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USMC | DRB | 2007_Marine | MD0700547
Original file (MD0700547.rtf) Auto-classification: Denied
ex-, USMC
MD07-00547
Current Discharge and Applicant’s Request
Application Received: 20070315   Characterization Received:
Narrative Reason: UNSAT PARTICIPATION IN READY RESERVE   Authority: MARCORSEPMAN 6213

 Applicant’s Request:      Characterization change to:
                           Narrative Reason change to:
Applicant’s Issues:       1. Reenlistment Code change
                           2. Discharge was wrongful and malicious .
                           3. Isolated incidents in Service do not reflect the quality of his service.

Decision

 By a vote of the Characterization shall .     
By a vote of the Narrative Reason shall UNSAT PARTICIPATION IN READY RESERVE

Date: 20 07111 5             Location: Washington D.C.         Representation :

Discussion

 Issue 1: 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 s 2 & 3 : ( ). The Applicant contends that his discharge was wrongful and malicious and isolated incidents did not reflect the quality of his service . The record reflects that when the Applicant enlisted on 19970210, he acknowledged the requirement to participate in 48 scheduled drills and not less than 14 days of annual training per year for six years. The record reflects that during the period 19990524 - 2000524, 1) the Applicant was absent from 38 scheduled drills, 2 ) the Applicant did not attend the AT period in January of 2000, and 3) the Applicant was administratively reduced twice for Unsatisfactory Participation . During the same period of time, the command mailed the Applicant notices of required drill absences on three occasions; the Applicant acknowledged receipt of the notices and did not respond to the notices. Per table 6-1, para 6213 of the MARCORPSEPMAN , the characterization of service is determined by the service record of the member. The Board considered conduct and performance of the Applicant’s current enlistment and determined an upgrade to general (under honorable conditions) characterization of service was 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, Medical and Service Record Entries , Discharge Process and evidence submitted by the Applicant, t he Board found that


Summary of Service

 Prior Service:
 Inactive: NONE             Active:
Period of Service Under Review:
 Date of Enlistment: 19970204               Years Contracted :        Date of Discharge: 20001130
Length of Service : Active: 00 Yrs 10 Mths 13 D ys          Inactive: 02 Yrs 11 Mths 03 D ys
 Lost Time : Days UA: Days Confine d :
Education Level:         Age at Enlistment:       AFQT: 76          MOS: 0311 Highest Rank:
Proficiency/Conduct marks (# of occasions):      4.3 ( 10 ) / 4.3 ( 10 )   Fitness reports :
Awards and Decorations ( per DD 214): REB, NUC

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

 19970210 :        Enlistment contract into the USMCR documents acknowledgement of the requirement to participate in 48 scheduled drills and not less than 14 days of annual training per year for 6 years upon completion of initial active duty training.

 19970210 :        Applicant reported for initial tour of active duty for training.

 19970816 :        Applicant released from initial tour of active duty for training with an Honorable by reason of completion of required active service (USMCR) IADT.
19981002:        Applicant reported for initial tour of active duty for training.

19990217:        Applicant released from initial tour of active duty for training with an Honorable.

 19990916:        Applicant administratively reduced to PFC.
19991107:        Applicant administratively reduced to Pvt.
Discharge Process

 Date Notified:   20000510
Basis for Discharge:     
Least Favorable Characterization:       
Commanding Officer’s Intended Recommendation:   

Date Applicant Responded to Notification:                  20000510
Rights Elected at Notification:
         Consult with Counsel                      
         Obtain Copies of Documents               
         Submit Statement(s) (date)                        
         Administrative Board                      

Commanding Officer Recommendation (date):        ( 20000806 )
SJA review (date):       ( 20001113 )
Separation Authority (date):     COMMANDER, MARINE FORCES RESERVE ( 20001113 )
Basis for discharge directed:   Failure to participate (Reserve not on Active Duty (board waived))
 Characterization directed:     
Date Applicant Discharged:       20001130

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. Paragraph 6213 of the Marine Corps Separation and Retirement Manual, (MCO P1900.16E), effective 18 Aug ust 1995 until
31 Aug ust 2001.

B. Marine Corps Reserve Administrative Management Manual, MCO P1001R.1, Chapter 3, Reserve Participation and Administrative Procedures, paragraph 300.

C. Table 6-1 of the Marine Corps Separation and Retirement Manual, (MCO P1900.16E), effective 18 Aug 95, Guide for Characterization of Service.

 D . 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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