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USMC | DRB | 2007_Marine | MD0700100

Original file (MD0700100.rtf) Auto-classification: Denied

ex-, USMC
MD07-00100

Current Discharge and Applicant’s Request

Application Received: 20061030 Characterization Received:
Narrative Reason: MISCONDUCT Authority: MARCORSEPMAN 6210.5

Applicant’s Request:      Characterization change to:
                           Narrative Reason change to:
Applicant’s Issues:       1. Post-service conduct

Decision

By a vote of the Characterization shall .
By a vote of the Narrative Reason shall MISCONDUCT .

Date: 20 070830                            DOCUMENTARY REVIEW                Location: Washington D.C.

Discussion

Issue 1 ( ). 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 NDRB is authorized to consider outstanding post-service factors in the recharacterization of a discharge 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. After a complete review of the entire record, including the evidence submitted by the Applicant, the Board determined that the discharge was appropriate and that the evidence of post-service conduct was found no t to mitigate the conduct which led to discharge.

Although not raised by Applicant in his petition, the Board noted that at the time of discharge the Applicant claimed in support of his request for a characterization of service as general (under honorable conditions) that his recruiter was aware of his pre-service drug dependence and that the Applicant should not have been able to enlist. 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, Medical and Service Record Entries , Discharge Process and evidence submitted by the Applicant, the Board found that

Summary of Service

Prior Service:
Inactive: USMCR (DEP)     19990727 - 20000716              Active:
Period of Service Under Review:
Date of Enlistment: 20000717      Years Contracted : ; Extension:          Date of Discharge: 20011012
Length of Service : 01 Yrs 02 Mths 26 D ys          Lost Time : Days UA: Days Confine d :
Education Level:         Age at Enlistment:       AFQT: 61          MOS: 6048 Highest Rank:
Proficiency/Conduct marks (# of occasions):      4.3 ( 3 ) / 4.0 ( 3 )     Fitness reports :
Awards and Decorations ( per DD 214): RIFLE EXPERT BADGE, SEA SERVICE DEPLOYMENT RIBBON, LETTER OF APPRECIATION

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

20010503 :        CO's NJP -- Viol UCMJ Art. 86 - Unauthorized a bsence (7 dys /surrendered ). Awarded - FOP ( $584.00) for ( 2 m onths); RIR ( E-2 ); Restr for ( 45 dy s); Extra duties ( 45 dys) .

20010503 :        MARCORSEPMAN 6105 counseling for failure to return from leave on time, in that I was UA for 8 days.

20010523:        Medical Record: Reason for visit: Evaluation as a result of an unauthorized absence.
         Diagnosis: Cannabis dependence and alcohol dependence.
         Recommendation: Inpatient treatment.

UNREADABLE:      MARCORSEPMAN 6105 counseling for refusal to accept treatment for my drug and alcohol dependences.

20010725:        Applicant’s statement.

Discharge Process

Date Notified:   20010722
Basis for Discharge:      DUE TO:
Least Favorable Characterization:
Commanding Officer’s Intended Recommendation:

Date Applicant Responded to Notification:                  20010723
Rights Elected at Notification:
         Consult with Counsel
         Obtain Copies of Documents
         Submit Statement(s) (date)
         Administrative Board                       WAIVED CONDITIONED ON RECEIVING GENERAL DISCHARGE . ON 20010828, CO RECOMMENDED DENIAL OF CONDITIONAL WAIVER. ON 20010905, APPLICANT SUBMITTED UNCONDITIONAL WAIVER OF BOARD, WITH STATEMENT REQUESTING GENERAL DISCHARGE.

Commanding Officer Recommendation (date):        ( 20010828 )
SJA review (date):       ( 20010907 )
Separation Authority (date):     CG, 1 ^ST MARINE AIRCRAFT WING ( 20010913 )
Basis for discharge directed:   DUE TO
Characterization directed:
Date Applicant Discharged:       20010913

Types of Documents Submitted by Applicant and Considered By Board

Related to Military Service:      Service and/or Medical Record:          Other Records:

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

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

Pertinent Regulation/Law

A. The Marine Corps Separation and Retirement Manual, (MCO P1900.16F, effective 01 September 2001 until Present, Paragraph 6210, MISCONDUCT .

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 .

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, 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 | MD0700100

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