Upgrade.Vet

USMC | DRB | 2007_Marine | MD0700040

Original file (MD0700040.rtf) Auto-classification: Denied

ex-, USMC
MD07-00040

Current Discharge and Applicant’s Request:

Application Received:                               20 061004
         Characterization of Service:
         Basis for Discharge :
         Discharge Authority :                       MARCORSEPMAN 6210.5
         Duty Assignment/ Command at Discharge:    MCSFCO NASNI SAN DIEGO, CA

Applicant’s Request:
         Characterization change to:
         Narrative Reason change to:
         Review Requested:
         Representation:

Issues (as summarized by NDRB) :
1. Reenlistment opportunity
2. Personal problems caused misconduct
3. Record of service.

Decision:

By a vote of the Characterization shall UNDER OTHER THAN HONORABLE CONDITIONS
By a vote of the Narrative Reason shall MISCONDUCT

Date of Decision:                                            200708 30
Location of Board:                                  Washington D.C.
Complete Service Record:                                    YES
Complete Medical Record:                           YES
Complete Discharge Package:                        YES
Regarding propriety, the Board found the discharge:      PROPER
Regarding equity, the Board found the discharge:         EQUITABLE

Issue 1: The Board determined that th is I ssue is not an i ssue which can form the basis for relief for the Applicant or that the Board did not have the authority to grant the relief for which the Applicant petitioned. The Applicant is directed to the Addendum regarding this issue.

Issue 2 (Equity). T he Board reviews the propriety and equity of an Applicant’s discharge individually, on a case-by-case basis. If such a review reveals an impropriety or inequity, relief is in order. Regulations permit relief on equitable grounds if the Applicant’s discharge is inconsistent with standards of discipline of the Naval service. 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 that h is personal problems were attributed to h is immaturity and stress . While he may feel that this was the underlying cause of the misconduct, the record clearly reflects willful misconduct and demonstrated being unfit for further service. There is credible evidence in the record that the Applicant used illegal drugs. The evidence of record does not demonstrate that the Applicant was not responsible for h is conduct or that he should not be held accountable for h is actions.

Issue 3 (Equity). When a Marine’s service has been honest and faithful, it is appropriate to characterize that service under honorable conditions. A 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. C ertain serious offenses, even though isolated, warrant separation from the Naval service in order to maintain proper order and discipline. The Applicant’s service was marred by one retention warning and one nonjudicial punishment for Articles 11 2a . V iolation s of the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ), Article 112a, Wrongful use of a controlled substance is considered a serious offense for which a punitive discharge is authorized if adjudged by a Special or General Courts Martial. An upgrade to honorable would be inappropriate .

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, Service Record Entries, Medical Record Entries, Elements of Discharge and evidence submitted by the Applicant, the Board found the Applicant’s discharge proper and equitable.

Summary of Service:

Prior Service:
Inactive: USMCR (DEP)                               19870904 - 19871012
Active: US MC                                       19871013 - 19910307 HON
Active: US MC                                          19910308 - 19940104 HON

Period of Service Under Review:
Date of Enlistment:                                 19940105
Years Contracted :                                   ; Extension:
Date of Discharge:                                  19970519
Length of Service
         Active:                                     03 Yrs 04 Mths 14 D ys (does not exclude lost time)
         Time Lost During This Period:              0 Days
UA:

Education Level:
Age at this Enlistment:
AFQT:                                                 38
MOS:                                                  2111
Highest Rank:
Fitness reports available for review?

Awards and Decorations (as listed on the DD Form 214): LETTER OF APPRECIATION X5, MERITOURIOUS MAST, MERITORIOUS UNIT CITATION, GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL X3, CERTIFICATE OF COMMENDATION, NATIONAL DEFENSE SERVICE MEDAL, SEA SERVICE DEPLOYMENT RIBBON, NAVY ACHIEVEMENT MEDAL

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

1 9960402:        Counseling: Advised of deficiencies in performance and conduct . lack of judgment of consumption of alcohol which resulted in my arrest and subsequently charged for a DUI. N ecessary corrective actions explained, sources of assistance provided, disciplinary and discharge warning issued.

19970117 :         NAVDRUGLAB, San Diego, CA, reported Applicant’s urine sample, received 19961220 , tested positive for ( Amphetamines/Methamphetamine/Marijuana ) .

19970122 :        NJP for violation(s) of UCMJ:
         Article 112a: On or about 19961220, wrongfully used Methamphetamine, Amphetamine and Marijuana.
         Award: Forfeiture of $697.00 for 2 months (1 month suspended for 6 months), restriction for 30 days (suspended for 6 months), reduction to E-4.
         Not appealed.

19970210:        Counseling: Advised of deficiencies in performance and conduct (Illegal drug involvement; specifically, the usage of Methamphetamine, Amphetamine and Marijuana . N ecessary corrective actions explained, sources of assistance provided, and advised being processed for administrative discharge action.

Elements of Discharge: [INVOLUNTARY]

Date Notified:                                       19970130
Basis for Discharge:     DUE TO

Least Favorable Characterization:
Commanding Officer’s Intended Recommendation:

Date Applicant Responded to Notification:                 19970131
Rights Elected at Notification:
Consult with Counsel
         Obtain Copies of Documents
         Submit Statement(s) (date)
         Administrative Board

Commanding Officer Recommendation (date):        ( 19970 0220 )
SJA review (date):                                  ( 19970425 )
Separation Authority (date):     COMMANDER, U.S. MARINE CORPS FORCES, ATLANTIC ( 19970509 )
         Basis for discharge directed:             due to:
         Characterization directed:
Date Applicant Discharged:                         19970519

Additional Documents Submitted by Applicant and Considered By Board

Total Number of Pages:                               1

Related to Period of Service Under Review:
         From Service and/or Medical Record:               Other Records:

Related to Other Period(s) of Service:
         From Service and/or Medical Record:               Other Records:

Related to Post-Service Period:
         Employment:                                          Finances:
         Health/Medical Records:                            Substance Abuse:
         Family/Personal Status:                            Education:
        Community Service Efforts:                         References:
         Criminal Records:

Other:
         Additional Statements From Applicant:             From Representative:
        Other Documentation (Describe)

Pertinent Regulation/Law

A. Paragraph 6210, MISCONDUCT , of the Marine Corps Separation and Retirement Manual, (MCO P1900.16E), effective 31 Jan 97 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, Wrongful use, possession of a controlled substance.

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 . 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, provi ded 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 grante d 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.

Employmen t / 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

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USMC | DRB | 2007_Marine | MD0700040

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