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

 ex-Pvt, USMC
Docket No. MD99-01060

Applicant’s Request

The application for discharge review, received 990730, requested that the characterization of service on the discharge be changed to honorable.  The applicant requested a personal appearance hearing before a Traveling Panel closest to Kalamazoo, MI.  The applicant did not designate a representative on the DD Form 293.  In the acknowledgement letter to the applicant, he was informed that the Naval Discharge Review Board (NDRB) first conducts a documentary review prior to any personal appearance hearing.

Decision

A documentary discharge review was conducted in Washington, D.C. on 000424.  After a thorough review of the records, supporting documents, facts, and circumstances unique to this case, NDRB discerned no impropriety or inequity in the characterization of the applicant’s service.  The Board’s vote was unanimous that the character of the discharge shall not change.  The discharge shall remain:  UNCHACTERIZED/ENTRY LEVEL PERFORMANCE AND CONDUCT, authority: MARCORSEPMAN Par. 6205.

PART I - APPLICANT’S ISSUES AND DOCUMENTATION

Issues

1.  I, (Applicant) entered active duty at Nov 15 1996, at San Diego Recruit Depot. Somewhere around training day 7 my senior drill instructor SGT D_ grabbed me and throw me on the grides rack.  Shortly after than another drill instructor pushed me against a bulk head.  I pushed him back.  Shortly after this I started processing out and received a RE-3F.  I feel that if this had not have happened, I would still be in the Marines today.  I am looking to get back into the service, and made a success of it.  I also would like the Board to know that I missed a meal for looking up, when my eyes were supposed to be on my tray.

Documentation

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

Copy of DD Form 214 (2 copies)

PART II - SUMMARY OF SERVICE

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

	Active:    None
	Inactive:  USMCR(J)		960927 - 961118	COG

Period of Service Under Review:

Date of Enlistment:  961119		Date of Discharge:  970121

Length of Service (years, months, days):

	Active:  00  02  03
	Inactive:  None

Age at Entry:  21			Years Contracted:  4

Education Level:  12			AFQT:  35

Highest Rank:  Pvt

Final Enlisted Performance Evaluation Averages (number of marks):

Proficiency:  NMF			Conduct:  NMF

Military Decorations:  None

Unit/Campaign/Service Awards:  None 

Days of Unauthorized Absence:  None 

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

UNCHARACTERIZED/ENTRY LEVEL PERFORMANCE & CONDUCT, authority:  MARCORSEPMAN Par. 6205.

Chronological Listing of Significant Service Events:

970108:	Final Discharge Information/Counseling Form: Counseled this date concerning separation from the Marine Corps because of his inability to adapt to a military environment.  Applicant acknowledged that he understood the circumstances under which he was being separated, and he has not been physically or verbally abused while in Third Recruit Training Battalion.

970116:	Applicant notified of intended recommendation for discharge under entry level separation by reason of entry level performance and conduct due to failure to adapt to the USMC environment.

970116:	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.

970117:	CG, Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego, CA directed the applicant's uncharacterized discharge by reason Entry Level Performance/Conduct - failure to adapt.

PART III – RATIONALE FOR DECISION AND PERTINENT REGULATION/LAW

Discussion

The applicant was discharged on 970121 with an uncharacterized discharge by reason of Entry Level Performance & Conduct due to failure to adapt (A).  The Board presumed regularity in the conduct of governmental affairs (B).  After a thorough review of the records, supporting documents, facts, and circumstances unique to this case, the Board found that the discharge was proper and equitable (C and D).

In the applicant’s issue, the Board found that the applicant did not provide any documentation to substantiate his allegations that he was physically or verbally abused while in recruit training. The applicant acknowledged on his discharge counseling form that he was not physically or verbally abused while in recruit training.  The Board found that he was correctly discharged for failure to adapt to the military environment. Relief denied. 

Pertinent Regulation/Law (at time of discharge)

A  The Marine Corps Separation and Retirement Manual, (MCO P1900.16E, effective 950818), paragraph 6205, ENTRY LEVEL PERFORMANCE AND CONDUCT.

B.  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.  

C.  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.

D.  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 Street SE Rm 309
		Washington, D.C.  20374-5023