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

ex-PFC, USMC
Docket No. MD04-01126

Applicant’s Request

The application for discharge review was received on 20040629.  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.

Decision

A documentary discharge review was conducted in Washington, D.C. on 20041122.  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/ENTRY LEVEL PERFORMANCE AND CONDUCT, authority: MARCORSEPMAN Par. 6205.

PART I - APPLICANT’S ISSUES AND DOCUMENTATION

Issues, as stated

Applicant’s issues, as stated on the application:

1.  “Dear Members,
I am writing to request a discharge review.  It is and was my desire to serve my country while upholding the laws and freedoms of our country.  Although not with the United States Marine Corps; I have been a faithful, and motivated member of the law enforcement community with Hamilton County Sheriff’s office in Ohio since 1998.  As a member of Hamilton County Sheriff’s office, I functioned as a trainer for new officers in many capacities.  It was my pleasure to instruct in Self-Defense, Baton instruction, Honor Guard, Field Training officer, and support recruits during the certification process.

Recently due to family obligations, I have moved to Indian Rocks Beach, Florida with plans to resume my career as soon as possible.  Although the service department has changed from Marine Corps to Law Enforcement, my life is and will continue to be dedicated to the service of my Country.  Please consider changing my discharge to honorable.

Thank you for this consideration.”

Documentation

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

Copy of DD Form 214 (2)
Basic Training Certificate dtd 980402
Adult Education Certificate dtd 971209
Corrections Basic Academy Certificate dtd 980529
Corrections Training Certificate dtd 980515
Defensive Tactics Instructor Certificate dtd 010126
Baton Training Certificate dtd 010627
Weapon Retention Training Certificate dtd 010703

PART II - SUMMARY OF SERVICE

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

	Active:   USMC		None
	Inactive: USMCR(J)		950803 - 950821	COG

Period of Service Under Review:

Date of Enlistment:  950822		Date of Discharge:  960308

Length of Service (years, months, days):

	Active:  00  06  16
	Inactive:  None

Age at Entry:  18			Years Contracted:  4 

Education Level:  12			AFQT:  61

Highest Rank:  PFC			MOS:  3500

Final Enlisted Performance Evaluation Averages (number of marks):

Proficiency:  4.2 (1)		Conduct:  4.2 (1)

Military Decorations:  None

Unit/Campaign/Service Awards:  NDSM 

Days of Unauthorized Absence:  None 

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

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

Chronological Listing of Significant Service Events:

960123:	Counseled for deficiencies in performance and conduct.  [Failure to adapt] Necessary corrective actions explained, sources of assistance provided, disciplinary and discharge warning issued.  

960123:	Medical evaluation by Naval Hospital, Camp Lejeune.

	AXIS I:  R/o Adj d/o w/ depressed mood, No malingering
	
	AXIS II:  Borderline personality disorder.

960209:	Applicant notified of intended recommendation for entry level discharge (uncharacterized) by reason of entry level performance and conduct as evidenced by your psychiatric evaluation of 23 Jan 1996.

960213:  	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.

960214:	Commanding officer recommended entry level separation by reason of a failure to adapt.  The factual basis for this recommendation was an evaluation by a medial officer revealing he suffered from a borderline personality disorder. 

960227:	GCMCA [CG, MCB CLNC] directed the Applicant's discharge with an uncharacterized (entry level) by reason entry level performance and conduct..

PART III – RATIONALE FOR DECISION AND PERTINENT REGULATION/LAW

Discussion

The Applicant was discharged on 19960308 with an entry level separation (uncharacterized) due to entry level performance and conduct (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 notified of separation proceedings 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 seven months in the military to warrant a change of discharge to "honorable."  Additionally, the Board has no authority to upgrade a discharge for the sole purpose of enhancing employment or educational opportunities.  Regulations limit the Board’s review to a determination on the propriety and equity of the discharge.  Relief denied.

The following is provided for the edification of the Applicant.  Normally, to permit relief, a procedural impropriety or inequity must have occurred during the discharge process for the period of enlistment in question.  The Board discovered no impropriety after a review of Applicant’s case.  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 naval service.  The NDRB is authorized, however, to consider post-service factors in the recharacterization of a discharge to the extent such matters provide a basis for a more thorough understanding of the applicant’s performance and conduct during the period of service under review.  Examples of documentation that should be provided to the Board include proof of educational pursuits, verifiable employment records, documentation of community service, and certification of non-involvement with civil authorities.  As of this time, the Applicant has not provided sufficient documentation for the Board to consider.  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 P1900.16E, effective 950818 until 010831), 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 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