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USMC | DRB | 2011_Marine | MD1100727

Original file (MD1100727.rtf) Auto-classification: Denied

ex-, USMC

Current Discharge and Applicant’s Request

Application Received: 20110125

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:         NONE              Active: NONE

Period of Service Under Review:
Date of Current Enlistment: 20010922     Age at Enlistment:
Period of E nlistment : Years Months
Date of Discharge: 20070911      H ighest Rank:
Length of Service:
         Inactive:        Years Months 13 D ays
         Active: Year Months 0 7 D ays
Education Level:        AFQT: 42
MOS: 0311
Proficiency/Conduct M arks (# of occasions): 4.3 / 4.3     Fitness Reports:

Awards and Decorations ( per DD 214):      Rifle EX CAR AFRM NDSM MCRM SSDR GWOTSM GWOTEM NUC
Periods of UA / CONF :

NJP: NONE                 SCM: NONE                  SPCM: NONE                 CC: NONE

Retention Warning Counseling: 6
- 20051104:      For unsatisfactory performance while assigned to Marine Corps Body Composition Program (BCP)

- 20060730 :      For failure to maintain body composition height and weight standards

- 20070105:      For having made reasonable progress but have failed to reach required body composition while on first assignment to Marine Corps BCP

- 20070203 :      For unsatisfactory performance while assigned to Marine Corps BCP

- 20070415:      For unsatisfactory performance while assigned to Marine Corps BCP

- 20070602 :       For failure of the Marine Corps BCP

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 6215, WEIGHT CONTROL FAILURE , of the Marine Corps Separation and Retirement Manual, (MCO P1900.16E), 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 discharge was improper , because his commanding officer did not properly track his progress through the Marine Corps Body Composition Program.
2.       The Applicant contends he did not have a third class Physical Fitness Test score as stated in his discharge package.
3.       The Applicant contends he sought legal counsel and the only legal officer available was a U.S. Army officer who claimed he had no idea how the Marine Corps proceedings worked in this type of situation.
4.       The Applicant contends his discharge does not take into account his entire character of service.
5.       The Applicant believes his post-service conduct as a Police Officer is worthy of consideration.

Decision

Date: 20 1 2 0 412          Location: Washington D.C .         R epresentation : none

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 discharge if such change is warranted. In reviewing discharges, the Board presumes regularity in the conduct of g overnment al a ffairs unless there is substantial credible evidence to rebut the presumption, to include evidence submitted by the Applicant. The Applicant’s record of service included six 6105 counseling warnings . It did not include any non-judicial punishments or trials by court-martial for violations of the Uniform Code of Military Justice. The Applicant failed to meet the standards of the Marine Corps Body Composition Program (BCP) after a six - month assignment and a six - month extension. The Applicant also required a pre-service weight waiver to enter the Marine Corps . Based on his failure to meet the BCP standards, his command administratively processed him for separation . When notified of administrative separation processing, the Applicant exercised his rights to consult with a qualified counsel and submit a written statement . He was not entitled to an administrative board.

: (Decisional) ( ) . The Applicant contends his discharge was improper , because his commanding officer did not properly track his progress through the Marine Corps BCP . There is no evidence in the record, nor has the Applicant produced any evidence, to support his contention that his command did not follow BCP procedures. The Applicant’s statement alone does not overcome the government ’s presumption of regularity where this issue is concerned. Therefore, the Board concluded that the assigned Narrative Reason for Separation is proper. T he NDRB , however, did discern impropriety concerning the assigned Character of Service . Regulations direct that the Character of Service for Marines discharge d for weight control failure who are over 18 years of age, with at least 180 days of servic e, holding the rank of Private to Corporal, with average proficiency and conduct markings of 3.0/4.0 , respectively, and have not requested separation in lieu of trial by court-martial, be Honorable. The NDR B determined that all the se requirements were met for the Applicant’s service to be characterized at no less than Honorable. Though the discharge was proper, the characterization was not equitable and shall change to Honorable. Relief g ranted.

Issues 2-5: As determined in Issue 1, the assigned Narrative Reason for Separation is proper regardless of the Applicant’s other issues, but the Character of Service is not. R elief was granted based on the i nequitable characterization of his service . Therefore, issues 2 through 5 will not be address ed .

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 Therefore, the awarded characterization of service shall and the narrative reason for separation shall remain . 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 for additional information.

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 | 2011_Marine | MD1100727

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