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

ex-LCpl, USMC
Docket No. MD04-01211

Applicant’s Request

The application for discharge review was received on 20040715.  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 designate a 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, the NDRB found that the discharge was proper but not equitable.  The Board’s vote was 4 to 1 that the character of the discharge shall change to HONORABLE /CONDITION NOT A DISABILITY, authority: MARCORSEPMAN Par. 6203.2.

PART I - APPLICANT’S ISSUES AND DOCUMENTATION

Issues, as stated

Applicant’s issues, as stated on the application:

“I would like my discharge to be upgraded because at the beginning I was going to ge honorable discharge and then my platoon 1stSgt wanted to have it changed.  I was a good marine with no bad marks ever in my SRB.  My conduct marks have always been good.  I did not have a copy of my SRB with me.  I was a good marine and always put 110% in everything that I did.  I couldn’t help that I got hurt.  I wanted the Admin Sep. way because it was faster and I was ready to get on with my life.  I never did anything bad in the military.  I never got bad conduct marks and in a way I think my unit company didn’t want me getting full honorable b/c they always gave me a hard time for being hurt and not being able to fulfill my marine duties.”

Documentation

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

Applicant’s DD Form 214
Notification of Separation Proceedings, (3 pages) dtd Nov 18, 2003
Copy of Memorandum from Officer in Charge, 14 Area Group Aid Station, 1st Force 	Service Support Group, (not signed) dtd 29 Oct 03
Copy of results of Imaging Services bone scan, dtd 10/24/2002
Copy of Medical Board Notification, (not signed) dtd 1 July 03
Copy of SJA Review and GCMCA Endorsement of recommended discharge, dtd Feb 	12, 2004

PART II - SUMMARY OF SERVICE

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

	Active:   None
	Inactive: USMCR(J)		020719 - 020825	COG

Period of Service Under Review:

Date of Enlistment:  020826		Date of Discharge:  040218

Length of Service (years, months, days):

	Active:  01 05  23
	Inactive:  None

Age at Entry:  18			Years Contracted:  4

Education Level:  12			AFQT:  35

Highest Rank:  LCpl			MOS:  0612

Final Enlisted Performance Evaluation Averages (number of marks):

Proficiency:  4.3 (3)		Conduct:  4.3 (3)

Military Decorations:  None

Unit/Campaign/Service Awards:  NDSM, RMB

Days of Unauthorized Absence:  None

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

GENERAL (UNDER HONORABLE CONDITIONS)/ CONDITION NOT A DISABILITY, authority:  MARCORSEPMAN Par. 6203.2.

Chronological Listing of Significant Service Events:

021024:	Bone scan conducted at Low County Medical Group, Beaufort, SC.  
	Impression:  Stress fracture of the left inferior pubic ramus; correlation with conventional radiographs may be useful.

030701:	Medical Board Notification ICO: PFC A_E.S_ [Applicant].  SNM has been evaluated and has appeared before a Medical Board convened at Naval Hospital Camp Pendleton, CA.  
Diagnosis: left patellofemoral pain syndrome/pelvic structure. 
Limitations are: no strenuous running, marching, PFTs, and PT at own pace. 
Anticipated disposition of the Medical Board is:  Limited Duty for 8 months.

031028:	Evaluation at Naval Hospital Camp Pendleton Orthopedics Clinic:  left knee pain, left hip pain, pain continues.  Limited duty started 030701.  Recommend Administrative Separation under Marine Corps Order 1900.16D. 
	
031029:	Medical Officer Recommendation for Administrative Separation of LCPL A_E.S_ [Applicant].  “The above SNM [Applicant] has been evaluated for and has been found to have a physical condition, not disability.  The SNM has been through extensive evaluation by a competent medical authority for this condition and has aggressively attempted to comply with medical’s recommendation for rehabilitation of the condition without significant improvement, as such this condition is considered beyond the individuals control.  If the SNM is retained on active duty, the command needs to realize that her condition may prevent her from fulfilling the duties and responsibilities of her rank and MOS, and that the SNM may be on and off Light Duty for remainder of their tour.” 

031117:	Evaluation at Camp Pendleton Naval Hospital, Mental Health Department. 
	Axis I:  Major Depressive disorder/chronic
	Axis II:  Personality Disorder NOS
	Axis III:  Interior pubic/ramus/fxr (resolving), with Border-line traits
	Axis IV:  Military lifestyle
	Axis V:  GAF 55
	Plan/Recommendations:
1.	No access to weapons.
2.	Service Member is unsuitable for further military service.
3.	Administrative Separation is recommended for this member.  This member manifests a longstanding disorder of character and behavior, which is of such severity as to render her incapable of serving adequately in the military.  The member does not require and will not benefit from hospitalization.  Although not an immediate risk to self and others at this time, this member is judged to be a continual risk of harm to self/if retained on active duty.  This member is deemed fit to return to duty to be processed for Administrative Separation.  This Administrative Separation should be initiated in accordance with MCO 6203.3 and MILPERSMAN 1910-122.

031229:	Applicant notified of intended recommendation for discharge with a general (under honorable conditions) by reason of convenience of the government for a condition not a disability.

031231:	Applicant advised of rights and having elected 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.

040115:	Commanding officer recommended discharge with a general (under honorable conditions) by reason of convenience of the government for a condition not a disability.  The factual basis for this recommendation was the ”medical officer’s examination confirming your [Applicant] physical condition not a disability.”   

040129:	SJA review determined the case sufficient in law and fact.

040212:	GCMCA, Commanding General, 1st Force Service Support Group, directed the Applicant's discharge with a general (under honorable conditions) by reason of condition not a disability.

PART III – RATIONALE FOR DECISION AND PERTINENT REGULATION/LAW

Discussion

The Applicant was discharged on 20040218 with a general (under honorable conditions) by reason of convenience of the government due to condition not a disability (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 but not equitable (C and D).

The Board found that in the Applicant’s case, the characterization of service record should have been the “type warranted by service record’.  A review of the Applicant’s records indicated an honorable discharge was warranted.  The Applicant’s performance and behavior were above the standard required for an honorable discharge and there was no adverse information that would have warranted a less favorable characterization.  Therefore, relief is granted.

Pertinent Regulation/Law (at time of discharge)

A.  Marine Corps Separation and Retirement Manual, (MCO P1900.16F, effective 
01 September 2001 and Present), paragraph 6203, CONVENIENCE OF THE GOVERNMENT

B.  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.

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

D.  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