Title: DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY
Author: CAP
Last saved by: lois.rojas
Company: NCPB

Docket No. MD11-00326

ex-PFC, USMC

Current Discharge and Applicant’s Request

Application Received:  20101118
Characterization of Service Received: (corrected) GENERAL (UNDER HONORABLE CONDITIONS)
Narrative Reason for Discharge: (per DD 214) COMPLETION OF REQUIRED ACTIVE SERVICE
Authority for Discharge: (per DD 214) MARCORSEPMAN 1005 [COMPLETION OF REQUIRED ACTIVE SERVICE]

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

Summary of Service

Prior Service:
Inactive:	USMCR (DEP)	20041223 - 20050814  COG	Active:	NONE

Period of Service Under Review:
Date of Current Enlistment:  20050815	Age at Enlistment:  19
Period of Enlistment:  4 Years  0 Months
Date of Discharge:  20090814	Highest Rank:  CORPORAL
Length of Service:  04  Year(s)  00  Month(s)  00  Day(s)
Education Level:  12	AFQT:  32
MOS:  3521
Proficiency/Conduct Marks (# of occasions):  NFIR / NFIR	Fitness Reports:  NOT APPLICABLE

Awards and Decorations (per DD 214):	Rifle SS Pistol MM SSDR ICM GWOTSM NDSM CoA

Periods of UA/CONF:  NONE

NJP:  2

- 20080422:	Article 92 (Failure to obey order or regulation, 2 specifications)
	Specification 1: To not drink and operate a motor vehicle, aboard MCB Hawaii with BAC .104, 20080420
	Specification 2: Not signing out of the liberty log book, o/o 20080420
	Article 111 (Drunken driving, BAC .104, o/o 20080420)
	Awarded: RIR (to E-3) RESTR EPD FOP   Suspended:  NONE

- 20090212:	Article 121 (Steal a debit Master Card, the property of another, El Paso, TX, o/o 20081229)
	Article 128 (Assault a PFC, the Assistant Duty Non NCO, Barracks 7007 aboard MCBH, 20090124)
	Awarded: RIR (to E-2) FOP RESTR   Suspended:  NONE

SCM:  NONE		SPCM:  NONE		CC:  NONE

CC Arrest:  1

- 20080422:	Offense:  DUI

Retention Warning Counseling:  2

- 20070415:	For concerning your misconduct on 20060930, due to receiving a DUI and have a BAC of .19%.  You are currently pending a court appearance in Honolulu, HI on 30 Oct 2007 for this incident.  Your court appearance has been rescheduled three times due to operational commitments. 

- 20090212:	For Battalion level NJP for violations of Articles 121 and 128 of the UCMJ held on 20090212.

Administrative Corrections to the Applicant’s DD 214

The NDRB did note administrative error(s) on the original DD Form 214:

	Block 24, Character of Service, should read: “GENERAL (UNDER HONORABLE CONDITIONS)”

The NDRB will recommend to the Commandant of the Marine Corps that the DD 214 be corrected as appropriate.

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:	☐	Rehabilitation/Treatment:	☐	Criminal Records:	☐
	Personal Documentation:	☐	Community Service:	☐	References:	☒
	Department of VA letter:	☐	Other Documentation:	☒
		Additional Statements:
	From Applicant:	☐	From/To Representation:	☐	From/To Congress member:	☐

Pertinent Regulation/Law

A.  Marine Corps Separation and Retirement Manual, (MCO P1900.16F), effective 1 September 2001 until Present, Paragraph 1005, DISCHARGE FOR EXPIRATION OF ENLISTMENT OR FULFILLMENT OF SERVICE OBLIGATION.

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.

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

Applicant’s Issues

1.	Applicant seeks a discharge upgrade to increase employment opportunities.
2.	Applicant seeks a discharge upgrade to obtain veteran education benefits.
3.	Post-service conduct.

Decision

Date:  20120216	DOCUMENTARY REVIEW	Location: Washington D.C.	 Representation: NONE

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 COMPLETION OF REQUIRED ACTIVE SERVICE.

Discussion

The NDRB, under its responsibility to examine the propriety and equity of an Applicant’s discharge, is authorized to change the character of service and the reason for discharge if such change is warranted.  In reviewing discharges, the Board presumes regularity in the conduct of governmental affairs unless there is substantial credible evidence to rebut the presumption, to include evidence submitted by the Applicant.  The Applicant did not identify any decisional issues for the Board’s consideration.  However, the Board did complete a thorough review of the circumstances that led to his discharge and the discharge process to ensure his discharge met the pertinent standards of equity and propriety.  The Applicant’s record of service included two 6105 counseling warnings, two nonjudicial punishments (NJPs) for violations of the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ): Article 92 (Failure to obey an order or regulation, 2 specifications: drove vehicle after consuming alcohol, aboard MCB Hawaii with BAC .104, o/o 20 Apr 2008; and failed to sign out of liberty logbook, o/o 20 Apr 2008), Article 111 (Drunken driving, BAC .104, aboard MCB Hawaii, 20 Apr 2008), Article 121 (Larceny, stole debit Master Card in El Paso, TX, o/o 29 Dec 2008), and Article 128 (Assault, of a PFC who was known to be the Assistant Duty Non-Commissioned Officer, in MCB Hawaii barracks 7007 by restraining him with his hands and arms, 24 Jan 2009).  The record also revealed a 28 Jan 2009 Page 11 counseling for receiving Proficiency and Conduct marks below the standard marks based on his performance and evaluation on a daily basis by his superiors.  The record also reflected a civilian arrest for DUI in April 2008.  Based on the offenses committed by the Applicant, his command could have referred him to trial by court-martial or processed him for administrative separation.  However, his Commanding Officer opted to retain the Applicant and allow him to reach the end of his active obligated service (EAOS).  The Applicant was released from the Marine Corps on 14 Aug 2009 with a General (Under Honorable Conditions) discharge due to Completion of Required Active Service.

