Title: DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY
Author: CAP
Last saved by: janet.goode
Company: NCPB

Docket No. MD07-00932

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

ex-LCPL, USMC
MD07-00932

Current Discharge and Applicant’s Request

Application Received:  20070626	Characterization Received:  UNDER OTHER THAN HONORABLE CONDITIONS
Narrative Reason:  MISCONDUCT	Authority:  MARCORSEPMAN 6210.5

Applicant’s Request:	Characterization change to:  HONORABLE
			Narrative Reason change to: NONE REQUESTED
Applicant’s Issues:	1.  VA benefits.
			2.  Record of service.

Decision

By a vote of 5-0 the Characterization shall remain UNDER OTHER THAN HONORABLE CONDITIONS.
By a vote of 5-0 the Narrative Reason shall remain MISCONDUCT.

Date:  20071220     	DOCUMENTARY REVIEW	Location:  Washington D.C.	 Representation:  American Legion

Discussion

Issue 1:  This is either an Issue which the Board cannot form the basis of relief for the Applicant, or one that the Board does not have the authority to grant the relief for which the Applicant petitioned.  The Applicant is directed to the Addendum regarding this Issue.  

Issue 2 (Equity).  The Board reviews the propriety and equity of an Applicant’s discharge individually, on a case-by-case basis.  If such a review reveals an impropriety or inequity, relief is in order.  Regulations permit relief on equitable grounds if the Applicant’s discharge is inconsistent with standards of discipline of the Naval service.  There is credible evidence in the record that the Applicant possessed illegal drugs.  The evidence of record does not demonstrate that the Applicant was not responsible for his conduct or that he should not be held accountable for his actions.  When a Marine’s service has been honest and faithful, it is appropriate to characterize that service under honorable conditions.  A under other than honorable conditions 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.  Certain serious offenses, even though isolated, warrant separation from the Naval service in order to maintain proper order and discipline. The Applicant’s service was marred by a conviction in civilian court for possession of marijuana, a violation of UCMJ Article 112a.  Individuals are indoctrinated from the day of recruitment and have had the policy reinforced throughout their enlistment on the Marie Corps’ zero tolerance policy for substance abuse and that a violation of this policy will result in mandatory processing for administrative separation which usually results in an unfavorable characterization of discharge.  The Applicant signed this policy on the first day of his enlistment.  A violation of Article 112a is considered a serious offense for which a punitive discharge is authorized if adjudged by a Special or General Courts Martial.  An upgrade to honorable would be inappropriate.

In reviewing discharges, the Board presumes regularity in the conduct of Government affairs unless there is substantial credible evidence to rebut the presumption, to include evidence submitted by the Applicant.  After a thorough review of the available evidence, to include the Applicant’s Summary of Service, Medical and Service Record Entries, Discharge Process and evidence submitted by the Applicant, the Board found that the discharge was proper and equitable. 

Summary of Service

Prior Service:
Inactive: USMCR (DEP)	19960131 - 19960902  COG
Period of Service Under Review:
Date of Enlistment: 19960903	Years Contracted:  4; Extension:  NONE.	Date of Discharge:  19990730
Length of Service:  02 Yrs    10 Mths   28 Dys	Lost Time:  Days UA:  NONE  Days Confined:  NONE
Education Level:  12	Age at Enlistment:  18	AFQT:  43   	MOS:  3531  Highest Rank:  LCPL
Proficiency/Conduct marks (# of occasions):	4.4(7) / 4.4(7) 
Awards and Decorations (per DD 214):  SSDR  

Medical/Service Record Entries Related to Characterization of Service or Basis for Discharge

19960131:	Applicant signs Marine Corps policy concerning use of illegal drugs.

19980903:	MARCORSEPMAN 6105 counseling for civil conviction for possession of marijuana on 19980808.  Discharge warning issued.

19981028:	MARCORSEPMAN 6105 counseling for failure to conform to Marine Corps physical fitness standards.  Discharge warning issued.

Discharge Process

Date Notified:	ILLEGIBLE
Basis for Discharge:	MISCONDUCT DUE TO DRUG ABUSE
	
Least Favorable Characterization:	UNDER OTHER THAN HONORABLE CONDITIONS
Commanding Officer’s Intended Recommendation:	UNDER OTHER THAN HONORABLE CONDITIONS

Date Applicant Responded to Notification:		ILLEGIBLE
Rights Elected at Notification:
	Consult with Counsel			NOT FOUND IN RECORD
	Obtain Copies of Documents		NOT FOUND IN RECORD
	Submit Statement(s) (date)			NOT FOUND IN RECORD  
	Administrative Board			ELECTED

Administrative Board Date:	19990602
              Findings, by preponderance of the evidence:	ILLEGIBLE
              Recommendation on Separation: 	SEPARATE 
              Recommendation on Characterization:	ILLEGIBLE 
             
Commanding Officer Recommendation (date):	ILLEGIBLE
SJA review (date):	ILLEGIBLE
Separation Authority (date):	COMMANDER, MARINE CORPS BASE QUANTICO (19990811)
              Basis for discharge directed:	MISCONDUCT DUE TO DRUG ABUSE
              Characterization directed:	UNDER OTHER THAN HONORABLE CONDITIONS
Date Applicant Discharged:	19990730

Types of Documents Submitted by Applicant and Considered By Board

Related to Military Service:	Service and/or Medical Record:  ☒		Other Records:  ☐

Related to Post-Service Period:  	
	Employment:  		☐	Finances:  		☐	Education: 		☐
	Health/Medical Records:  	☐	Substance Abuse:		☐	Criminal Records:  	☐
	Family/Personal Status: 	☐	Community Service:  	☐	References:  		☐
	
Additional Statements From Applicant:  ☒	From Representative:  ☒  
Other Documentation (Describe) ☒ VA administrative decision letter

Pertinent Regulation/Law

A.  Paragraph 6210, MISCONDUCT, of the Marine Corps Separation and Retirement Manual, (MCO P1900.16E), effective 31 Jan 97 until 31 August 2001.

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.

C.  The Manual for Courts-Martial authorizes the award of a punitive discharge if adjudged as part of the sentence upon conviction by a special or general court-martial for violation of the UCMJ, Article 112a.

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 “PTSD.”  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