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

ex-Pvt, USMC
Docket No. MD04-00924

Applicant’s Request

The application for discharge review was received on 20040512.  The Applicant requests the characterization of service received at the time of discharge be changed to honorable.  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.  The Applicant did not respond.

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: UNDER HONORABLE CONDITIONS (GENERAL)/Alcohol Abuse Rehabilitation Failure (administrative discharge board not required), authority: MARCORSEPMAN Par. 6209.

PART I - APPLICANT’S ISSUES AND DOCUMENTATION

Issues, as stated

Applicant’s issues, as stated on the application:

1.  “I want to attend college, and take advantage of the Veteran’s Educational Assistance Program that I contributed to.”

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)		890428 - 890710	COG

Period of Service Under Review:

Date of Enlistment:  890711		Date of Discharge:  911030

Length of Service (years, months, days):

	Active:    02  03  20
	Inactive:  None

Age at Entry:  17 (Parental consent)		Years Contracted:  4 

Education Level:  12			AFQT:  40

Highest Rank:  PFC			MOS:  0151

Final Enlisted Performance Evaluation Averages (number of marks):

Proficiency:  4.3 (Unknown)			Conduct:  3.9 (Unknown)

Military Decorations:  None

Unit/Campaign/Service Awards:  NDSM, LA, MM 

Days of Unauthorized Absence:  None 

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

UNDER HONORABLE CONDITIONS (GENERAL)/Alcohol Abuse Rehabilitation Failure (administrative discharge board not required),  authority:  MARCORSEPMAN Par. 6209.

Chronological Listing of Significant Service Events:

900227:	NJP for violation of UCMJ, Article 86: Go from appointed place of duty while posted as fire/security watch at 0001, 900207.
Awarded forfeiture of $300.00 for 2 months (one month suspended for one month), extra duties for 14 days.  Not appealed.

910116:	NJP for violation of UCMJ, Article 92: Wrongfully consume alcohol under the legal drinking age.
Awarded forfeiture of $200.00 (suspended for 6 months), restriction and 
extra duties for 14 days.  Not appealed.

910214:	Completed Level II alcohol rehabilitation treatment.

910318:	Counseled for deficiencies in performance and conduct.  [Frequent involvement with military authorities.]  Necessary corrective actions explained, sources of assistance provided, disciplinary and discharge warning issued.  

910607:	NJP for violation of UCMJ, Article 92: Wrongfully consume alcohol under the legal drinking age.
Awarded forfeiture of $250.00, restriction and 
extra duties for 15 days, reduction to Pvt (reduction suspended for 2 months).  Not appealed.

910716:	Vacate suspended punishment from NJP of 910607.

910716:	Counseled for deficiencies in performance and conduct.  [Alcohol related incident, on 910425 arrested and charged with drunk in public and urinating in public for which I received a $20 fine in civil court on 910523.  Since you successfully completed Level II substance abuse training on 901221 behavior of this type and involvement with civil authorities cannot be tolerated.  It is my intention to process you for administrative separation.]  Applicant chose to make a statement.  

910828:	Admitted to Level III alcohol dependence rehabilitation treatment.

910923:	Discharged from Level III alcohol dependence rehabilitation as a treatment failure.  Recommended for administrative separation.

911008:	Applicant notified of intended recommendation for discharge under honorable conditions (general) by reason of alcohol rehabilitation failure.

911010:  	Applicant advised of his rights and having consulted 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.

911016:	Commanding Officer recommended discharge under honorable conditions (general) by reason of alcohol rehabilitation failure.  

911022:	SJA review determined the case sufficient in law and fact.

911024:	GCMCA [CG, MCCDC] directed the Applicant's discharge under  honorable conditions (general) by reason alcohol rehabilitation failure.

PART III – RATIONALE FOR DECISION AND PERTINENT REGULATION/LAW

Discussion

The Applicant was discharged on 19911030 under honorable conditions (general) due to alcohol rehabilitation failure (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.  The Veterans Administration 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.

The Applicant’s discharge characterization accurately reflects his service to his country.  Normally, to permit relief, an inequity or impropriety must have existed during the period of enlistment in question.  No such inequity or impropriety occurred 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, or good conduct in civilian life, subsequent to leaving the service.  However, the NDRB is authorized to consider outstanding post-service factors in the recharacterization of a discharge, to the extent that such matters provide a basis for a more thorough understanding of the Applicant’s performance and conduct during the period of service under review.  Verifiable proof of any post-service accomplishments must be provided in order for the Applicant to claim post-service conduct and behavior as a reason to upgrade a less than honorable discharge.  Evidence of continuing educational pursuits, employment record, documentation of community service, certification of non-involvement with civil authorities and credible evidence of a substance free lifestyle, are examples of verifiable documentation that may be provided to receive consideration for relief, based on post-service conduct.  The Applicant’s evidence of post-service conduct was found not to mitigate his misconduct sufficient to warrant an upgrade to his discharge.  Relief not warranted.

The Applicant is reminded that he remains eligible for a personal appearance hearing, provided an application is received, at the NDRB, within 15 years from the date of his 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 P1900.16D, effective 890627 until 950817), Paragraph 6209, ALCOHOL REHABILITATION FAILURE.

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