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USMC | DRB | 2008_Marine | MD0800790
Original file (MD0800790.rtf) Auto-classification: Denied

ex-, USMC
Current Discharge and Applicant’s Request
Application Received: 20080222
Characterization of Service Received:
Narrative Reason for Discharge:
Authority for Discharge: MARCORSEPMAN

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

Summary of Service

Prior Service:
 Inactive: USMCR (DEP)     19940506 - 19940515              Active:

Period of Service under Review:
 Date of Enlistment: 19940516               Period of E nlistment : Years Months             Date of Discharge: 19951122
Length of Service : Yrs M o s 07 D ys       Education Level:         Age at Enlistment: : AFQT: 53
MOS: 0842        Highest Rank:                     Fitness R eports:
Proficiency/Conduct M arks (# of occasions):      ( )/ ( )
 Awards and Decorations ( per DD 214): Rifle ,

Periods of UA / CONF :

NJPs :    
19950609 :         Art icle 92 (Failure to obey) , 2 specifications,
         Art icle 117 (Wrong fully use of reproachful words),
         Art icle 134 (Drunk and disorderly) ,
         Art icle 112a ( W rongful use of methamphetamine and cocaine ) .
         Awarded - . Susp - .
S CMs :   

SPCMs:  

CC:      

6105 Counseling :
19950609 :         For wrongfully us ing a controlled substance: Specific recommendation for corrective action .

Types of Documents Submitted/reviewed

 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) DD Form 214 from Army National Guard



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

Applicant’s Issues

 1 . Reenlistment/RE-Code .
2 . Post service conduct .

Decision


 Date: 20 08 0807             Location: Washington D.C .         R epresentation :

By a vote of the Characterization shall .
By a vote of the Narrative Reason shall MISCONDUCT – DRUG ABUSE (WITH BOARD) .

Discussion

 : This is an issue for which the Board does not have the authority to grant relief. The Applicant is directed to the Addendum , for additional information regarding Reenlistment/RE Codes .

: (Equity) RELIEF WARRANTED. In reviewing discharges, the Board presumes regularity in the conduct of Government affairs unless there is a substantial credible evidence to rebut the presumption, to include evidence submitted by the Applicant. The Applicant’s service was marred by the award of non-judicial punishment for a violation of the Uniform Code of Military Justice , A rticles 92 , 117, 134 , and 112a. Violations of these Articles a re considered serious offenses , punishable by a bad conduct or dishonorable discharge and up to three years imprisonment if adjudicated by a special or general court-martial. T he Command did not pursue a punitive discharge through a court-martial but opted instead for an a dministrative discharge. As such, the separation code is appropriate for the misconduct. However, t he Board did determine that some degree of relief was warranted based on the Applicant’s significant post service accomplishment s – specifically, evidence of a substance-free lifestyle, persevering in entering the Army National Guard, and personal decorations received for honorable service with the Army National Guard while deployed to Iraq . The Board determined an upgrade was warranted.

While the Applicant’s request for a n upgrade to an discharge was considered inappropriate due to the nature of his in-service conduct, the board did find an upgrade to a General discharge to be appropriate .

After a thorough review of the available evidence, to include the Applicant’s Summary or Service, Service Record Entries, Discharge Process and evidence submitted by the Applicant, the Board found the discharge was proper but inequitable.

Pertinent Regulation/Law

 A. Paragraph 6210, MISCONDUCT , of the Marine Corps Separation and Retirement Manual, (MCO P1900.16E), effective 18 Aug 95 to 30 Jan 97.

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 112a , (wrongful use of a controlled substance) .


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 or is referred to a court-martial fo r 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 other medical related reasons. ” 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 special 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. The NDRB does not have the jurisdictional authority to review a discharge or dismissal resulting from a general court-martial.

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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