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

 
ex-PVT, USMC
Docket No. MD04-00835

Applicant’s Request

The application for discharge review was received on 20040421.  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 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 20041022.  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:  UNCHARACTERIZED/FRAUDULENT ENTRY INTO MILITARY SERVICE, authority: MARCORSEPMAN Par. 6204.3.

PART I - APPLICANT’S ISSUES AND DOCUMENTATION

Issues, as stated

Applicant’s issues, as stated on the application:

1.  “The type of discharge entered on my DD214 is incorrect, I’m not sure what it should be.  I was considered fraudulent for being diagnosed with Intermittent Explosive Disorder, by Dr. H_.  Since I was discharged, I have gone back to Dr. Holland and he has given me a letter stating that I was never told about the diagnosis nor do I show any signs of it now.  Letter attached.”

Documentation

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

Copy of DD Form 214
Ltr frm J_ H_, MD, dated 040325

PART II - SUMMARY OF SERVICE

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

	Active:   None
	Inactive: USMCR(J)		020515 - 021006	COG

Period of Service Under Review:

Date of Enlistment:  021007		Date of Discharge:  021213

Length of Service (years, months, days):

	Active:    00  02  07
	Inactive:  None

Age at Entry:  19			Years Contracted:  4 

Education Level:  12			AFQT:  52

Highest Rank:  Pvt			MOS:   9900

Final Enlisted Performance Evaluation Averages (number of marks):

Proficiency:  NMF*			Conduct:  NMF

*No marks found in service record

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/FRAUDULENT ENTRY INTO MILITARY SERVICE, authority:  MARCORSEPMAN Par. 6204.3.

Chronological Listing of Significant Service Events:

020515:	Applicant’s DD Form 2808 shows no indication of disclosure of allergy to ant bites or counseling of any type, or being treated for a mental condition.  Answered “no” to question 24:  Have you consulted or been treated by clinics, physicians, healers or other practitioners with in the past 6 years for other than minor illnesses?

021013:	Medical Dispositions Officer Statement [The undisclosed history is 1)  Allergy to ant bites 2) Intermittent Explosive Disorder 3) Depressive Disorder 4) Attention Deficit Disorder – meds Ritalin, Prozac, Wellbutrin

021114:	Voluntary Medical Statement.  What medical problems do you have that were not disclosed to the MEPS Doctor?  [I am allergic to ant’s/bee’s when bit I break out I hives.  Throat swells up, face swells up.  I can’t breath.  I go into anaphelexis shock.]

021114:	Counseled this date [SNR counseled for being dropped to RSP for fraudulent enlistment due to undisclosure of medical history.  SNR is allergic to ant bites, intermittent explosive disorder, depressive disorder, ADD.]

021210:	Applicant notified of intended recommendation for uncharacterized discharge by reason of defective enlistment and induction due to a fraudulent entry into the U.S. Marine Corps.

021210:  	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.

021210:	Commanding officer recommended discharge by reason of defective enlistment and induction due to a fraudulent entry into the U.S. Marine Corps .  The factual basis for this recommendation was psychiatric evaluations, RLS Interview and Recruit Evaluation Card. 

021210:	GCMCA [CO RTR] directed the Applicant's uncharacterized discharge by reason defective enlistment and induction due to a fraudulent entry into the U.S. Marine Corps.

PART III – RATIONALE FOR DECISION AND PERTINENT REGULATION/LAW

Discussion

The Applicant was given an uncharacterized discharge on 20021213 by reason defective enlistment and induction due to a fraudulent entry (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.  By regulation, members discharged within the first 180 days of enlistment are given characterization of service "Uncharacterized" or entry-level separation unless there were unusual circumstances regarding performance or conduct, which would merit an "honorable" characterization.  Applicant's service record did not contain any unusual circumstances during his less than three months in the military to warrant a change of discharge to "honorable."  

On  20021114, the Applicant made a voluntary statement that he had a prior history of a allergies to ant bites and bee stings.  The evidence of record also shows the Applicant failed to reveal a prior history of psychiatric treatment he received prior to enlistment.  The Board found that the documentation and statements provided for review do not refute the presumption that the Applicant deliberately misrepresented his medical condition during the enlistment process, including the omission or concealment of facts which, if known at the time would have reasonably been expected to preclude, postpone, or otherwise affect the Marine’s eligibility for enlistment or induction.  No other narrative reason other than fraudulent entry more clearly describes the circumstances surrounding the Applicant’s processing for administrative separation.  Relief denied.

The Applicant should be aware that, with respect to nonservice-related administrative matters, i.e., VA benefits, educational pursuits, and especially civilian employment, an uncharacterized separation is considered the equivalent of an honorable or general (under honorable conditions) discharge.

The Applicant remains eligible for a personal appearance hearing, provided an application is received, at the NDRB, within 15 years from the date of discharge.  Representation at a personal appearance hearing is recommended but not required.

Pertinent Regulation/Law (at time of discharge)

A.  The Marine Corps Separation and Retirement Manual, MCO P1900.16F), effective 
01 September 2001 until Present, paragraph 6204, DEFECTIVE ENLISTMENT AND INDUCTION.

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