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

ex-PFC, USMC
Docket No. MD04-00216

Applicant’s Request

The application for discharge review was received on 20031117.  The Applicant requests the characterization of service received at the time of discharge be changed to general/under honorable conditions.  The Applicant requests a documentary record  review.  The Applicant did not list any representative on the DD Form 293.  In the acknowledgement letter, the Applicant was informed that he was approaching the 15-year point for review by this Board and was encouraged to attend a personal appearance hearing in the Washington, D.C. area.  Applicant did not respond.

Decision

A documentary discharge review was conducted in Washington, D.C. on 20040715.  After a thorough review of the records, supporting documents, facts, and circumstances unique to this case, no impropriety or inequity in the characterization of the Applicant’s service was discovered by the NDRB.  The Board’s vote was unanimous that the character of the discharge shall not change.  The discharge shall remain: UNDER OTHER THAN HONORABLE CONDITIONS/Misconduct-Drug abuse (administrative discharge board required but waived), authority: MARCORSEPMAN Par. 6210.5.

PART I - APPLICANT’S ISSUES AND DOCUMENTATION

Issues, as stated

Applicant’s issues, as stated on the application:

1.  “I HAVE BEEN DC’D OVER 13 YEARS NOW AND HAVE NEVER BEEN IN ANY KIND OF SIMILAR SITUATION I WAS IN WHEN I WAS DC’D.  I DO NOT WANT MY DC’D STATUS TO EFFECT ANY CURRENT OR FUTURE CAREER POSSIBILITIES TO BE JEOPARDIZED BECAUSE I DID SOMETHING STUPID 13 YEARS AGO.”

Documentation

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

None

PART II - SUMMARY OF SERVICE

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

	Active:   None
	Inactive: USMCR(J)		870320 - 870510	COG

Period of Service Under Review:

Date of Enlistment:  870511		Date of Discharge:  890824

Length of Service (years, months, days):

	Active:    02  03  13
	Inactive:  None

Age at Entry:  18			Years Contracted:  4

Education Level:  12			AFQT:  53

Highest Rank:  LCpl

Final Enlisted Performance Evaluation Averages (number of marks):

Proficiency:  3.7 (7)			Conduct:  3.7 (7)

Military Decorations:  None

Unit/Campaign/Service Awards:  SSDR, MM

Days of Unauthorized Absence:  9

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

UNDER OTHER THAN HONORABLE CONDITIONS /Misconduct-Drug abuse (administrative discharge board required but waived), authority:  MARCORSEPMAN Par. 6210.5.

Chronological Listing of Significant Service Events:

870318:	Applicant briefed upon and certified understanding of Marine Corps policy concerning illegal use of drugs.

880711:	Psychiatric evaluation: Discharge diagnosis: Axis I: Alcohol dependency by history, adjustment disorder.  Axis II: Mixed personality disorder with immature and impulsive traits.  Recommended Level II substance abuse treatment.

881201:	Counseled for deficiencies in performance and conduct.  [Writing and uttering bad checks.]  Necessary corrective actions explained, sources of assistance provided, disciplinary and discharge warning issued.

881205:	Applicant to unauthorized absence 1300, 881205.

881212:	Applicant from unauthorized absence 1800, 881212 (7 days/surrendered).

890420:	NAVDRUGLAB, Jacksonville, FL, reported Applicant’s urine sample, received 890412, tested positive for THC.

890501:	NJP for violation of UCMJ, Article 86:
Specification: Unauthorized absence from 1745, 890414 to 0530, 890417 (2 days/surrendered).
Violation of UCMJ, Article 92:
Specification: Failed to obey Lt to remain in quarters (SIQ) on 1745, 890414.
Awarded forfeiture of $189.00 per month for 1 month, restriction and extra duties for 14 days.  Not appealed.

890523:	NJP for violation of UCMJ, Article 112A:
Specification: Wrongfully use THC on 890404.
Awarded forfeiture of $391.00 per month for 2 months, restriction and extra duties for 45 days, reduction to PFC.  Not appealed.

890719:	Applicant notified of intended recommendation for discharge under other than honorable conditions by reason of misconduct due to drug abuse.

890719:	Applicant advised of 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.

890719:	Commanding Officer recommended discharge under other than honorable conditions by reason of misconduct due to drug abuse.  The factual basis for this recommendation was Applicant’s documented preservice drug use and his nonjudicial punishment of 890523 for wrongful use of marijuana. 

890809:	SJA review determined the case sufficient in law and fact.

890810:	GCMCA [Commander, 2d Marine Division, Fleet Marine Force, Camp Lejeune, NC] directed the Applicant's discharge under other than honorable conditions by reason of misconduct due to drug abuse.

PART III – RATIONALE FOR DECISION AND PERTINENT REGULATION/LAW

Discussion

The Applicant was discharged on 19890824 under other than honorable conditions for misconduct due to drug abuse (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).

Issue 1.  There is credible evidence in the record that the Applicant used illegal drugs.  Drug abuse warranted processing for separation.  Separation under these conditions generally results in characterization of service under other than honorable conditions.  Relief denied.

The Applicant’s discharge characterization accurately reflects his service to his country.  Normally, to permit relief, an error or inequity must have existed during the period of enlistment in question.  No such error or inequity is evident during the Applicant’s enlistment.  Additionally, there is no law, or regulation, which provides that an unfavorable discharge may be upgraded based solely on the passage of time, to enhance employment opportunities, or for good conduct in civilian life, subsequent to leaving the service.  Relief not warranted.

Pertinent Regulation/Law (at time of discharge)

A.  Paragraph 6210, Misconduct, of the Marine Corps Separation and Retirement Manual, (MCO P1900.16D), effective 27 Jun 89 until 17 Aug 95. 

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 view DoD Directive 1332.28 and other Decisional Documents by going online at “afls14.jag.af.mil”.

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
		720 Kennon Street SE Rm 309
		Washington Navy Yard DC  20374-5023