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

Docket No. MD08-01160

ex-PFC, USMC

Current Discharge and Applicant’s Request

Application Received:  20080501
Characterization of Service Received:  OTHER THAN HONORABLE
Narrative Reason for Discharge:  MISCONDUCT DUE TO DRUG USE
Authority for Discharge:  MARCORSEPMAN 6210.5 (DRUGS)

Applicant’s Request:	Characterization change to:  HONORABLE
			Narrative Reason change to: NONE REQUESTED

Summary of Service

Prior Service:
Inactive: USMCR (DEP)	19960624 - 19970615  COG		Active:   NONE

Period of Service Under Review:
Date of Enlistment: 19970616		   Period of Enlistment:  4 Years  0 Months		Date of Discharge:  19990927
Length of Service:  02  Yrs  03  Mths  12  Dys	Education Level:  12	Age at Enlistment:  18	AFQT:  66
MOS:  0313  	Highest Rank:  LANCE CORPORAL 			Fitness Reports:  NOT APPLICABLE
Proficiency/Conduct Marks (# of occasions): NFIR/NFIR
Awards and Decorations (per DD 214):  Rifle MM COC AFEM SSDR

Periods of UA/CONF:  NONE

NJPs:	1
	19990727:  Art 112a (Wrongfully use methylene dioxyamphetamine, methylene dioxymethamphetamine (Ecstasy)).
	                   Awarded - FOP RIR RESTR EPD.  Susp - NONE.

6105 Counseling: NONE
	19990927:  For illegal drug involvement, (methamphetamine usage identified through urinalysis confirmed by NAVDRUGLAB JAXFL message 120900Z Oct97).

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) ☐ 

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

Applicant’s Issues
1.  Desires to reenlist.
2. Young and immature.
3.  Isolated incident.

Decision

Date:  20080711	DOCUMENTARY REVIEW	Location:  Washington D.C.	 Representation:  NONE

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 (DRUG ABUSE).

Discussion

Issue 1 (Equity):   The Applicant asks for an opportunity to reenlist in the Marine Corps in order to serve his country and build a better future for himself and his family.  This is either an Issue which the Board cannot form the basis of relief for the Applicant, or one the Board does not have the authority to grant the relief for which the Applicant petitioned.  The Applicant is directed to the Addendum, specifically the paragraph concerning Reenlistment/RE Codes, regarding this Issue.

Issue 2 (Equity):  RELIEF NOT WARRANTED.  The Applicant states this incident was a one time mistake in an otherwise flawless 28 month service record.  He claims this occurred a long time ago, when he was young, and he has matured since then.   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.  The Applicant contends his youth and immaturity mitigates his misconduct.   During the service record review it was noted his Company Commander, in his separation endorsement, writes that despite numerous command classes explaining the USMC drug policy, in which ecstasy use was highlighted, Pvt Sheridan went to a “rave” party and ingested the drug with total disregard for the consequences.   While Pvt Sheridan may feel his immaturity was the underlying cause of his misconduct, the record clearly reflects his willful misconduct and demonstrated he was unfit for further military service.  The evidence of record does not demonstrate the Applicant was not responsible for his conduct or that he should not be held accountable for his actions based on youth or immaturity.    The Board determined an upgrade was not appropriate. 

Issue 3 (Equity):  RELIEF NOT WARRANTED.  The Applicant states his discharge was based on one isolated incident.  Despite a service member’s prior record of service, certain serious offenses, even though isolated, warrant separation from the naval service in order to maintain proper order and discipline.  Illegal drug use cannot be tolerated by any member of the Marine Crops regardless of grade or time in service.  When a Marine’s service has been honest and faithful, it is appropriate to characterize that service under honorable conditions.  An 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.   The Applicant’s record of service was marred by one non-judicial punishment for a violation of the Uniform Code of Military Justice, Article 112a for drug abuse and one retention warning for illegal drug involvement.  Violation of Article 112a is considered a serious offense, punishable by a punitive discharge and up to 5 years imprisonment if adjudged as part of the sentence upon conviction by a special or general court-martial.  The command did not pursue a court marital but opted instead to discharge the Applicant through an Administrative Separation.  The Applicant’s conduct, which forms the primary basis for determining the character of service, reflects the Applicant’s willful failure to meet the requirements of the Naval Service and falls far short of what is required for an upgrade in the characterization of service.   The Board determined an upgrade or change would be inappropriate.

After a thorough review of the available evidence, to include the Applicant’s Summary of Service, Service Record, Discharge Process and evidence submitted by the Applicant, the Board found the discharge was proper and equitable.

Pertinent Regulation/Law

A.  Paragraph 6210, MISCONDUCT, of the Marine Corps Separation and Retirement Manual, (MCO P1900.16E), effective 
31 January 1997 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 or is referred to a court-martial 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 special 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.  The NDRB does not have the jurisdictional authority to review a discharge or dismissal resulting from a general court-martial.

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

Key:	NFIR - Not Found In Record 	UA – Unauthorized absence	NJP – Nonjudicial punishment	SCM – Summary court-martial
	SPCM – Special court-martial	FOP – Forfeiture of pay	RIR – Reduction in rank	EPD – Extra Duties
	CONF – Confinement		B&W – Confinement on bread and water			CC - Civilian conviction

Key:	NFIR - Not Found In Record 	UA – Unauthorized absence	NJP – Nonjudicial punishment	SCM – Summary court-martial	
	SPCM – Special court-martial	FOP – Forfeiture of pay	RIR – Reduction in rank	EPD – Extra Duties 
	CONF – Confinement		B&W – Confinement on bread and water