ex-, USMC 

Current Discharge and Applicant’s Request

Application Received:  20110426
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)	20050421 - 20051010  	Active:	20051011 - 20090807 (Hon)

Period of Service Under Review:
Date of Current Enlistment:  20090808	Age at re-enlistment:  22
Period of Enlistment:   Years  
Date of Discharge:  20100910	Highest Rank:  
Length of Service:  01 Year(s)  01 Month(s)  02 Day(s)
Education Level:  	AFQT:  44
MOS:  0811  [Field Artillery Cannoneer]
Proficiency/Conduct Marks (# of occasions):   (13) /  (13)	Fitness Reports:  

Awards and Decorations (per DD 214):	Rifle , ACM,  (Afghanistan), , , LoA, , -ISAF (Afghanistan),   (2)

Periods of UA:               Periods of CONF:  20100603 - 20100626 (24 days)

NJP:  

SCM:  

- 20100603:	Article  (Wrongful Use, Possession, etc of a Schedule I Controlled Substance - Ecstasy)
	Sentence:  (2010603 – 20100626, 24 days) , 

SPCM:  		CC:  		Retention Warning Counseling:  

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:	

Administrative Corrections to the Applicant’s DD 214

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

       “2009   08   08”
       “1 year, 1 Month, 02 Days
     Block 12d, Total Prior Active Service, should read: “3 years, 9 Months, 28 Days”
     Block 12e, Total Prior Inactive Service, should read: “0 years, 5 Months, 29 Days”

       “CONTINUOUS HONORABLE ACTIVE SERVICE FROM 051011 UNTIL 090807”

The NDRB will recommend to the Commandant of the Marine Corps that the DD 214 be corrected to reflect the Applicant’s reenlistment in theater (Afghanistan) on 20090808 and all subsequent required changes to the DD Form 214 necessary to reflect the period of honorable service and immediate reenlistment.

Pertinent Regulation/Law

A.  The Marine Corps Separation and Retirement Manual, (MCO P1900.16F), effective 1 September 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.

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

Applicant’s Issues

1.	Nondecisional issues: The Applicant seeks a change in the characterization of his service at discharge in order to be eligible for Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) medical benefit programs.   

2.	Decisional issues: The Applicant contends that his discharge characterization of service was inequitable in that it was excessively harsh given it was an isolated incident in 59 months of otherwise honorable service.  The Applicant contends that he was diagnosed with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), while in service, and was not able to complete necessary treatment.

Decision

Date:  20110908	      	       Location: Washington D.C.	 Representation: 

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

Discussion

In accordance with U.S. Code, Title 10, Section 1553 (d) (1), the board included a member who is a physician, clinical psychologist, or psychiatrist.  In accordance with section 1553 (d) (2), the service secretary expedited a final decision and accorded the case sufficient priority to achieve an expedited resolution.

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 NDRB 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 NDRB 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 the standards of discipline of the Naval Service.  The Applicant submitted one decisional issue for the NDRB’s consideration.  Additionally, the NDRB completed a thorough review of the circumstances that led to the Applicant’s discharge, and the discharge process, to ensure the discharge met the pertinent standards of both equity and propriety.

The Applicant entered military service at age 18 with a waiver to enlistment and induction standards for being underweight.  The Applicant enlisted with a guaranteed contract Infantry Support Field Option.  The Applicant completed one enlistment contract with Honorable service and immediately reenlisted in the Marine Corps for a second four-year obligation.  The military service record further documents that he is a combat veteran, having served honorably during a combat deployment with an Artillery Battalion in the Helmand Province of Afghanistan in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM (OEF) from April 2009 to December 2009.  Moreover, the Applicant received the Combat Action Ribbon for his individual actions against opposing enemy forces while deployed.  The Applicant’s official record of service revealed that he was subject to a Summary Court-Martial for the wrongful use, possession, etc. of a Schedule I controlled substance (MDMA - Ecstasy) on 3 June 2010.  The Applicant acknowledged his complete understanding of the Marine Corps Policy Concerning Illegal Use of Drugs - in writing - on 21 April 2005.  Based on the Article 112(a) violation, by service policy, processing for administrative separation was mandatory.  When notified of the administrative separation process using the board notification procedure, the Applicant elected to waive his right to consult with a qualified counsel, to submit a written statement to the Separation Authority, or to request an administrative board hearing be held.

(Non decisional issue) - The Applicant seeks a change in the characterization of his service at discharge in order to be eligible for VA medical benefit programs.  The NDRB has no authority to upgrade a discharge for the sole purpose of facilitating access to VA benefits programs.  Regulations specifically limit the NDRB’s review to a determination of the propriety and equity of a discharge.  The Applicant is directed to the Addendum, specifically the paragraph concerning Employment and Educational Opportunities.