Per the Marine Corps Separation and Retirement Manual, a Marine may be awarded a General (Under Honorable Conditions) discharge if a member’s service has been honest and faithful, but significant negative aspects of the member’s conduct or performance outweigh positive aspects of the member’s military record.  Additionally, if a member’s average Proficiency marks are below 3.0 and/or average Conduct marks are below 4.0, the Marine can be awarded a General (Under Honorable Conditions) discharge.  A review of the Applicant’s service record reveals no indication of his enlistment Proficiency and Conduct marks.  However, his record does reflect a pattern of inconsistent performance and conduct as evidenced by a civil arrest for DUI, two 6105 retention warnings, and two NJPs (which included findings of guilt for DUI, assault, and larceny).  Based on the significant misconduct of record, and without the Applicant’s Pro/Con mark history, the NDRB determined that the Applicant’s command was justified in awarding him a General (Under Honorable Conditions) characterization of service upon separation.

Issues 1-2:  (Nondecisional) The Applicant seeks a discharge upgrade to increase employment opportunities and to obtain veteran education benefits.  The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) determines eligibility for post-service benefits, not the NDRB.  Additionally, the NDRB has no authority to upgrade a discharge for the sole purpose of enhancing employment or educational opportunities as regulations limit the NDRB’s review to a determination of the propriety and equity of the discharge.

Issue 3:  (Decisional) (Equity)  RELIEF NOT WARRANTED.  The Applicant contends his post-service conduct warrants consideration for an upgrade to Honorable.  The NDRB considers outstanding post-service conduct 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.  The Applicant provided a college transcript and two letters of personal reference.  The Applicant could have provided documentation as detailed in the Post-Service Conduct paragraph in the Addendum, however, completion of these items alone does not guarantee an upgrade from an unfavorable discharge as each discharge is reviewed by the Board on a case by case basis to determine if post-service conduct establishes that the in-service misconduct was an aberration.  To warrant an upgrade, the Applicant’s post-service efforts need to be more encompassing.  The Board determined that the documentation submitted by the Applicant does not demonstrate if in-service misconduct was an aberration.  The characterization of service received was appropriate considering the length of service and UCMJ violations.  Relief denied.

Summary:  After a thorough review of the available evidence, to include the Applicant’s summary of service, service record entries and the completion of required active service separation process, the Board found the discharge was proper and equitable.  Therefore, the awarded characterization of service shall remain GENERAL (UNDER HONORABLE CONDITIONS) and the narrative reason for separation shall remain COMPLETION OF REQUIRED ACTIVE SERVICE.  The Applicant remains eligible for a personal appearance hearing for a period of fifteen years from the date of his discharge.  The Applicant is directed to the Addendum for additional information.

ADDENDUM:  Information for the Applicant

Complaint Procedures:  If you believe 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:  After a document review has been conducted, former members are eligible for a personal appearance hearing, provided the application is received at the NDRB within 15 years of the Applicant’s 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.  There are veterans organizations such as the American Legion and the Disabled American Veterans that are willing to provide guidance to former service members in their efforts to obtain a discharge upgrade.  If a former member has been discharged for more than 15 years, has already been granted a personal appearance hearing or has otherwise exhausted their 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 U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) determines eligibility for post-service benefits, not the NDRB.  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 NDRB has no authority to upgrade a discharge for the sole purpose of enhancing employment or educational opportunities.  Regulations limit the NDRB’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 BCNR can make changes to reenlistment codes.  Additionally, the NDRB 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 is processed subsequently for an administrative involuntary separation or is referred to a court martial for misconduct, the disability evaluation is suspended pending the outcome of the non-disability proceedings.  If the action includes either a punitive or administrative discharge for misconduct or for any basis wherein an Other Than Honorable discharge is authorized, 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 BCNR can grant this type of narrative reason change.

Automatic Upgrades - There is no law or regulation that provides for an unfavorable discharge to be upgraded based solely on the passage of time or good conduct subsequent to leaving naval service.

Post-Service Conduct:  The NDRB is authorized to consider post-service factors in the recharacterization of a discharge.  Outstanding post-service conduct, 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, is considered during Board reviews.  Documentation to support a post-service conduct upgrade includes, but is not limited to: a verifiable continuous employment record; marriage and children’s birth certificates (if applicable); character witness statements; documentation of community or church service; certification of non-involvement with civil authorities; evidence of financial stability or letters of good standing from banks, credit card companies, or other financial institutions; attendance at or completion of higher education (official transcripts); and documentation of a drug-free lifestyle.   The Applicant is advised that 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 accomplishments help demonstrate  in-service misconduct was an aberration and not indicative of the member’s overall character.

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 NDRB 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	CC - Civilian conviction	CCU - Correctional Custody Unit	BW - 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