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USMC | DRB | 2007_Marine | MD0700971
Original file (MD0700971.rtf) Auto-classification: Denied
ex-, USMC
MD07-00971
Current Discharge and Applicant’s Request
Application Received: 20070629   Characterization Received:
Narrative Reason: PERONALITY DISORDER    Authority: MARCORSEPMAN 6203.3

 Applicant’s Request:      Characterization change to:
                           Narrative Reason change to: PTSD with DEPRESSION
Applicant’s Issues:       1. VA Benefits
                           2. Discharge was erroneous
 3. Service Record
4. Post Service

Decision

 By a vote of the Characterization shall .
 By a vote of the Narrative Reason shall PERSONALITY DISORDER

Date: 20 080103                   Location: Washington D.C.         Representation :

Discussion

 : 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 2: ( ). The Applicant contends that her discharge was erroneous and the narrative reason should be changed since she was diagnosed with PTSD with depression since leaving the Marine Corps. When reviewing a discharge, the NDRB does consider the extent to which a medical problem might affect an Applicant’s performance and ability to conform to the military’s standards of conduct and discipline. The NDRB generally does not consider the circumstances surrounding the Applicant’s stated condition, the implied incorrect diagnosis, nor the medical treatment given to the Applicant to be of sufficient nature to exculpate the Applicant’s misconduct. The Applicant was seen by competent medical authority resulting in her diagnosis of a personality disorder (Not Otherwise S pecified) deemed as such severity as to interfere with her ability to function effectively in the military .

Issue 3: ( ). When a Marine’s service has been honest and faithful, it is appropriate to characterize that service under honorable conditions. A general (under honorable conditions) discharge is warranted when significant negative aspects of a member’s conduct or performance of duty outweigh the positive aspects of the member’s military record. The Applicant’s service was marred by the award of nonjudicial punishment (NJP) on one occasion for a violation of the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) Article 86 (Unauthorized absence) and a Summary Courts-Martial on one occasion for a violation of the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) Article 91 ( Disrespect toward a noncommissioned officer ). The Applicant’s conduct, which forms the primary basis for determining the character of his service, reflects h er willful failur e to meet the requirements of her contract with the Marine Corps and falls far short of that required for an upgrade of his characterization of service. . An upgrade to honorable would be inappropriate.

Issue 4: ( ). The NDRB is authorized to consider post-service factors in the recharacterization of a discharge. However, there is no law or regulation, which provides that an unfavorable discharge, may be upgraded based solely on the passage of time, good conduct, or favorable endorsements in the civilian life subsequent to leaving the service. Normally, to permit relief, a procedural impropriety or inequity must have been found to have existed during the period of enlistment in question. Outstanding post-service conduct, 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, is considered. The Applicant provided her statement of post service accomplishments. The Applicant's efforts need to be more encompassing. For example, the Applicant could have produced evidence of a verifiable employment record, documentation of educational pursuits, documentation of community service, and certification of non-involvement with civil authorities. The Board found that the Applicant's undocumented claims of good post service conduct did not mitigate the circumstances that resulted in the characterization of discharge.

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: USMCR (DEP)     19970410 - 19970609              Active:         
Period of Service Under Review:
 Date of Enlistment: 19970610      Years Contracted : ; Extension:   Date of Discharge: 19980825
Length of Service : 1 Yrs 1 Mths 29 D ys    Lost Time : Days UA: Days Confine d :
Education Level:         Age at Enlistment:       AFQT: 43          MOS: 2531 Highest Rank:
Proficiency/Conduct marks (# of occasions):      3.4 ( 4 ) / 2.9 ( 4 )     Fitness reports :
Awards and Decorations ( per DD 214): Rifle .

Medical/Service Record Entries Related to Characterization of Service or Basis for Discharge
19980527:        MARCORSEPMAN 6105 counseling for constant tardiness.
19980604:        NJP -- Viol UCMJ Art. 86 – Unauthorized absence.
         Awarded - FOP ($200.00) for ( 2 months); RIR (E-2); Restr for (30 days); Extra duties ( 30 days).

19980617:        Medical Record: Reason for visit: Not known
         Diagnosis: Stress related psychological factors affecting physical condition
         Recommendation: Continue therapy

19980618:        Commanding Officer MWSS-273, LtCol Ritchie talked with Jean Purdue. Applicant’s Stress Counselor advised to hold Applicant accountable for her actions.

19980619:        Counseled for breaking restriction, failure to obey a lawful order .

19980701:        SCM -- Viol UCMJ Art. 91 – Disrespect toward a noncommissioned officer.
         Awarded - FOP ( $300.00 ) for ( 1 months); RIR (E-1 ); Confinement ( 21 days).
19980708 :        MARCORSEPMAN 6105 counseling for diagnosed personality disorder, frequent tardiness, and period of depression while performing routine military duties .

19980727 :        Letter from Mental Health Department, Naval Hospital, Beaufort, S.C. to Commanding Officer MWSS-273: Applicant’s pattern of behavior and emotional difficulties are consistent with a severe personality disorder, specifically the diagnosis of Personality Disorder Not Otherwise Specified. This long-standing disorder of character and behavior is of such severity as to interfere with her ability to function effectively in the military. She is not motivated for continued service.

Discharge Process

 Date Notified:   19980804
Basis for Discharge:      DUE TO:
        
Least Favorable Characterization:       
Commanding Officer’s Intended Recommendation:   

Date Applicant Responded to Notification:                  19980804
Rights Elected at Notification:
         Consult with Counsel                      
         Obtain Copies of Documents               
         Submit Statement(s) (date)                        
         Administrative Board                      

Commanding Officer Recommendation (date):        ( 19980805 )
SJA review (date):      
Separation Authority (date):     CG, 2 nd MAW ( 19980825 )
Basis for discharge directed:   DUE TO:
Characterization directed:     
Date Applicant Discharged:       19980825

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) Newspaper Article

Pertinent Regulation/Law

 A. Paragraph 6203, CONVENIENCE OF THE GOVERNMENT, of the Marine Corps Separation and Retirement Manual, (MCO P1900.16E), effective 18 Aug 95 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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