ex-, USMC

Current Discharge and Applicant’s Request

Application Received:  20070510
Characterization of Service Received:  
Narrative Reason for Discharge:  
Authority for Discharge:  MARCORSEPMAN 1105 (DISCHARGE ADJUDGED BY SENTENCE OF COURT-MARTIAL)

Applicant’s Request:	Characterization change to: 
			Narrative Reason change to: 

Summary of Service

Prior Service:
Inactive: USMCR (DEP)	19870831 - 19880417  		Active:   	

Period of Service Under Review:
Date of Enlistment: 19880418		   Period of Enlistment:   Years   Months		Date of Discharge:  19931217
Length of Service:    Yrs    Mths  28  Dys	Education Level:  	Age at Enlistment:  	AFQT:  65
MOS:  1371  Highest Rank:   			Fitness Reports:  
Proficiency/Conduct Marks (# of occasions):	4.2 (11)/4.2 (11)
Awards and Decorations (per DD 214): Rifle       

Period of CONF:  19920424-19920531 (37 Days)
Period of APPL LV:  19920716-19931217 (416 Days)

SCMs:		
	19911115:  Article 112a (Drug use).  Sentence – CHL for 30 days, FOP,  

SPCMs:	
	19920424:  Article 112a (Drug use), 2 specifications.  Sentence – CHL for 45 days, FO, BCD

6105 Counseling: 
	19910919:  For DUI.

Types of Documents Submitted/reviewed

Related to Military Service:	DD 214:  	Service and/or Medical Record:  		Other Records:  

Related to Post-Service Period:	
	Employment:  			Finances:  			Education/Training:	
	Health/Medical Records:		Substance Abuse:			Criminal Records:	
	Family/Personal Status: 		Community Service:  		References:  		
	
Additional Statements From Applicant:  		From Representation:  		From Member of Congress:  

Other Documentation (Describe) : 
	- 10 pages from Webstite www.psychosocial.com on Substance Use Disorder and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder                 
                 Comorbidity: Addiction and Psychiatric Treatment Rates,
               - 3 pages from Website ajp.psychiatryonline.org on Substance Use Disorder in Patients with Posttraumatic Stress    
                 Disorder: A Review of the Literature, 
               - 3 pages from Website archpsyc.ama.assn on Archive of General Psychiatry,
               - 2 pages from Website www.caron.org on Research Review, Stress, PTSD and Substance Abuse, 
               - 1 page from Website www.jointogether.org on Addiction Rates High Among People with PTSD.   

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

Applicant’s Issues

1.  Requesting clemency based on post service conduct.

Decision

Date:  20080625		Location:  Washington D.C	 Representation:  

By a vote of  the Characterization shall  .
By a vote of  the Narrative Reason shall  .

Discussion

Issue 1 (Equity):  RELIEF WARRANTED.  In response to the Applicant’s clemency request through his representative, relevant and material facts stated in a court-martial specification are presumed by the NDRB to be established facts.  With respect to a discharge adjudged by a court-martial case, the action of the NDRB is restricted to upgrades based on clemency.  Clemency is an act of leniency that reduces the severity of the punishment imposed.  

The Applicant’s case was considered under the pertinent standards of equity to determine if any factors in this particular case merited clemency.  The Applicant requested an upgrade to a General (Under Honorable Conditions).  However, given the 
Applicant had both a summary and special court-martial for violations of the Uniform Code of Military Justice, Article 112a for a total of 3 specifications, the Board did not feel a upgrade, based on clemency, to a General (Under Honorable Conditions) was justified.   The NDRB found the evidence of record did contain sufficient mitigating or extenuating factors to offset the seriousness of the offense for which the discharge was awarded.  The evidence considered included, but was not limited to, the Applicant’s testimony regarding his self employment for pasts 10 years as a professional landscaper, abstinence from drugs and alcohol for 8 years, extensive volunteer efforts with others in drug and alcohol recovery and his mother’s testimony.  One aspect of the Applicant’s testimony indicated his effort to go before the NDRB was the final step of his amends list on his 12-step program that he has been working on for the past several years.  The Applicant demonstrated he has made significant strides in his personal life and his attitude towards his addictions.  The Board determined an upgrade to “Under Other Than Honorable Conditions” was warranted.  

