Upgrade.Vet

USMC | DRB | 2007_Marine | MD0700906

Original file (MD0700906.rtf) Auto-classification: Denied

ex-, USMC
MD07-00906

Current Discharge and Applicant’s Request

Application Received: 20070621 Characterization Received:

Narrative Reason: MISCONDUCT/PERSONALITY DISORDER Authority: MARCORSEPMAN 6203.3; Convenience of the government, personality disorder

Applicant’s Request:      Characterization change to:
         Narrative Reason change to: DROP BORDERLINE PERSONALITY DISORDER AS BASIS FOR SEPARATION

Applicant’s Issues:       1. Change reenlistment code .
                           2. Misdiagnosed with personality disorder.
                           3 . Post service.

Decision

Date: 20080324             Location: Washington D.C         R epresentation :

By a vote of the Characterization shall .
By a vote of the Narrative Reason shall SECRETARIAL AUTHORITY .

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 , specifically the paragraph concerning Reenlistment/RE-codes .

Issue 2 . (Propriety) : The Applicant contends he was misdiagnosed with personality disorder . The Applicant was diagnosed with " adjustment disorder and borderline Personality Disorder" by competent medical authority at the Mental Health Department , Naval Hospital, Twentynine Palms , CA , and was recommended for administrative separation from the Marine Corps . "Personality Disorder" is an accurate narrative description of the reason for the Applicant's discharge. The contention the personality disorder no longer exists or has been overcome does not provide a legitimate basis to revise official records accurate at the time of issuance.
Thus, the Board finds the Reason for Discharge reflects the Applicant's mental health status at the time of his discharge and was proper and equitable at the time of issuance.

Issue 3 (Equity): The Applicant is requesting a characterization upgrade and a change to the narrative reason based on his post service accomplishment s . When a Marine’s service has been honest and faithful, it is appropriate to charact er ize that service under honorable co nditions. A General discharge is warranted if the member’s service has been honest and faithful but significant negative aspects of the member’s conduct or performance outweigh positive aspects of the member’s military record. T he Applicant ’ s service was marred by a violation of the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ), Article 86 : Unauthorized A bsence . The Applicant ’ s conduct during the period of service under review , which forms the primary basis for determining the character of his service, reflects this violation of the UCMJ. The Applicant ’ s command was justified in issuing a General (Under Honorable Conditions) as his c haracterization of 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. After a thorough review of the available evidence, to include the Applicant’s Summary of Service, Medical and Service Record, Discharge Process and evidence submitted by the Applicant, the Board determined partial relief is warranted; as such, the request to change the narrative reason is approved.

Summary of Service

Prior Service:
Inactive: USMCR (DEP)     19981216 - 19990727
Period of Service Under Review:
Date of Enlistment: 19990728      Years Contracted :                 Date of Discharge: 20000915
Length of Service : 01 Yrs 01 Mths 18 D ys          Lost Time : Days UA: Days Confine d :
Education Level:         Age at Enlistment:       AFQT: 51          MOS: 1833 Highest Rank:
Proficiency/Conduct marks (# of occasions):      3.4 ( 4 ) / 2.7 ( 5 )
Awards and Decorations ( per DD 214): MM, Rifle MM

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

20000710:        Medical Record Mental health Department, Naval Hospital 29 Palms, CA
         Diagnosis: Adjustment disorder, borderline Personality D isorder.
         Recommendation: Administrative separation.

20000811 :        NJP -- Viol UCMJ Art. 86 - Absent without leave 20000504 – 20000701 (57 days).
         Awarded - FOP ($ 500.00 ) for ( 2 months); RIR ( E-2 ); Restr for ( 45 days). FOP suspended for 6 months.

20000814 :        MARCORSEPMAN 6105 counseling for documented personality disorder.

Discharge Process

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

Date Applicant Responded to Notification:                  20000817
Rights Elected at Notification:
         Consult with Counsel
         Obtain Copies of Documents
         Submit Statement(s) (date)                         BUT SUBMITTED 20000814
         Administrative Board

Commanding Officer Recommendation (date):        ( 20000818 )
SJA review (date):
Separation Authority (date):     COMMANDER, 1 ^ST MARINE DIVISION (REIN) ( 20000906 )
Basis for discharge directed:   DUE TO:
Characterization directed:
Date Applicant Discharged:       20000915

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 6203, CONVENIENCE OF THE GOVERNMENT, of the Marine Corps Separation and Retirement Manual, (MCO P1900.16F), effective 18 August 1995 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 .

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 | MD0700906

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