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USMC | DRB | 2007_Marine | MD0700299
Original file (MD0700299.rtf) Auto-classification: Denied
ex-, USMC
MD07-00299
Current Discharge and Applicant’s Request
Application Received: 20061228   Characterization Received: OTHER THAN HONORABLE
Narrative Reason: MISCONDUCT              Authority: MARCORSEPMAN PAR 6210.5

 Applicant’s Request:      Characterization change to:
                           Narrative Reason change to:
Applicant’s Issues:       1. Employment Enhancement - Equity
                           2. Veterans Benefits – Equity
                           3. Applicant contends PTSD was a contributing factor in his misconduct after returning from his
                           combat tour in Iraq - Equity

Decision

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

Date: 20 071004 Location: Washington D.C. The Board found that

Discussion

 Issue(s) 1 - 2 : either which the Board cannot form the basis of relief for the Applicant, or the Board does not have the authority to grant the relief for which the Applicant petitioned. The Applicant is directed to the Addendum regarding .

Issue 3 ( ) : The Applicant contends that his misconduct in the Marine Cor p s can be attributed to P ost T raumatic S tress S yndrome (PTSD), a condition in which he claims he has been suffering from since his return from Iraq. The NDRB noted the 20061124 post service psychiatric diagnos i s stating the Applicant was suffering from PTSD. The NDRB also noted that there were no medical record entries during the timeframe of the misconduct that alluded to or lent credence to a PTSD episode, thus offsetting the individual ’ s wrongful use of cocaine. The reason for discharge, under other than honorable conditions due to misconduct drug abuse, is most appropriate. After a thorough review of the Applicant ’ s record, issues submitted, post service, and the standards of discipline, the Board determined that an upgrade was not warranted.

Summary of Service

Prior Service:
 Inactive: USMCR (DEP)     20030117 - 20030820              Active:         
Period of Service Under Review:
 Date of Enlistment: 20030821               Years Contracted : ; Extension:          Date of Discharge: 20050921
Length of Service : 02 Yrs 01 Mths 01 D ys          Lost Time : Days UA: Days Confine d : 23
Education Level:         Age at Enlistment:       AFQT: 69          MOS: 0311 Highest Rank:
Proficiency/Conduct marks (# of occasions):      4.1 ( 5 ) / 4. 2 ( 5 )     Fitness reports :
Awards and Decorations ( per DD 214): RIFLE MARKSMAN BADGE, COMBAT ACTION RIBBON, GLOBAL WAR ON TERRORISM SERVICE MEDAL, GLOBAL WAR ON TERRORISM EXPEDITIONARY MEDAL, SEA SERVICE DEPLOYMENT RIBBON, NATIONAL DEFENSE SERVICE MEDAL

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

 20050427 :         NAVDRUGLAB, San Diego, CA, reported Applicant’s urine sample, received 20050422 , tested positive for ( Cocaine ).
20050524:        MARCORSEPMAN 6105 counseling for your violation of article 86, unauthorized absence. Specifically, you abandoned your duty section on the night of 20050521 and returned to your barracks room while assigned to ASP guard duty during RCAX.

20050524 :        SCM -- Viol UCMJ Art. 112a – Wrongfully use cocaine at an unknown location between 20050318 and 20050418.
         Awarded - FOP ( 823.00 ) for ( 1 month); RIR ( E-1 ); Confinement ( 30 days).
20050524:        MARCORSEPMAN 6105 counseling for illegal drug related incident on or about 0050315. Specifically, cocaine usage identified through urinalysis and confirmed by NAVDRUGLAB MSG 271710Z APR 05.
Discharge Process

 Date Notified:   20050601
Basis for Discharge:      DUE TO:
        
Least Favorable Characterization:       
Commanding Officer’s Intended Recommendation:   

Date Applicant Responded to Notification:                  20050620
Rights Elected at Notification:
         Consult with Counsel                      
         Obtain Copies of Documents               
         Submit Statement(s) (date)                        
         Administrative Board                      

Commanding Officer Recommendation (date):        ( 20050601 )
SJA review (date):       ( 20050912 )
Separation Authority (date):     COMMANDING GENERAL, 1 ST MARINE DIVISION ( 20050920 )
Basis for discharge directed:   DUE TO:
Characterization directed:     
Date Applicant Discharged:       20050921

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 Sep 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 .

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 , W rongful use 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 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 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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