Upgrade.Vet

USMC | DRB | 2010_Marine | MD1000415

Original file (MD1000415.rtf) Auto-classification: Denied

ex-, USMC

Current Discharge and Applicant’s Request

Application Received: 20091117
Characterization of Service Received:

Narrative Reason for Discharge:
Authority for Discharge: MARCORSEPMAN

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

Summary of Service
Prior Service:
Inactive:         US N R (DEP)        199010 - 199102         Active:
         USAR (DEP)       199106 - 199102
         USMCR (DEP)      19921001 - 19930725

Period of Service Under Review:
Date of Current Enlistment: 19930726     Age at Enlistment:
Period of E nlistment : Years Months
Date of Discharge: 19951116      H ighest Rank:
Length of Service : Y ea rs M on ths 21 D a ys
Education Level:        AFQT: 39
MOS: 2500
Proficiency/Conduct M arks (# of occasions): ( ) / ( )    Fitness Reports:
Awards and Decorations ( per DD 214):      NONE

Periods of UA / CONF : UA: 19940104-19951016, 651 days / CONF:

NJP:     SCM:     SPCM:    CC:      Retention Warning Counseling:

NDRB Documentary Review Conducted (date):        19961112
NDRB Documentary Review Docket Number:   MD97-00056
NDRB Documentary Review Findings:                 Proper as issued and that no change is warranted.

The NDRB did note administrative error(s) on the original DD Form 214:

         Decorations, Medals, Badges, Citations, and Campaign Ribbons Awarded or Authorized, should read: “ NATIONAL DEFENSE SERVICE MEDAL ”
         “ ”

The NDRB will recommend to the Commandant of the Marine Corps that the DD 214 be corrected as appropriate.

Types of Documents Submitted/reviewed
Related to Military Service:
         DD 214:          Service/Medical Record:          Other Records:

Related to Post-Service Period:
         Employment:               Finances:                 Education/Training:
         Health/Medical Records:          Rehabilitation/Treatment:                 Criminal Records:
         Personal Documentation:          Community Service:                References:
         Department of VA letter:                  Other Documentation:
                  Additional Statements:
         From Applicant:          From/To Representation:          From/To Congress member:

Pertinent Regulation/Law
A. Paragraph 6419, SEPARATION IN LIEU OF TRIAL BY COURT-MARTIAL , of the Marine Corps Separation and Retirement Manual, (MCO P1900.16E), effective 18 August 1995 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 IV, Para 403m(7)(b), Presumption Concerning Court-Martial Specifications .

C . 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 .

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

Applicant’s Issues

1.       D ischarge was inequitable , because he followed erroneous guidance received from his command when he requested a medical hardship discharge to allow him to care for his terminally ill mother. He contends that following th e erroneous guidance caused him to be discharged under other than honorable conditions.
2.       Post-service conduct warrants consideration for an upgrade to Honorable .

Decision

Date: 2010 1208             Location: Washington D.C.        R epresentation :

By a vote of the Characterization shall .
By a vote of the Narrative Reason shall SECRETARIAL AUTHORITY .

Discussion

The NDRB, under its responsibility to examine the propriety and equity of an Applicant’s discharge, is authorized to change the character of service and the reason for discharge if such change is warranted. In reviewing discharges, the Board presumes regularity in the conduct of governmental affairs unless there is substantial credible evidence to rebut the presumption, to include evidence submitted by the Applicant . T he Applicant’s record of service did not include any 6105 counseling warnings , non-judicial punishments, summary courts-martial , or special courts-martial for violations of the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) . However, i t did reflect a violation of the UCMJ (Article 86, Unauthorized Absence, 19940104-19951016 ) for which charges were referred to a special court-martial. O n 27 Oct ober 1995 , the Applicant s ubmitted a request for separation in lieu of trial by court-martial. In the request for discharge , he noted that his counsel had fully explained the elements of the offense for which he was charged and that he was guilty of th e offens e . He certified a complete understanding of the negative consequences of his actions and that characterization of service could be Under Other Than Honorable Conditions. Based on the offense committed by the Applicant, command administratively processed for separation.

: (Decisional) ( ) . The Applicant contends his discharge was inequitable , because he followed erroneous guidance received from his command when he requested a medical hardship discharge to allow him to care for his terminally ill mother. He contends that following that guidance caused him to be discharged under other than honorable conditions. After a thorough review of the Applicant’s supporting documentation and official service record, and taking into consideration his testimony , the testimony of his w itness , and the facts and circumstances unique to this case, the ND RB determined relief is warranted based on equitable grounds. Evidence suggests that his command did not adequately explain the discharge process or advise him on the availability of other options s uch as humanitarian transfers. Consequently, the Applicant acted on h is understanding of the information he was provided . The NDRB concluded that the A pplicant ’s intentions were not malicious as he believed he had been properly discharged. The Board vote d 3 to 2 to upgrade the characterization of service and change the narrative reason for separation.

: (Decisional) ( ). The Applicant contends his post-service conduct warrants consideration for an upgrade to a n Honorable discharge. The NDRB did review this I ssue, but since full relief was granted based on Issue 1 , no further response is required.

Summary: After a thorough review of the available evidence, to include the Applicant’s summary of service, record entries, and discharge process, the Board found the discharge was proper but not equitable. Therefore, based on equitable grounds, the awarded characterization of service shall and the narrative reason for separation shall change to SECRETARIAL AUTHORITY.

ADDENDUM: Information for the Applicant

Complaint Procedures : If you believe 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 : After a document review has been conducted, former members are eligible for a personal appearance hearing, provided the application is received at the NDRB within 15 years of the Applicant’s 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. There are veterans organizations such as the American Legion and the Disable d American Veterans that are willing to provide guidance to former service members in their efforts to obtain a discharge upgrade. If a former member has been discharged for more than 15 years, has already been granted a personal appearance hearing or has otherwise exhausted their 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 U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) determines eligibility for post-service benefits, not the NDRB. 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.

Employment/Educational Opportunities : The NDRB has no authority to upgrade a discharge for the sole purpose of enhancing employment or educational opportunities. Regulations limit the NDRB’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 BCNR can make changes to reenlistment codes. Additionally, the NDRB 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 is processed subsequently for an administrative involuntary separation or is referred to a court martial for misconduct, the disability evaluation is suspended pending the outcome of the non-disability proceedings. If the action includes either a punitive or administrative discharge for misconduct or for any basis wherein an Other Than Honorable discharge is authorized, 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 BCNR can grant this type of narrative reason change.

Automatic Upgrades - There is no law or regulation that provides for an unfavorable discharge to be upgraded based solely on the passage of time or good conduct subsequent to leaving naval service.

Post-Service Conduct : The NDRB is authorized to consider post-service factors in the recharacterization of a discharge. Outstanding post-service conduct, 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, is considered during Board reviews. Documentation to support a post-service conduct upgrade includes, but is not limited to: a verifiable continuous employment record; marriage and children’s birth certificates (if applicable); character witness statements; documentation of community or church service; certification of non-involvement with civil authorities; evidence of financial stability or letters of good standing from banks, credit card companies, or other financial institutions; attendance at or completion of higher education (official transcripts); and documentation of a drug-free lifestyle. The Applicant is advised that completion of these items alone does not guarantee the upgrade of an unfavorable discharge, as each discharge is reviewed by the Board on a case-by-case basis to determine if post-service accomplishments help demonstrate in-service misconduct was an aberration and not indicative of the member’s overall character.

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 NDRB 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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USMC | DRB | 2010_Marine | MD1000415

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