The NDRB noted that the Applicant’s DD Form 293 (issues statement) included the Applicant’s request for an upgrade to access mental health care treatment through the VA due to PTSD.  The NDRB cannot grant a change based solely on this issue; however, the Applicant should be aware that the VA has announced special VA enrollment access for PTSD and mental health treatment to combat veterans discharged under other than dishonorable conditions.  Effective Jan. 28, 2008, combat veterans discharged from active duty on or after Jan. 28, 2003 are eligible for combat veteran enhanced eligibility and enrollment placement into Priority Group 6 (unless eligible for higher enrollment Priority Group placement) for 5 years post discharge.  Additionally, the VA determines the eligibility for enrollment in its programs - independent of the Applicant’s characterization of service as determined by the Marine Corps.  The Applicant, as a combat veteran, is encouraged to contact his local VA affairs representative for more information and may request a review of service and determination of benefits from the VA.  Alternately, he may call 1-877-222-8387 or visit the following website for more information: http://www4.va.gov/healtheligibility/Library/pubs/CombatVet/CombatVet.pdf.

(Decisional issue) ()  .  (1) The Applicant contends that his characterization of service at discharge was inequitable in that his misconduct was an isolated incident in what was otherwise an honorable 59 months of active duty service.  (2) The Applicant contends that he was diagnosed with PTSD, while in service, and was not able to complete necessary treatment.  The Applicant completed his first enlistment period with an Honorable characterization of service and immediately reenlisted; however, each period of enlistment is an independent obligation and characterization of service is determined for each of those specific periods of service.  Despite a service member’s prior record of service, certain serious offenses, though isolated, warrant separation from the Naval Service in order to maintain proper order and discipline.  Violation of Article 112(a) is one such offense, requiring mandatory processing for administrative separation, regardless of grade, performance, service record, or time in service.  Moreover, this action usually results in an unfavorable characterization of service at discharge or, at a maximum, a punitive discharge with the possibility of confinement, if adjudicated and awarded as part of a sentence by a special or general court-martial.  The Applicant’s command did not pursue a punitive discharge but instead chose the more lenient administrative discharge process.  Based on the seriousness of the offense committed during the Applicant’s current enlistment, the chain of command recommended separation with an Under Other Than Honorable Conditions characterization of service.  The Separation Authority reviewed the evidence of record, concurred, and approved the recommendation for separation and directed the Applicant be discharged for Misconduct (Drug Abuse) pursuant to paragraph 6210.5 of the Marine Corps Separation and Retirement Manual.  The Applicant was discharged on 10 September 2010.

The Applicant contends his problems were attributed to PTSD.  The government enjoys a presumption of regularity in the conduct of its affairs.  The Applicant bears the burden of overcoming this presumption through the presentation of substantial and credible evidence to support his issue.  The NDRB found no medical diagnosis in the record to support the Applicant’s claim nor did the Applicant produce any diagnosis by any competent medical authority to support his claim.  The Applicant was screened by the Clinical Psychologist at the local Naval Hospital.  This screening was the Division’s mandate to screen all Marines being separated prior to the natural end of their enlistment for PTSD and to make recommendations for treatment.  The screening test for PTSD indicated that the Applicant exhibited signs of PTSD and recommended further evaluation and testing before determining an actual diagnosis.  The Applicant was referred to the Deployment Health Clinic for a brief PTSD treatment program prior to his separation.  While the Applicant may feel that PTSD was the underlying cause of his misconduct, the record clearly reflects willful misconduct that demonstrated he was unfit for further service.

Characterization of service at discharge is the recognition of a Marine’s performance and conduct during a period of enlistment.  When the quality of a member’s service has met the standards of accepted conduct and performance of duty for military personnel, it is appropriate to characterize that service under Honorable conditions.  An Under Other Than Honorable Conditions discharge is warranted when a member engages in conduct involving one or more acts or omissions that constitute a significant departure from the conduct expected of members of the Naval Service.  Based on the Applicant’s record of service, the NDRB determined that the Applicant had engaged in conduct involving one or more acts that constituted a significant departure from the conduct expected of members of the Naval Service.  After a thorough review of the records, supporting documents, facts, and circumstances unique to this case, the NDRB determined that the narrative reason for separation and the resulting characterization of service at discharge was proper, was equitable, was warranted, and was and is consistent with the characterization of discharges given to others in similar circumstances.  Accordingly, relief as requested, is denied.

Summary:  After a thorough review of the available evidence, to include the Applicant’s summary of service, service record entries, and the discharge process, the NDRB determined that   Therefore, the awarded characterization of service shall   and the narrative reason for separation shall remain .  The Applicant remains eligible for a personal appearance hearing for a period of fifteen years from the date of  discharge.  The Applicant is directed to the Addendum, specifically the paragraphs titled Additional Reviews and Post-Service Conduct.

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