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USMC | DRB | 2012_Marine | MD1200715

Original file (MD1200715.rtf) Auto-classification: Denied

ex-, USMC

Current Discharge and Applicant’s Request

Application Received: 20120207

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)       20080126 - 20080128     Active:

Period of Service Under Review:
Date of Current Enlistment: 20080129     Age at Enlistment:
Period of E nlistment : Years Months
Date of Discharge: 20100415      H ighest Rank:
Length of Service : Y ea rs M on ths 18 D a ys
Education Level:        AFQT: 92
MOS: 0651
Proficiency/Conduct M arks (# of occasions): /          Fitness R eports:

Awards and Decorations ( per DD 214):      Rifle

Lost Time per DD 214 :
        - 20090716 - 20090720 (5 days)
         - 20090727 - 20090914 (5 days)
         - 20090915 - 20090919 (5 days)

NJP:
- 20090107 :       Article (Failure to obey order, regulation , violated Military Protection Order )
         Awarded: Suspended:

- 20090218 :      Article (Absence without leave , failed to report to his appointed place of duty, restriction check-in )
         Article (Failure to obey order, regulation, broke restriction)
         Article 91 (Insubordinate conduct toward warrant, noncommissioned, petty officer)
         Awarded : Susp ended:

SCM: 3
- 20090515 :       Art icle (Absence without leave , 2 specifications )
         Specification 1 : failed to report to appointed place of duty on 20090417
         Specification 2 : failed to report to appointed place of duty on 20090501
         Article 91 (Insubordinate conduct toward warrant, noncommissioned, petty officer , 2 specifications )
         Specification 1 : showed insubo rdination toward MSgt W____ on 2009 0420
         Specification 2 : failed to obey orders of MSgt W____ on 20090501
         Sentence : (20090515-20090607, served 24 days)

- 20090925:      Article 92 (Failure to obey order, regulation, violated Military Protection Order)
         Awarded: CONF 7 days RESTR FOP

- 20091221:      Article 112a (Wrongful use, possession, etc. of controlled substance, Marijuana)
         Awarded: CONF 30 days (20091219-20100111, served 24 days) FOP

SPCM:    CC:

Retention Warning Counseling :

- 20090107 :       For violation of Article 92 adjudicated at battalion level NJP on 20090107

- 20090218 :       For violations of Articles 86, 92, 91adjudicated at battalion level NJP on 20090218

- 20090626: For personality disorder

Administrative Corrections to the Applicant’s DD 214

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

         “ ”

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

Pertinent Regulation/Law

A. The Marine Corps Separation and Retirement Manual, (MCO P1900.16F), effective 1 September 2001 until Present, Paragraph 6210, MISCONDUCT .

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 caused by mental health problems.
2.       The Applicant contends his command failed to appropriately act on the Division Psychiatrist’s recommendation for admini strative separation in February 2009.
Decision

Date: 20 1 2 1 119          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 6105 counseling warnings, for o f the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ): Article ( Failure to obey order or regulation , ), Article ( Absence without leave ), and Article ( Insubordinate conduct toward warrant, noncommissioned, petty officer ) , and for of the UCMJ: Article (Absence without leave, 2 specification s ) , Article 91 (Insubordinate conduct toward warrant, noncommissioned, petty officer , 2 specifications ), Article 92 (Failure to obey order or regulation), and Article 112a (Wrongful use, possession, etc. of controlled substance, Marijuana) . The Applicant a pre-service drug waiver for using marijuana prior to entering the Marine Corps, acknowledged complete understanding of the Marine Corps Policy Concerning Illegal Use of Drugs on 4 January 2008 . Based on the Article 112a violation , processing for administ rative separation is mandatory. When notified of a dministrative separation processing using the procedure, the Applicant rights to consult with a qualified coun sel, submit a written statement , and request an administrative board .

: (Decisional) ( Equity ) . The Applicant contends his misconduct was caused by mental health problems. When reviewing a discharge, the NDRB does consider the extent to which a medical problem might affect an Applicant’s performance and ability to conform to the military’s standards of conduct and discipline. After reviewing the Applicant’s service and medical records, the NDRB determined he was , despite his diagnosed personality disorder, responsible for his behavior and accountable for his misconduct . The NDRB does not consider the circumstances surrounding the Applicant’s stated condition to be of sufficient nature to excuse the Applica nt’s misconduct. Relief denied.

: (Decisional) ( Propriety/ Equity) . The Applicant contends his command failed to appropriately act on the Division Psychiatrist’s recommendation for administrative separation in February 2009. The Division Psychiatrist’s recommendation is just that, a recommendation. There was no requirement for the Applicant’s commanding officer to separate him based upon this recommendation. The Applicant’s commanding officer determined the Applicant was still fit to be a Marine and retained him in the service. However, after numerous subsequent instances of misconduct, his commanding officer processed the Applicant for administrative separation. Department of Defense disability regulations do not preclude a disciplinary separation. Appropriate regulations stipulate that separations for misconduct take precedence over potential separations for other reasons. When recommending the Applicant for separation processing, the Commanding Officer, 2d Battalion, 9th Marines , in his letter dated 26 January 2010 recommending a characterization of service Under Other Than Honorable C onditions , stated that his recommendation was based upon the Division Psychiatrist’s letter dated 26 June 2009, the Commander, Navy Medicine East l etter dated 9 October 2009, two letters from the Chair, Family A dvocacy Program Case Review Committee , and a summary court-m artial dated 21 December 2009. The evidence of record does not indicate that proper authority erred by not initiating a more expeditious administrative separation. Also, there was no indication that at any time was the Applicant either not responsible for his actions or should not be held accountable for his misconduct. The Applicant submitted documentation showing that he is collecting Social Security disability, though the documentation is not specific as to why he is receiving disability. The NDRB determined his post-service receipt of Social Security disability does not mitigate his in-service misconduct. The NDRB determined the discharge was proper and equitable. R elief denied.

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), 701 South Courthouse Road, Suite 1001, Arlington, VA 22204-2490 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 | 2012_Marine | MD1200715

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