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

 ex-PFC, USMC
Docket No. MD04-01097

Applicant’s Request

The application for discharge review was received on 20040622.  The Applicant requests the characterization of service received at the time of discharge be changed to honorable.  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 20041222.  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)/Unsatisfactory Performance - Unsatisfactory Performance of duties (administrative discharge board not required), authority: MARCORSEPMAN Par. 6206.3.

PART I - APPLICANT’S ISSUES AND DOCUMENTATION

Issues, as stated

No issues were submitted by the Applicant.

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)		920824 - 930822	COG

Period of Service Under Review:

Date of Enlistment:  930823		Date of Discharge:  950801

Length of Service (years, months, days):

	Active:    01  11  09
	Inactive:  None

Age at Entry:  18			Years Contracted:  4 

Education Level:  12			AFQT:  73

Highest Rank:  PFC			MOS:  6541

Final Enlisted Performance Evaluation Averages (number of marks):

Proficiency:  4.4 (4)			Conduct:  4.3 (4)

Military Decorations:  None

Unit/Campaign/Service Awards: NDSM

Days of Unauthorized Absence:  None

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

UNDER HONORABLE CONDITIONS (GENERAL)/Unsatisfactory Performance - Unsatisfactory performance of duties (administrative discharge board not required), authority:  MARCORSEPMAN Par. 6206.3

Chronological Listing of Significant Service Events:

940405:	Medical Eval:  No medical problem - fit for remedial physical fitness training.  Weight: 194.  Body Fat:  22.4%  Max Weight:  186.

940406:	Counseled concerning deficiency, specifically, failure to meet Marine Corps weight standards, advise of assistance available and corrective actions.   Discharge warning issued.

940502:	[Training officer] advised the commanding officer that Applicant failed to make appropriate progress from 940419 to 940502.

941012:	Counseled concerning your 6 month extension to Marine Corps Height and Weight Standards Program.  Advise of assistance available and corrective actions.   Discharge warning issued.

950320:	Counseled concerning general deficiency, specifically, failure to make satisfactory progress while assigned to the weight control program. Administrative separation warning issued.

950412:	Counseled concerning substandard performance, specifically failure to meet Marine Corps Height and Weight Standards.  Being processed for administrative separation.

950711:	Counseled this date concerning substandard performance, specifically lack of progress while assigned to PTP.  You have demonstrated a lack of motivation and generally poor attitude toward improving your physical fitness and you have made no progress towards being able to consistently pass the PFT or being removed from PTP.

950615:	Applicant notified of intended recommendation for discharge under honorable conditions (general) by reason of unsatisfactory performance of duties.  The basis for discharge is your unsatisfactory performance while assigned to the weight control program.  You do not qualify for separation based upon weight control failure because you have not made a reasonable effort to conform to Marine Corps height/weight standards by adhering to the regimen proscribed by an Appropriately Credentialed Health Care Provider and your Commanding Officer.

950615:	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.

950628:	Commanding officer recommended discharge under honorable conditions (general) by reason of unsatisfactory performance due to unsatisfactory performance of duties. 

950721:	GCMCA [CG, 2MAW] advised the Commandant of the Marine Corps that the Applicant's discharge was directed with a under honorable conditions (general) by reason unsatisfactory performance due to unsatisfactory performance of duties.

PART III – RATIONALE FOR DECISION AND PERTINENT REGULATION/LAW

Discussion

The Applicant was discharged on 19950801 under honorable conditions (general) due to unsatisfactory performance due to weight control failure (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 proper and equitable (D and E).

The Applicant introduced no decisional issues for consideration by the Board.

When the service of a Marine has been honest and faithful, it is appropriate to characterize that service as honorable.  A General discharge is warranted when significant negative aspects of a member's conduct or performance of duty outweigh the positive aspects of the member's military record.  The Applicant’s service was marred by a failure to make a reasonable effort to conform to Marine Corps height and weight standards.  The Applicant’s conduct, which forms the primary basis for determining the character of his service, reflects his willful failure to meet the requirements of his contract with the Marine Corps and falls far short of that required for an upgrade of his characterization of service.  Relief is not warranted.

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.  Paragraph 6206, UNSATISFACTORY PERFORMANCE, of the Marine Corps Separation and Retirement Manual, (MCO P1900.16D), effective 890627 until 950817, except for subparagraph 1, which was retroactively changed by ALMAR 57/93, effective 920310.

B.  ALMAR 57/93 (CMC 161805Z FEB 93), REVISED ENLISTED SEPARATION POLICY FOR WEIGHT CONTROL FAILURE

C.  Secretary of the Navy Instruction 5420.174D of 22 December 2004, Naval Discharge Review Board (NDRB) Procedures and Standards, Part II, AUTHORITY/POLICY FOR DEPARTMENTAL DISCHARGE REVIEW.

D  Secretary of the Navy Instruction 5420.174D of 22 December 2004, Naval Discharge Review Board (NDRB) Procedures and Standards, Part V, Para 502, Propriety.

E.  Secretary of the Navy Instruction 5420.174D of 22 December 2004, Naval Discharge Review Board (NDRB) Procedures and Standards, Part V, Para 503, Equity.

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 “http://Boards.law.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:

		Secretary of the Navy Council of Review Boards
		Attn:  Naval Discharge Review Board
		720 Kennon Street SE Rm 309
		Washington Navy Yard DC  20374-5023