditable nature with military/ civilian authorities.  Your substandard performance and actions will not be tolerated.

Administrative Corrections to the Applicant’s DD 214

The NDRB did note administrative error(s) on the original DD Form 214:

	  “MISCONDUCT”

The NDRB will recommend to the Commandant of the Marine Corps that the DD 214 be corrected as appropriate.

Types of Documents Submitted/reviewed

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

Related to Post-Service Period:
	Employment:		Finances:		Education/Training:	
	Health/Medical Records:		Rehabilitation/Treatment:		Criminal Records:	
	Personal Documentation:		Community Service:		References:	
	Department of VA letter:		Other Documentation:	
		Additional Statements:
	From Applicant:		From/To Representation:		From/To Congress member:	

Pertinent Regulation/Law

A.  Paragraph 6210, MISCONDUCT, of the Marine Corps Separation and Retirement Manual, (MCO P1900.16E), effective 18 August 1995 until 30 January 1997. 

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.

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

Applicant’s Issues

1.  The Applicant believes his post-service conduct is worthy of consideration.

Decision

Date:  20110120		Location: Washington D.C.	 Representation: 

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

Discussion

The NDRB, under its responsibility to examine the propriety and equity of an Applicant’s discharge, is authorized to change the character of service and the reason for discharge if such change is warranted.  In reviewing discharges, the Board presumes regularity in the conduct of governmental affairs unless there is substantial credible evidence to rebut the presumption, to include evidence submitted by the Applicant.  The Board did complete a thorough review of the circumstances that led to  discharge and the discharge process to ensure  discharge met the pertinent standards of equity and propriety.  The Applicant’s record of service included  6105 retention counseling warnings for irresponsibility, poor attitude, poor judgment, flagrant disregard for disobeying orders, lack of self-discipline, diagnosis of personality disorder (adjustment disorder with a depressed mood, dependent personality disorder, chronic low back pain, occupation problems, problems related to social environment, problems related to interaction with legal/crime, and global assessment of functioning), history of suicidal gestures and ideations with such severity as to render him unsuitable for further military service, violation of Base regulations pertaining to base housing, frequent involvement of a discreditable nature with military/civilian authorities, failure to maintain the high standards of conduct expected of all Marines, and substandard work ethic that resulted in being relieved of his duties as a cook at the 22 Area Dining Facility.  The record also reflected   for  of the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ): Article 86 (Absence without leave, 5 specifications), Article 91 (Insubordinate conduct toward noncommissioned officer, willfully disobeyed a MSgt), Article 92 (Failure to obey order or regulation, 5 specifications), Article 107 (False official statement, 2 specifications), Article 123a (Checks, insufficient funds, wrote bad check to MWR), and Article 134 (Restriction, breaking, failed to muster for restriction).  The Applicant also had a pre-service waiver for multiple minor traffic offenses prior to entering the Marine Corps.  Based on the offenses committed by the Applicant,  command administratively processed  for separation.  When notified of administrative separation processing using the  procedure on 02 Oct 1995, the Applicant exercised his right to consult with qualified counsel but waived  rights to submit a written statement and request an administrative separation board.

:  (Decisional) ()  .  The Applicant provided documentation that included four letters of personal reference.  Though not submitted, other documentation could have included: ; ; evidence of financial stability; certification of non-involvement with civil authorities; college or vocational school transcripts; documentation of community or church service; and marriage or child birth certificates (as applicable).  The NDRB considers post-service conduct in order to determine if the misconduct committed during active duty was indicative of the Applicant's character or an aberration.  However, there is no law or regulation that provides an unfavorable discharge may be upgraded based solely on the passage of time or good conduct in 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.  Unfortunately, the Applicant’s post-service efforts were not sufficient to warrant an upgrade.  Relief denied.

Summary:  After a thorough review of the available evidence, to include the Applicant’s summary of service,  record entries, administrative separation process, and documentary evidence submitted by the Applicant, the Board found   Therefore, the awarded characterization of service shall   and the narrative reason for separation shall remain .

ADDENDUM:  Information for the Applicant

Complaint Procedures:  If you believe 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:  After a document review has been conducted, former members are eligible for a personal appearance hearing, provided the application is received at the NDRB within 15 years of the Applicant’s 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.  There are veterans organizations such as the American Legion and the Disabled American Veterans that are willing to provide guidance to former service members in their efforts to obtain a discharge upgrade.  If a former member has been discharged for more than 15 years, has already been granted a personal appearance hearing or has otherwise exhausted their 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 U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) determines eligibility for post-service benefits, not the NDRB.  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 NDRB has no authority to upgrade a discharge for the sole purpose of enhancing employment or educational opportunities.  Regulations limit the NDRB’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 BCNR can make changes to reenlistment codes.  Additionally, the NDRB 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 is processed subsequently for an administrative involuntary separation or is referred to a court martial for misconduct, the disability evaluation is suspended pending the outcome of the non-disability proceedings.  If the action includes either a punitive or administrative discharge for misconduct or for any basis wherein an Other Than Honorable discharge is authorized, 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 BCNR can grant this type of narrative reason change.

Automatic Upgrades - There is no law or regulation that provides for an unfavorable discharge to be upgraded based solely on the passage of time or good conduct subsequent to leaving naval service.

Post-Service Conduct:  The NDRB is authorized to consider post-service factors in the recharacterization of a discharge.  Outstanding post-service conduct, 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, is considered during Board reviews.  Documentation to support a post-service conduct upgrade includes, but is not limited to: a verifiable continuous employment record; marriage and children’s birth certificates (if applicable); character witness statements; documentation of community or church service; certification of non-involvement with civil authorities; evidence of financial stability or letters of good standing from banks, credit card companies, or other financial institutions; attendance at or completion of higher education (official transcripts); and documentation of a drug-free lifestyle.   The Applicant is advised that completion of these items alone does not guarantee the upgrade of an unfavorable discharge, as each discharge is reviewed by the Board on a case-by-case basis to determine if post-service accomplishments help demonstrate  in-service misconduct was an aberration and not indicative of the member’s overall character.

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 special 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.  The NDRB does not have the jurisdictional authority to review a discharge or dismissal resulting from a general court-martial.

Board Membership:  The names and votes of the members of the NDRB 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