After a thorough review of the available evidence, to include the Applicant’s Summary of Service, Medical and Service Record, Discharge Process and evidence submitted by the Applicant, the Board found that 

Pertinent Regulation/Law

A.  Paragraph 1105, DISCHARGE ADJUDGED BY SENTENCE OF COURTS-MARTIAL, of the Marine Corps Separation and Retirement Manual, (MCO P1900.16D), effective 27 Jun 89 until 17 Aug 95.

B.  Secretary of the Navy Instruction 5420.174D of 22 December 2004, Naval Discharge Review Board (NDRB) Procedures and Standards, Part II, Para 211, Regularity of Government Affairs, Part V, Para 502, Propriety and Para 503, Equity.

ADDENDUM:  Information for the Applicant

Complaint Procedures:  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 Instruction 1332.28, you may submit a complaint in accordance with Enclosure (5) of that Instruction to the Joint Service Review Activity, OUSD (P&R) PI-LP, The Pentagon, Washington, DC  20301-4000.  You should read Enclosure (5) of the Instruction 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 Instruction 1332.28 and other Decisional Documents by going online at “http://Boards.law.af.mil.”

Additional Reviews:  Subsequent to a document review, former members are eligible for a personal appearance hearing, provided the application is received at the NDRB within 15 years from the date of discharge.  The Applicant can provide documentation to support any claims of post-service accomplishments or any additional evidence related to this discharge.  Representation at a personal appearance hearing is recommended but not required.  If a former member has been discharged for more than 15 years, has already been granted a personal appearance hearing or has otherwise exhausted his opportunities before the NDRB, the Applicant may petition the Board for Correction of Naval Records (BCNR), 2 Navy Annex, Washington, DC 20370-5100 for further review.

Service Benefits:  The Veterans Administration determines eligibility for post-service benefits, not the Naval Discharge Review Board.  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.

Employment/Educational Opportunities:  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 of the propriety and equity of the discharge.  

Reenlistment/RE-code:  Since the NDRB has no jurisdiction over reenlistment, reentry, or reinstatement into the Navy, Marine Corps, or any other of the Armed Forces, the NDRB is not authorized to change a reenlistment code.  Only the Board for Correction of Naval Records (BCNR) can make changes to reenlistment codes.  Additionally, the Board has no authority to upgrade a discharge for the sole purpose of enhancing reenlistment opportunities.  An unfavorable “RE” code is, in itself, not a bar to reenlistment.  A request for a waiver can be submitted during the processing of a formal application for reenlistment through a recruiter.

Medical Conditions and Misconduct:  DoD disability regulations do not preclude a disciplinary separation.  Appropriate regulations stipulate that separations for misconduct take precedence over potential separations for other reasons.  Whenever a member is being processed through the Physical Evaluation Board, and subsequently is processed for an administrative involuntary separation for misconduct, the disability evaluation is suspended.  The Physical Evaluation Board case remains in suspense pending the outcome of the non-disability proceedings.  If the action includes either a punitive or administrative discharge for misconduct, the medical board report is filed in the member’s terminated health record.  Additionally, the NDRB does not have the authority to change a narrative reason for separation to one indicating a medical disability or other medical related reasons.  Only the Board for Correction of Naval Records can grant this type of narrative reason change.  

Automatic Upgrades - 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 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 may be provided to the Board include proof of educational pursuits, verifiable employment records, documentation of community service, credible evidence of a substance free lifestyle and certification of non-involvement with civil authorities.  

Issues Concerning Bad-Conduct Discharges (BCD) – Because relevant and material facts stated in a court-martial specification are presumed by the NDRB to be established facts, issues relating to the Applicant’s innocence of charges for which he was found guilty cannot form a basis for relief.  With respect to a discharge adjudged by a court-martial, the action of the NDRB is restricted to upgrades based on clemency.  Clemency is an act of leniency that reduces the severity of the punishment imposed.  

Board Membership:  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