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

Docket No. MD07-01084

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

ex-Cpl, USMC
MD07-01084

Current Discharge and Applicant’s Request

Application Received:  20070803 	Characterization Received:  GENERAL (UNDER HONORABLE CONDITIONS)
Narrative Reason:  UNSATISFACTORY PERFORMANCE 	Authority:  MARCORSEPMAN 6206

Applicant’s Request:	Characterization change to:  HONORABLE
			Narrative Reason change to: WEIGHT CONTROL FAILURE
Applicant’s Issues:	1. Discharge not warranted by overall service record

Decision

By a vote of 5-0 the Characterization shall remain GENERAL (UNDER HONORABLE CONDITIONS).
By a vote of 5-0 the Narrative Reason shall remain UNSATISFACTORY PERFORMANCE.

Date:  20080117	DOCUMENTARY REVIEW	Location:  Washington D.C.	 Representation:  NONE

Discussion

Issue 2 (Propriety/Equity).An honorable characterization of service is warranted when the quality of a member’s service generally meets the standard of acceptable conduct and performance for naval personnel, or is otherwise so meritorious that any other characterization of service would be clearly inappropriate.  A general (under honorable conditions) discharge is warranted when the quality of the member’s service has been honest and faithful but significant negative aspects of the member’s conduct or performance of duty outweighed the positive aspects of the member’s service record.  When a Marine is involuntarily administratively separated prior to the end of obligated active service, proficiency and conduct marks are not determinative of the characterization of service.  Weight Control Failure is an appropriate basis for discharge when a Marine merely fails, despite best efforts, to maintain weight and body fat standards.  Per regulation, that basis is not appropriate when the failure is due to a lack of effort, or apathy or indifference.  The Applicant’s service was marred by assignment to the Body Composition Program and a Physical Fitness Test failure, and further marred by a failure to make adequate progress toward his weight loss goals.  The record supports the basis for discharge as unsatisfactory performance with a characterization of service as general (under honorable conditions).  

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)	19991110 - 20000924  COG		Active:   NONE	
Period of Service Under Review:
Date of Enlistment: 20000925		Years Contracted:  4; Extension:  NONE.		Date of Discharge:  20040325
Length of Service:  03  Yrs  06  Mths  1  Dys			Lost Time:  Days UA:  NONE  Days Confined:  NONE
Education Level:  UNDERGRADUATE DEGREE  		Age at Enlistment:  18	AFQT:  89	MOS:  9812  Highest Rank:  CORPORAL				Proficiency/Conduct marks (# of occasions):	4.3(9)/4.1(9)	
Awards and Decorations (per DD 214):  Rifle MM, NUC, GCM, NDSM, LtrAPR(5)

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

20021212:	Applicant failed semi-annual Physical Fitness Test.

20030528:	Applicant placed on Body Composition Program (BCP).  Maximum weight: 198.  Actual weight/body fat: 217 lbs/27%.  Loss goal:  19 lbs/9%.    

20030909:	Applicant referred for 4-month medical evaluation.  Lost 1 lb/gained 1% body fat since assignment to BCP.

20031128:	End of 1^st 6-month assignment to BCP.  Applicant advised he had failed to make satisfactory progress and would be processed for administrative separation.

Discharge Process

Date Notified:	20040224
Basis for Discharge:	UNSATISFACTORY PERFORMANCE as evidenced by failure to meet weight control/body composition standards 
Least Favorable Characterization:	GENERAL (UNDER HONORABLE CONDITIONS)
Commanding Officer’s Intended Recommendation:	GENERAL (UNDER HONORABLE CONDITIONS)

Date Applicant Responded to Notification:		20040224
Rights Elected at Notification:
	Consult with Counsel			WAIVED
	Obtain Copies of Documents		ELECTED
	Submit Statement(s) (date)			WAIVED  
	Administrative Board			NOT APPLICABLE

Commanding Officer Recommendation (date):	GENERAL (UNDER HONORABLE CONDITIONS) (20040224)
SJA review (date):	NOT FOUND IN RECORD 
Separation Authority (date):	COMMANDER, MCB QUANTICO (20040311)
              Basis for discharge directed:	UNSATISFACTORY PERFORMANCE 
              Characterization directed:	GENERAL (UNDER HONORABLE CONDITIONS)
Date Applicant Discharged:	20040325

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) ☒ Picture

Pertinent Regulation/Law

A.  Paragraph 6206, UNSATISFACTORY PERFORMANCE, of the Marine Corps Separation and Retirement Manual, (MCO P1900.16F), effective 01 September 2001 until Present.

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 “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