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USMC | DRB | 2011_Marine | MD1100249
Original file (MD1100249.rtf) Auto-classification: Denied

ex-, USMC
Current Discharge and Applicant’s Request
Application Received: 20101109
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)       20040107 - 20040411     Active:  

Period of Service Under Review:
 Date of Current Enlistment: 20040412     Age at Enlistment:
Period of E nlistment : Years Months
Date of Discharge: 20070313      H ighest Rank:
Length of Service : Y ea r ( s ) M on th ( s ) 2 D a y ( s )
Education Level:        AFQT: 77
MOS: 6821
Proficiency/Conduct M arks (# of occasions): ( ) / ( )    Fitness Reports:

Awards and Decorations ( per DD 214):     

Periods of CONF :

NJP:

- 20050803 :      Article (Failur e to obey order or regulation , 5 specifications )
         Specification 1: Violated a lawful general order by wrongfully going off base without a liberty buddy
         Specification 2: Violated a lawful general order by wrongfully failing to sign out on liberty
         Specification 3 : Violated a lawful general order by wrongfully going off base without a liberty card
         Specification 4 : Violated a lawful general order by wrongfully remaining off base during restricted hours while a red card holder
         Specification 5: Violated a lawful general order by wrongfully wearing an earring
          Awarded: Suspended:

- 20060228 :      Article (Failure to obey order or regulation , 4 specifications )
         Specification 1: Violated a lawful general order by wrongfully failing to sign out on liberty
         Specification 2: Violated a lawful general order by wrongfully consuming alcohol under the age of 21
         Specification 3: Violated a lawful general order by wrongfully not having a liberty card
         Specification 4: Violated a lawful general order by wrongfully consuming alcohol less than 8 hours prior to duty
         Article (UA from place of duty on 20060128, arrived work at 1130 when the reporting time is 0730
         Awarded: Suspended:

- 2006 0516 :      Article (Failure to obey an order or regulation by wrongfully going off base without a liberty buddy)
         Awarded: Suspended:





- 20070130 :      Article (Unauthorized a bsence , 6 specifications )
         Specification 1: On 30 December 2006 SNM UA for 1800 muster, showed up at 1805
         Specif ication 2: On 2 January 2007 SNM UA for 1800 muster, showed up at 1815
         Specif ication 3: On 7 January 2007 SNM UA for 1300 muster, showed up at 1310
         Specification 4: On 13 January 2007 SNM UA for 1300 muster, showed up at 1305
         Specification 5: On 15 January 2007 SNM UA for 0700 muster, showed up at 0730
         Specification 6: On 20 January 2007 SNM UA for 0700 muster, showed up at 0900
         Article (Failure to obey an order or regulation , 6 specifications )
         Specification 1: On 30 December 2006 SNM UA for 1800 muster, showed up at 1805
         Specification 2: On 2 January 2007 SNM UA for 1800 muster, showed up at 1815
         Specification 3: On 7 January 2007 SNM UA for 1300 muster, showed up at 1310
         Specification 4: On 13 January 2007 SNM UA for 1300 muster, showed up at 1305
         Specification 5: On 15 January 2007 SNM UA for 0700 muster, showed up at 0730
          Specification 6: On 20 January 2007 SNM UA for 0700 muster, showed up at 0900
          Awarded: Suspended:

SCM:     SPCM:    CC:

Retention Warning Counseling :

- 20050309 :       For violations of Article 86 and Article 92

- 20050802 :       For violation of Article 92

- 20060227 :       For violations of Article 86 and Article 92

- 20060516       For violation of Article 92

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:                  Oth er Documentation:    
                  Additional Statements :
         From Applicant:            From /To Representation:            From /To Congress m ember :        

Pertinent Regulation/Law

 A. Paragraph 6210, MISCONDUCT , of the Marine Corps Separation and Retirement Manual, (MCO P1900.16F), effective 1 September 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 .



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

Applicant’s Issues

 1.        The Applicant contends his misconduct was minor and did not warrant an Under Other Than Honorabl e Conditions characterization.
2.       The Applicant contends his youth, immaturity , and personal problems led to drinking and his misconduct.

Decision

Date : 2012 0130             Location: Washington D.C .        R epresentation :

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

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 discharg e if such change is warranted. In reviewing discharges, the Board presumes regularity in the conduct of g overnment al affairs unless there is substantial credible evidence to rebut the presumption, to include evidence submitted by the Applicant. The Applicant’s record of service included 6105 counseling warnings and for o f the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ): Article (Unauthorized absence, 7 specifications ) and Article ( , 16 specifications ). Based on the offenses committed by the Applicant, command administratively processed for separation . When notified of administrative separation processing, the Applicant rights to consult with a qualified counsel, submit a written statement, and requ est an administrative board.

: (Decisional) ( ) . The Applicant contends his misconduct was minor and did not warrant an Under Other Than Honorable Conditions characterization. The record shows the Applicant engaged in a long pattern of failure to obey orders and regulations. Violation of Article 92 is considered to be a serious offense that could have resulted in confinement and a punitive discharge if adjudicated at special court-martial. The repeated nature of the Applicant’s misconduct warranted administrative separation with an Under Other Than Honorable Conditions characterization. The NDRB found no evidence of impropriety or inequity in his separation process. Relief denied.

: (Decisional) ( ) . The Applicant contends his youth, immaturity , and personal problems led to drinking and his misconduct. Abuse of alcohol is never an acceptable excuse for misconduct or poor judgment. T he record clearly reflects that the Applicant was responsible for his actions when he chose to engage in numerous acts of misconduct and should be held accountable . Further, the record reflects repeated and willful misconduct and that the Applicant had no potential for further service . The NDRB determined the Applicant ’ s youth or age was not a mitigati ng factor in his misconduct. The Under Other Than Honorable Conditions discharge was warranted. Relief denied.

Summary: After a thorough review of the available evidence, to include the Applicant’s s ummary of s ervice, r ecord e ntries, and d ischarge p rocess, the Board found Therefore, the awarded characterization of service shall and the narrative reason for separation shall . The Applicant remains eligible for a personal appearance hearing for a period of fifteen years from the date of discharge. The Applicant is directed to the Addendum, specifically the paragraphs titled Additional Reviews, Automatic Upgrades, and Post-Service Conduct .





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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