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USMC | DRB | 2007_Marine | MD0701233
Original file (MD0701233.rtf) Auto-classification: Denied
ex-, USMC
MD07-01233
Current Discharge and Applicant’s Request
Application Received: 20070913   Characterization Received:
Narrative Reason: MISCONDUCT     Authority: MARCORSEPMAN 6210.3

 Applicant’s Request:      Characterization change to:
                           Narrative Reason change to:
Applicant’s Issues:       1. VA Benefits
                            2. Discharge was a result of minor incidents that were blown out of proportion


Decision

 By a vote of the Characterization shall .
 By a vote of the Narrative Reason shall MISCONDUCT

Date: 20 08 0131                      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 the incidents of misconduct were minor and that these incidents were blown out of proportion by his command. The government enjoys a presumption of regularity in the conduct of its affairs. The Applicant bears the burden of overcoming this presumption through the presentation of substantial and credible evidence to support his issue. There is no evidence in the record, nor has the Applicant produced any evidence, to support the contention that the command unfairly singled him out for discipline , or, placed extreme emphasis on the nature of the incidents. The Applicant’s statements alone do not overcome the government’s presumption of regularity in this case.

When a Marine’s service has been honest and faithful, it is appropriate to characterize that service under honorable conditions. An 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 service performance and conduct markings were 3.0 and 2.9. The Applicant’s service was marred by the award of two retention warnings and four nonjudicial punishment s (NJP) for violations of the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) Article s 86 (Unauthorized absence and failure to go), Article 90 (Willfully disobey a lawful order), Article 91 (Disrespect toward a superior noncommissioned officer), Article 113 (Misbehavior of a sentinel or lookout), and Article 121 (Larceny) . Violations of UCMJ Article s 90, 91, 113, and 121 are considered serious offenses for which a punitive discharge is authorized if adjudged by a Special or General Courts Martial. An upgrade to honorable 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)     20020307 - 20021014              Active:         
Period of Service Under Review:
 Date of Enlistment: 20021015               Years Contracted : ; Extension:            Date of Discharge: 20050414
Length of Service : Yrs Mths 29 D ys      Lost Time : Days UA: Days Confine d :
Education Level:         Age at Enlistment:       AFQT: 59          MOS: 0311 Highest Rank:
Proficiency/Conduct marks (# of occasions):      3.0 ( 9 ) / 2.9 ( 9 )              Fitness reports :
Awards and Decorations ( per DD 214): Rifle , Sea Service Deployment Ribbon (2 stars), Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Presidential Unit Citation - Navy

Medical/Service Record Entries Related to Characterization of Service or Basis for Discharge
20030820 :        NJP -- Viol UCMJ Art. 113 - Misbehavior of sentinel or lookout .
         Awarded - FOP ($ 301 ) for ( 1 months ); Restr for ( 14 days); Extra duties (14 days).
20040506 :        NJP -- Viol UCMJ Art. 86 – Failure to go, Art. 86 - Unauthorized absence (1 day)
         Awarded - FOP ( 668.00 amount) for ( 2 months); RIR ( ); Restr for ( 45 days); Extra duties ( 45 days).
20040714 :        MARCORSEPMAN 6105 counseling for lack of judgment, lack of accountability/dependability, disrespectful attitude and continued pattern of misconduct .
20040924 :        NJP -- Viol UCMJ Art. 91 – Disrespect toward a GYSGT , Art. 91 (2 specs) – Disrespect toward a SGT, Art. 121 – Larceny (pack of cigarettes from a CPL)
         Awarded - FOP ($ 596.00 ) for ( 2 months); RIR ( ); Restr for ( 45 days); Extra duties ( 45 days).

20040924 :        MARCORSEPMAN 6105 c ounseling for your NJP for disrespectful conduct towards NCO’s and SNCO’s and your repeated violations of the UCMJ. Additionally, you have received three nonjudicial punishments during the first two years of your current enlistment and have established a pattern of misconduct . You have clearly demonstrated a lack of judgment and you cannot be relied upon to follow and obey orders and regulations.

20041227 :        NJP -- Viol UCMJ Art. 86 (4 specs) - Failure to go, Art 90 (4 specs) – Willfully disobey a lawful order (visit the internet café while on BN restriction) .
          Awarded - FOP ( 596.00 amount) for ( 2 months); Restr for (60 days).


Discharge Process

 Date Notified:   20050323
Basis for Discharge:      DUE TO
        
Least Favorable Characterization:       
Commanding Officer’s Intended Recommendation:   

Date Applicant Responded to Notification:                  20050323
Rights Elected at Notification:
         Consult with Counsel                      
         Obtain Copies of Documents               
         Submit Statement(s) (date)                         ( Undated )
         Administrative Board                      


Commanding Officer Recommendation (date):        ( 20050323 )
SJA review (date):       ( 20050407 )
Separation Authority (date):     CG, 1 st MARDIV (REIN) ( 20050412 )
Basis for discharge directed:   DUE TO
Characterization directed:     
Date Applicant Discharged:       20050414



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 6210, MISCONDUCT , of the Marine Corps Separation and Retirement Manual, (MCO P1900.16F), effective 01 Sep 2001 until Present.

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 s 90, 91, 113, and 121.


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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