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

Docket No. MD09-00404

ex-Pvt, USMC

Current Discharge and Applicant’s Request

Application Received:  20081210
Characterization of Service Received:  BAD CONDUCT DISCHARGE
Narrative Reason for Discharge:  COURT-MARTIAL
Authority for Discharge:  MARCORSEPMAN 1105 (COURT-MARTIAL)

Applicant’s Request:  Characterization change to:  GENERAL (UNDER HONORABLE CONDITIONS)
		       Narrative Reason change to:  NONE REQUESTED

Summary of Service

Prior Service:
Inactive: USMCR (DEP)	19991112 - 20000813  COG	Active:	NONE

Period of Service Under Review:
Date of Enlistment:  20000814	Age at Enlistment:  18
Period of Enlistment:  4 Years  0 Months
Date of Discharge:  20030213	Highest Rank:  PRIVATE FIRST CLASS
Length of Service:  02  Year(s)  06  Month(s)  00  Day(s)
Education Level:  12	AFQT:  54
MOS:  0612
Proficiency/Conduct Marks (# of occasions):  3.3 (NFIR) / 3.1 (NFIR)	Fitness Reports:  NOT APPLICABLE

Awards and Decorations (per DD 214):	Rifle NONE Pistol NONE 

Periods of UA/CONF:  UA/20010420-20010518 (29 days), 20010522-20010625 (34 days), CONF/20010720-20010826 (37 days)

NJP:  NONE

SCM:  1

- 20010702:	Article 86 (UA), 2 specifications
	Article 92 (Violation of a lawful order), 3 specifications 
	Sentence: RIR E-1 CONF 30 DAYS FOP

SPCM:  1

- 20010827:	Article 86 (Unauthorized absence)
	Article 89 (Disrespect towards a Commissioned Officer)
	Article 92 (Violation of a lawful order) 
	Sentence:  BCD; Confinement for 90 days, excess of 45 days will be suspended for a period of 6 months from the date of the CA's action.

CC:  NONE

Retention Warning Counseling:  NONE

Types of Documents Submitted/reviewed

Related to Military Service: 
              DD 214:  ☒	                            Service/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 Congress member:    ☐

                    Other Documentation:  ☐

Pertinent Regulation/Law

A.  Paragraph 1105, DISCHARGE ADJUDGED BY SENTENCE OF COURT-MARTIAL, of the Marine Corps Separation and Retirement Manual, (MCO P1900.16F), effective 1 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 IV, Para 403m(7)(a), Presumption Concerning Court-Martial Specifications.

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 violations of the UCMJ, Articles 86, 89, and 92.

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

Applicant’s Issues

1. Charges not based on facts and marital rights were violated.
2. Wants to make amends.
Decision

Date:  20090312	DOCUMENTARY REVIEW	Location: Washington D.C.	 Representation: NONE

By a vote of 5-0 the Characterization shall remain BAD CONDUCT DISCHARGE.
By a vote of 5-0 the Narrative Reason shall remain COURT-MARTIAL.

Discussion

Issue 1:  (Clemency)  RELIEF NOT WARRANTED.   The Applicant contends his discharge was not based on facts but rather by his commanding officer’s personal judgment, and his “marital rights were violated.”   In response to the Applicant’s clemency request, 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.  

Despite a Marine’s request, certain serious offenses warrant separation from the naval service to maintain proper order and discipline.   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’s record of service was marred by one SCM for violations of the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ):  Article 86 (UA), 2 specifications, and Article 92 (Violation of a lawful order), 3 specifications; and one SPCM for violations of the UCMJ: Article 86 (UA), Article 89 (Disrespect towards a Superior Commissioned Officer), and Article 92 (Violation of a lawful order).  At the SPCM, the Applicant was awarded a “Bad Conduct Discharge.”  The Applicant’s case was considered under the pertinent standards of equity to determine if any factors in this particular case merited clemency.  The Board determined the reason for discharge, convicted by special court-martial, was appropriate.  Relief denied.

Issue 2:  (Clemency)  RELIEF NOT WARRANTED.   The Applicant contends his discharge should be upgraded because he wants to make amends for his actions.  In determining whether clemency is appropriate, the NDRB is authorized to consider outstanding post-service conduct to the extent that 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 verifiable documentation that should be provided for consideration by the Board for post-service upgrades include, but is not limited to: evidence of continuing educational pursuits; continuous long-term employment records; documentation of community service or church involvement; certification of non-involvement with civil authorities; financial stability or evidence of good standing with credit card companies or other financial institutions; and credible evidence of a substance-free lifestyle.  However, the Applicant is advised completion of these items alone does not guarantee the upgrade of an unfavorable discharge as each discharge is reviewed by the Board on a case-by-case basis to determine if post-service conduct warrants clemency. 

Besides the DD Form 293, the Applicant provided no documentation for review.  To warrant an upgrade the Applicant’s post-service efforts need to be more encompassing.  The Applicant could have produced additional evidence as stated in the above paragraph with the full understanding completion of these items alone does not guarantee an upgrade.  Should the Applicant feel his post-service conduct becomes substantial enough to warrant a personal appearance, there are veteran’s organizations, such as the American Legion, willing to provide guidance to assist former service members in their efforts to obtain a discharge upgrade.  

After a thorough review of the available evidence, to include the Applicant’s Summary of Service, Service Record, Discharge Process and DD Form 293 submitted by the Applicant, the Board found clemency was not warranted.

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 – Non-judicial punishment	SCM – Summary court-martial
	SPCM – Special court-martial	FOP – Forfeiture of pay	RIR – Reduction in rank	EPD – Extra Duties
	CONF – Confinement	CC - Civilian conviction	CCU - Correctional Custody Unit	B&W – Confinement on bread and water

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