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USMC | DRB | 2008_Marine | MD0800394
Original file (MD0800394.rtf) Auto-classification: Denied

ex-, USMC
Current Discharge and Applicant’s Request
Application Received: 20080117
Characterization of Service Received:
Narrative Reason for Discharge: -DRUG ABUSE
Authority for Discharge: MARCORSEPMAN DRUG ABUSE

Applicant’s Request:     Characterization change to:
                           Narrative Reason change to:

Summary of Service

Prior Service:
 Inactive: USMCR (DEP)     19910116 - 19910407              Active:         
Period of Service Under Review:
 Date of Enlistment: 19910408               Period of enlistment : Years Months             Date of Discharge: 19950406
Length of Service : Yrs Mths 29 D ys      Education Level:         Age at Enlistment:       AFQT: 79
MOS: 0411        Highest Rank:                     Fitness reports:
Proficiency/Conduct marks (# of occasions):      ( )/ ( )
 Awards and Decorations ( per DD 214): Rifle (3 RD ) Pistol LOA COC

Periods of UA / CONF :

NJPs :    
         19920705 : Art(s) 92 (Failure to obey order or regulation) . Awarded - Susp -
         19950125 : Art(s) 112a (Wrongful use of a controlled substance) . Awarded - Susp -

S CMs :   

SPCMs:  

CC:      

6105 Counseling :
         19920609 : For poor performance and work habits in your MOS. Failure to follow basic orders and adhere to rules and regulations. Your lackadaisical attitude in the performance of your regular duties will not be tolerated.
         19950317 : For your disregard for rules and regulations regarding BEQ.

Types of Documents Submitted

 Related to Military Service:      DD 214:          Service and/or Medical Record:            Other Records:

Related to Post-Service Period:  
         Employment:                        Finances:                          Education /Training :     
         Health/Medical Records:           Substance Abuse:                           Criminal Records:       
         Family/Personal Status:                   Community Service:                References:              
        
Additional Statements From Applicant:             From Representat ion :              From Member of Congress:
Other Documentation (Describe)

DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY
NAVAL DISCHARGE REVIEW BOARD (NDRB)
DISCHARGE REVIEW DECISIONAL DOCUMENT

Applicant’s Issues

 1. In service – Equity .
2. Applicant claims he was subject to irregular administrative discharge procedures and was discharge d one day short of his end of obligated service.

Decision


 Date: 20 08 0516   Location: Washington D.C .       R epresentation :

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

 Issue 1 ( ) : REL IEF NOT WARRANTED. The Applicant contends his discharge was inequitable as he was a superior performer with an otherwise clean service record in 48 months of service. The NDRB advises the Applicant that despite a service member ’ s prior record of service certain serious offenses, even though isolated, warrant separation from the service in order to maintain proper order and discipline. The Applicant's misconduct is documented in his service record, which is marred by t wo n on - judicial punishment (NJP) proceeding s: one on 5 July 1992 for violation of the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ), Article 92, failure to obey an order; and one on 25 January 1995 for a violation of UCMJ , Article 112a, w rongful use of a controlled substance. Although a discharge for one violation of the UCMJ , Article 112a may seem harsh, that violation was for abuse of a controlled substance and could have earned the Applicant a punitive discharge had the command pursued a court-martial . Individuals are indoctrinated from the day of recruitment and have the policy reinforced through annual Marine Corps training sessions throughout their enlistment on the Department of the Navy ’ s zero tolerance policy for substance abuse. Violations of this policy result in mandatory processing for administrative separation which usually results in an unfavorable characterization of discharge. Accordingly, this misconduct substantiates the reason for his separation as well as his characterization of service under other than honorable conditions. The Board determined an upgrade was not warranted.

Issue 2 ( ) : RELIEF NOT WARRANTED. The Applicant implies his misconduct was the result of irregular processing and discharging him one day prior to the end of his obligated service. 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 the government acted improper or contrary to esta blished discharge procedures of the Department of the Navy or the Marine Corps during t he Applicant ’ s administrative discharge process. The Applicant ’ s statements alone do not overcome the government ’ s presumption of regularity in this case.

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, Record, Discharge Process and evidence submitted by the Applicant, the Board found

Pertinent Regulation/Law

 A. Paragraph 6210, Misconduct , of the Marine Corps Separation and Retirement Manual, (MCO P1900.16D), effective
27 Jun e 19 89 until 17 Aug ust 19 95.

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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