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USMC | DRB | 2007_Marine | MD0701055
Original file (MD0701055.rtf) Auto-classification: Denied
ex-PFC, USMC
MD07-01055
Current Discharge and Applicant’s Request
Application Received: 20070725   Characterization Received:
Narrative Reason: DRUG ABUSE Authority: MARCORSEPMAN 6210.5      

 Applicant’s Request:      Characterization change to:
                           Narrative Reason change to:
Applicant’s Issues:       1. PTSD was a factor in misconduct.

Decision

 By a vote of the Characterization shall .
 By a vote of the Narrative Reason shall DRUG ABUSE.

Date: 20 080110            Location: Washington D.C.         Representation :

Discussion

 Issue 1: ( ). The Applicant contends that his disciplinary issues that led to his separation were caused by Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) upon returning from duty in Iraq. While the applicant now claims PTSD is the root cause of his disciplinary problems, he admitted to using cocaine to relieve stress knowing that it was an illegal substance, and that it was a bad decision. 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 narrative reason for discharge. When a Marine’s service has been honest and faithful, it is appropriate to characterize that service under honorable conditions. A n under other than 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 conduct during the current period of service, which forms the primary basis for determining the character of his service was marred by one discharge warning and two nonjudicial punishments (NJP) for violations of the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) Article (s) 92 and 112a. Violation of UCMJ Article (s) 92 and 112a are considered serious offenses for which a punitive discharge is authorized if adjudged by a Special or General Courts Martial. The 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. The medical evidence of record does not suggest that the Applicant was not responsible for his conduct or should not be held accountable for his actions. An upgrade to general (under honorable conditions) would be 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: USMCR (DEP)     20020920 - 20030909             
Period of Service Under Review:
 Date of Enlistment: 20030910      Years Contracted : 4 ; Extension:          Date of Discharge: 20061215
Length of Service :   03 Y rs   03 Mths   06 D ys          Lost Time : Days UA: Days Confine d :
Education Level: 12       Age at Enlistment: 18     AFQT:   44             MOS: 0311      Highest Rank: LCPL
Proficiency/Conduct marks (# of occasions):      4.1 ( 7 ) / 4.2 ( 7 )
Awards and Decorations ( per DD 214): CAR, HSM, ICM, SSDR, GWOTSM, NDSM, RIFLE EX`

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

 20020723:        Applicant signs Marine Corps policy concerning illegal use of drugs.

20020920:        Applicant received pre-service drug waiver for THC.
20050608 :        NJP -- Viol UCMJ Art. 92 .
         Awarded - R estr for ( 14 days); Extra duties ( 14 days ).

20050609 :        MARCORSEPMAN 6105 counseling for a violation of UCMJ Article 92. Alcohol in the barracks and underage drinking underage.

20060203 :         NAVDRUGLAB, Jacksonville, FL, reported Applicant’s urine sample t ested positive for cocaine.

20060420 :        NJP -- Viol UCMJ Art. 112a .
         Awarded - FOP ($ 713 ) for ( 2 months); RIR ( E-2 ); Restr for ( 45 days); Extra duties ( 45 days).

20061114 :        Naval Hospital Camp Lejeune . Clinical Psychiatrist states that Applicant has been a patient at the Mental Health Clinic since 20060326 being treated for PTSD.
         Diagnosis: Continued to show improvements to the extent that Applicant no longer meets diagnostic criteria for PTSD. There is no evidence that the Applicant was psychotic or otherwise unable to judge right from wrong. PTSD does not excuse his behavior but may provide a context for understanding behavior at the time of incident.


Discharge Process

 Date Notified:   20061006
Basis for Discharge:      DUE TO
        
Least Favorable Characterization:       
Commanding Officer’s Intended Recommendation:   

Date Applicant Responded to Notification:                  20061006
Rights Elected at Notification:
         Consult with Counsel                      
         Obtain Copies of Documents               
         Submit Statement(s) (date)                        
         Administrative Board                      

Administrative Board Date :       20061115
Findings, by preponderance of the evidence:     BY DUE TO .
         BY SEPARATION WARRANTED.
 Recommendation on Separation:   BY
Recommendation on Characterization:     BY

Commanding Officer Recommendation (date):        ( 20061011 )
SJA review (date):       ( 20061204 )
Separation Authority (date):     COMMANDING GENERAL, 2D MARINE DIVISION ( 20061211 )
Basis for discharge directed:   DUE TO
Characterization directed:     
Date Applicant Discharged:       20061215

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 1 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 92 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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