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USMC | DRB | 2002_Marine | MD02-00241
Original file (MD02-00241.rtf) Auto-classification: Denied

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

ex-Pvt, USMC
Docket No. MD02-00241

Applicant’s Request
The application for discharge review, received 010114, requested that the characterization of service on the discharge be changed to general/under honorable conditions. The applicant requested a personal appearance hearing before the board in the Washington National Capital Region. The applicant listed the CVSO as the representative on the DD Form 293. In the acknowledgement letter to the applicant, the applicant was informed that the Naval Discharge Review Board (NDRB) first conducts a documentary review prior to any personal appearance hearing.

Decision

A documentary discharge review was conducted in Washington, D.C. on 020731. After a thorough review of the records, supporting documents, facts, and circumstances unique to this case, NDRB discerned no impropriety or inequity in the characterization of the applicant’s service. The Board’s vote was unanimous that the character of the discharge shall not change. The discharge shall remain: BAD CONDUCT DISCHARGE/COURT-MARTIAL, authority: MARCORSEPMAN Par. 1105.

PART I - APPLICANT’S ISSUES AND DOCUMENTATION

Issues, as submitted

 1. I am requesting Discharge upgrade and will forward upon receipt from the Doctors and Counselors records on my behalf. While in the Marine Corp at Camp Pendleton I was not given guidance on my career and personal situation. I needed assistance by someone who could provide necessary steps to take to maintain career expectations. And I was only 17 years old at Enlistment also got married at 20 years clearly I was not equipped to handle these responsibilities. The ISG was not a person to assist upcoming soildiers. I was able to get training for problems at an off - base counseling/rehab program on my own. I was prepared to submit the evidence on my defense but was not afforded the opportunity. I will forward the information to the Board and will have it on hand for my personal appearance.

 Documentation
In addition to the service record, the following additional documentation, submitted by the applicant, was considered:
Copy of DD Form 214

PART II - SUMMARY OF SERVICE

 Prior Service (component, dates of service, type of discharge):
         Active: None
         Inactive: USMCR(J)                970103 - 970121  COG

 Period of Service Under Review :
Date of Enlistment: 970122               Date of Discharge: 010502

 Length of Service (years, months, days):

         Active: 03 03 11
         Inactive: None

 Age at Entry: 18                          Years Contracted: 4

 Education Level: 12                        AFQT: 40

 Highest Rank: LCpl

 Final Enlisted Performance Evaluation Averages (number of marks):

 Proficiency: 3.8 (1)                       Conduct: 2.9 (1)

 Military Decorations: None

 Unit/Campaign/Service Awards: None

 Days of Unauthorized Absence: 174

 Character, Narrative Reason, and Authority of Discharge (at time of issuance):

BAD CONDUCT DISCHARGE/COURT-MARTIAL, authority: MARCORSEPMAN Par. 1105.

 Chronological Listing of Significant Service Events :

970926:  NJP for violation of UCMJ, Article 86:
 Specification: Unauthorized absence from 1600, 15Aug97 to 1800, 17Sep97 (31 days/surrendered).
Awarded forfeiture of $450.00 per month for 2 months, restriction for 60 days. Not appealed.
970929:  Counseled for deficiencies in performance and conduct. [Unauthorized absence.] Necessary corrective actions explained, sources of assistance provided, disciplinary and discharge warning issued.

980903:  Counseled for deficiencies in performance and conduct. [Failure to be at appointed place of duty on time. This has happened on numerous occasions. Being prompt if not early for any unit function is the responsibility of each and every Marine.] Necessary corrective actions explained, sources of assistance provided, disciplinary and discharge warning issued.
990818:  Special Court-Martial.
         Charge I: violation of the UCMJ, Article 86:
         Specification: Unauthorized absence from 1030, 18Jan99 to 8Jun99 (141 days).
         Charge II: violation of the UCMJ, Article 112A:
         Specification: Wrongfully use marijuana on 11Jun99.
         Findings: to Charge I and II specifications thereunder, guilty.
         Sentence: Confinement for 45 days, reduction to Pvt, and a bad conduct discharge.
         CA 000410: Sentence approved and ordered executed except for the BCD, but execution of that portion of the sentence adjudging confinement in excess of 30 days is suspended for a period of twelve months.

990818:  To confinement, Sentence of SPCM.

990911:  From confinement, to duty.

990914:  Applicant refused medical officer's evaluation.

990916:  To appellate leave.

000417:  Changed to involuntary appellate leave.

010131:  NMCCMR: Affirmed findings and sentence.

010502:  SSPCMO: Article 71c, UCMJ, having been complied with, bad conduct discharge will be executed.

PART III – RATIONALE FOR DECISION AND PERTINENT REGULATION/LAW

Discussion

The applicant was discharged on 010502 with a bad conduct discharge which was the sentence adjudged by a properly constituted special court martial that was determined to be legal and proper, affirmed in the legal chain of review and executed (A and B). The Board presumed regularity in the conduct of governmental affairs (C). After a thorough review of the records, supporting documents, facts, and circumstances unique to this case, the Board found that the discharge was proper and equitable (D and E).

 Issue 1. With respect to a discharge adjudged by a court-martial case, the action of the NDRB is restricted to upgrades based on clemency (C, Part IV). The applicant’s case was considered under the pertinent standards of equity to determine if any factors in this particular case merited clemency. The NDRB found the applicant’s service record devoid of any mitigating or extenuating factors sufficient to offset the seriousness of the offenses for which the discharge was awarded. Relief denied.
The applicant’s discharge characterization accurately reflects his service to his country. The discharge was proper and equitable. Normally, to permit relief, an error or injustice must have existed during the period of enlistment in question. No such error or injustice occurred during the applicant’s enlistment. Additionally, 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 the service. The applicant is reminded that he remains eligible for a personal appearance hearing, provided an application is received, at the NDRB, within 15 years from the date of his discharge. Legal representation at a personal appearance hearing is highly recommended but not required.

 Pertinent Regulation/Law (at time of discharge)

 A. Paragraph 1105, DISCHARGE ADJUDGED BY SENTENCE OF COURT-MARTIAL , of the Marine Corps Separation and Retirement Manual, (MCO P1900.16E), effective 950818 until present.

B. 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 86, unauthorized absence for more than 30 days.
C. Secretary of the Navy Instruction 5420.174C of 22 August 1984 (Manual for Discharge Review, 1984), enclosure (1), Chapter 2, AUTHORITY/POLICY FOR DEPARTMENTAL DISCHARGE REVIEW.

D. Secretary of the Navy Instruction 5420.174C of 22 August 1984 (Manual for Discharge Review, 1984), enclosure (1), Chapter 9, paragraph 9.2, PROPRIETY OF THE DISCHARGE.

E. Secretary of the Navy Instruction 5420.174C of 22 August 1984 (Manual for Discharge Review, 1984), enclosure (1), Chapter 9, paragraph 9.3, EQUITY OF THE DISCHARGE.

PART IV - INFORMATION FOR THE APPLICANT
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 Directive 1332.28, you may submit a complaint in accordance with Enclosure (5) of that Directive. You should read Enclosure (5) of the Directive 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 Directive 1332.28 and other Decisional Documents by going online at “ afls14.jag.af.mil ”.

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:

                  Naval Council of Personnel Boards
                  Attn: Naval Discharge Review Board
                  720 Kennon Street SE Rm 309
                  Washington Navy Yard DC 20374-5023      


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