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USMC | DRB | 2007_Marine | MD0700743
Original file (MD0700743.rtf) Auto-classification: Denied
ex-PVT, USMC
MD07-00743
Current Discharge and Applicant’s Request
Application Received: 20070514   Characterization Received: BAD-CONDUCT DISCHARGE
Narrative Reason: COURT-MARTIAL                   Authority: MARCORSEPMAN 1105

 Applicant’s Request:      Characterization change to:
                           Narrative Reason change to:
Applicant’s Issues:       1. Clemency.
                          

Decision

 By a vote of the Characterization shall BAD-CONDUCT DISCHARGE .        
By a vote of the Narrative Reason shall COURT-MARTIAL.

Date: 20 071115             Location: Washington D.C.         Representation :

Discussion

 Issue 1 (Equity): With respect to a discharge adjudged by a court-martial case, the action of the NDRB is restricted to upgrades based on clemency (leniency). In response to the Applicant’s clemency request, relevant and material facts stated in a court-martial specification are presumed by the NDRB to be established facts . The Applicant’s case was considered under the pertinent standards of equity to determine if any factors in this particular case merited clemency. The re ason for discharge, convicted by special court-martial, is absolutely appropriate. However, t he NDRB found the evidence of record did not contain sufficient mitigating or extenuating factors to offset the seriousness of the offenses for which the discharge was awarded. After a thorough review of the Applicant’s record , issues submitted, and the standards of discipline, the Board determined that clemency was not warranted.


Summary of Service

Prior Service:
 Inactive: USMCR (DEP) 20010621 - 20020609               
Period of Service Under Review:
 Date of Enlistment: 20020610      Years Contracted : 4 ; Extension:          Date of Discharge: 20060524
Length of Service : 03 Yrs 05 Mths 13 D ys         Lost Time : Days UA: Days Confine d : 133
Education Level: 12       Age at Enlistment: 18     AFQT: 46 MOS: 0621      Highest Rank: LCPL
Proficiency/Conduct marks (# of occasions):      3.9 ( 10 ) / 2.8 ( 10 )
Awards and Decorations ( per DD 214): CAR, GWOTSM, GWOTEM, NDSM, SSDR x 2, PUC-NAVY, CERT COMM, RIFLE MARKSMAN BADGE

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

 20010620:        Applicant signed Marine Corps policy concerning illegal use of drugs.
20010621:        Applicant approved for pre-service drug waiver THC.
20031204 :        NJP -- Viol UCMJ Art icle 86 – 20030731 – 20030919, Article 112a for THC.
         Awarded - FOP ($ 645) f or ( 2 months); RIR ( E-2 ); Restr for ( 45 days); Extra duties ( 45 days).
20031229 :        Medical Record: Consolidated Substance Abuse Counseling Center (CSACC)
R eason for visit: Command referred for positive drug screen for THC. Applicant reports daily use of THC between July and September 2003 during UA period.
         Diagnosis: Alcohol and drug abuse.
         Recommendation: Process for discharge

20050309:        MARCORSEPMAN 6105 counseling for revocation of Base driving privileges due to v i olation of UCMJ Article 112a. Additional coun s eling for illegal drug incident on 20050225, THC. Pro c essing is mandatory and being processed for administrative separation.

20050512:        SPCM Article 89, disrespect and 112a, wrongfully use marijuana on or about 20040707. [Extracted fro m SJA letter 20051018 .

2 0050913:        Applicant requests voluntary appellate leave.


Bad Conduct Discharge
Discharge Process

 Charge(s) and Specification(s): Article 86 from 20050713 – 20050823 (surrendered) .
 Preferred: 20050 824       Court-martial: 20050913   Findings: Guilty of Article(s) Artice 86.
Sentence: BCD; Conf 45 days ; RIR E-1 ; FOP $ 823 for 2 months . CA action: 20051121
NC&PB Action: NONE                                 
Appellate Review Complete: 20060314       BCD ordered executed: 20060518 SSPCMCO No. 200501680
Applicant Discharged: 20060524


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 1105, DISCHARGE ADJUDGED BY SENTENCE OF COURT-MARTIAL , of the Marine Corps Separation and Retirement Manual, (MCO P1900.16F), effective 01 September 2001 until Present.

B. Secretary of the Navy Instruction 5420.174D of 22 December 2004, Naval Discharge Review Board (NDRB ) Procedures and Standards, Part IV , Para 403m(7)(a), Presumption Concerning Court-Martial Specifications .

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 (s) 86 and 112a.


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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