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

 ex-LCPL, USMC
Docket No. MD99-00952

Applicant’s Request

The application for discharge review, received 990708, requested that the characterization of service on the discharge be changed to honorable.  The applicant requested a documentary record discharge review.  The applicant did not list any representative on the DD Form 293.

Decision

A documentary discharge review was conducted in Washington, D.C. on 000310.  After a thorough review of the records, supporting documents, facts, and circumstances unique to this case, NDRB discerned an inequity in the characterization of the applicant’s service.  The Board’s vote was unanimous that the character of the discharge shall change.  The discharge shall change to: HONORABLE CONDITIONS/INVOL DIS (PERSONALITY DISORDER), authority: MARCORSEPMAN Par. 6203.3

The NDRB did note an administrative error on the original DD Form 214.  Block 26, Separation Code should read: “HFX1” vice “JFV7”.  Block 28, Narrative Reason for Separation should read:  “INVOL DIS (PERSONALITY DISORDER)” vice “Personality Disorder”.  The original DD Form 214 should be corrected or reissued as appropriate. 

PART I - APPLICANT’S ISSUES AND DOCUMENTATION

Issues

Prior to the documentary discharge review, the applicant introduced no issues as block 8 on the DD Form 293 is blank. 

Documentation

In addition to the service record, the following additional documentation, submitted by the applicant, was considered:

Copy of DD Form 214
Ltr from applicant dtd July 2, 1999
Ltr from employer dtd February 11, 1998
Psychological assessment of applicant dtd Jan 4, 1995
Applicant’s resume 
Applicant’s college transcript

PART II - SUMMARY OF SERVICE

Prior Service (component, dates of service, type of discharge):

	Active:   USMC		None
	Inactive:  USMCR(J)		930623 - 930801	COG

Period of Service Under Review:

Date of Enlistment:  930802		Date of Discharge:  941216

Length of Service (years, months, days):

	Active:  01  04  14
	Inactive:  None

Age at Entry:  18			Years Contracted:  4 

Education Level:  12			AFQT:  37

Highest Rank:  LCPL

Final Enlisted Performance Evaluation Averages (number of marks):

Proficiency:  4.2 (3)		Conduct:  4.2 (3)

Military Decorations:  None

Unit/Campaign/Service Awards:  NDSM, Rifle Expert Badge 

Days of Unauthorized Absence:  None 

Character, Narrative Reason, and Authority of Discharge (at time of issuance):

UNDER HONORABLE CONDITIONS (GENERAL)/INVOL DIS (PERSONALITY DISORDER), authority:  MARCORSEPMAN Par. 6203.3.

Chronological Listing of Significant Service Events:

940804:	Medical evaluation by a military psychiatrist concluded that the applicant’s personality disorder was so severe that his ability to function effectively in the military environment was significantly impaired.

	AXIS I: Adjustment Disorder with mixed emotional features
	
	AXIS II: Personality Disorder NOS with borderline and dependent traits

	AXIS III: Superficial wrist laceration

940808:	Counseled for deficiencies in performance and conduct, specifically due to your self-destructive behavior and your psychological evaluation you will be recommended for separation from the Marine Corps. Necessary corrective actions explained, sources of assistance provided, disciplinary and discharge warning issued.

941027:	Applicant notified of intended recommendation for discharge under honorable conditions (general) for the convenience of the government due to a personality disorder, based upon a recommendation of medical officer.
 
941027:  	Applicant advised of his rights and having elected not to consult with counsel certified under UCMJ Article 27B, elected to waive all rights except the right to obtain copies of the documents used to support the basis for the separation.

940915:	Commanding officer recommended discharge under honorable conditions (general) for the convenience of the government due to a personality disorder, based upon a diagnosed personality disorder as evidenced by psychological evaluation, and several suicide attempts
.  
941212:	GCMCA [CG, 1st MarDiv] directed the applicant's discharge under honorable conditions (general) for convenience of the government due to a personality disorder.

PART III – RATIONALE FOR DECISION AND PERTINENT REGULATION/LAW

Discussion

The applicant was discharged on 941216 under honorable conditions (general) for convenience of the government due to a personality disorder (A and B).  The Board presumed regularity in the conduct of governmental affairs (C).  After a thorough review of the records, supporting documents, facts, and circumstances unique to this case, the Board found that the discharge was not equitable (D and E).

The applicant introduced no decisional issues for consideration by the Board.  However the Board determined that the applicant’s discharge should have been based on the type warranted by service record.  The applicant had no page 11 counseling entries nor any NJP’s and his average proficiency and conduct marks were 4.2/4.2 respectively.  Clearly, these factors indicate that the discharge issued should have been an Honorable discharge. Relief granted.           

Pertinent Regulation/Law (at time of discharge)

A.  Paragraph 6203, CONVENIENCE OF THE GOVERNMENT, of the Marine Corps Separation and Retirement Manual, (MCO P1900.16D), effective 27 Jun 89 until 17 Aug 95.

B.  Table 6-1, Guide for Characterization of Service of the Marine Corps Separation and Retirement Manual, (MCO P1900.16D), effective 27 Jun 89 until 17 Aug 95.

C.  Secretary of the Navy Instruction 5420.174C of 22 August 1984 (Manual for Discharge Review, 1984), enclosure (1), Chapter 2, AUTHORITY/POLICY FOR DEPARTMENTAL DISCHARGE REVIEW.  

D.  Secretary of the Navy Instruction 5420.174C of 22 August 1984 (Manual for Discharge Review, 1984), enclosure (1), Chapter 9, paragraph 9.2, PROPRIETY OF THE DISCHARGE.

E.  Secretary of the Navy Instruction 5420.174C of 22 August 1984 (Manual for Discharge Review, 1984), enclosure (1), Chapter 9, paragraph 9.3, EQUITY OF THE DISCHARGE.

PART IV - INFORMATION FOR THE APPLICANT

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 Directive 1332.28, you may submit a complaint in accordance with Enclosure (5) of that Directive.  You should read Enclosure (5) of the Directive 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 obtain a copy of DoD Directive 1332.28 by writing to:

		DA Military Review Boards Agency
		Management Information and Support Directorate
		Armed Forces Reading Room
		Washington, D.C.  20310-1809

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:

		Naval Council of Personnel Boards
		Attn:  Naval Discharge Review Board
		Washington Navy Yard
		720 Kennon St SE Rm 309
		Washington, DC  20374-5023