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USMC | DRB | 2012_Marine | MD1201341
Original file (MD1201341.rtf) Auto-classification: Denied

ex-, USMC
Current Discharge and Applicant’s Request
Application Received: 20120605
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)       19981130 - 19990921     Active:  

Period of Service Under Review:
 Date of Current Enlistment: 19990922     Age at Enlistment:
Period of E nlistment : Years Months
Date of Discharge: 20040512      H ighest Rank:
Length of Service : Y ea r ( s ) M on th ( s ) 21 D a y ( s )
Education Level:        AFQT: 61
MOS: 6114
Proficiency/Conduct M arks (# of occasions): ( ) / ( )    Fitness Reports:

Awards and Decorations ( per DD 214):      Rifle MM COC (UNIT AWARD)

Periods of CONF :

NJP:

- 20000504:      Article (Failure to obey order or regulation, consuming alcohol under the legal age)
         Article (General A rticle, drunk and passed out)
         Awarded: Suspended:

- 20000627 :      Article (Failure to obey order or regulation, driving on base while under revocation as of 20000508 for civil DUI)
         Awarded: Suspended:

- 20010220 :      Article (Failure to obey order or regulation, consuming alcohol while under the age of 21)
         Article (Larceny and wrongful appropriation, motorcycle parts, the property of Cpl M_)
         Awarded: 30 day CCU Suspended:

- 20031006:      Article (Failure to obey order or regulation, derelict in duty, spraying alcohol on LCpl W_’s leg and igniting while on an aircraft, subjecting a fueled aircraft to open flame)
         Awarded: Suspended:

SCM:     SPCM:

CIVIL ARREST:

- 20000508 :      Charges: DUI




Retention Warning Counseling:

- 20000502 :      For on or about 20000422 and 20000428, you violated SqdnO 1700.4A by consuming alcohol under the legal age.

- 20000518 :      For you were in violation of Article 86 of unauthorized absence by breaking restriction boundaries.

- 20000527 :       For violation of Articles 92 and 121 of the UCMJ.

- 20030804:      For poor judgment , failure to obey a lawful order, and insubordinate conduct toward a staff non-commissioned officer and commissioned officer.
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:                  Other Documentation:    
                  Additional Statements:
         From Applicant:           From/To Representation:           From/To Congress member:        

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 wants to receive medical care from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
2.       The Applicant contends he has been diagnosed with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and depression from his time in Kuwait and Iraq, and he served 4 years, 7 months, and 21 days of his 5-year enlistment. He also contends the hazing incident that he admitted to was done under extreme stress from his deployment and led to his discharge.

Decision

 Date: 20 1 2 1212            Location: Washington D.C .         R epresentation :

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

 As a result of the Applicant’s claim of PTSD, in accordance with U.S. Code, Title X, Section 1553 (d)(1), the Naval Discharge Review Board included a member who is a physician, clinical psychologist, or psychiatrist. In accordance with section 1553 (d)(2), the service secretary expedited a final decision and accorded the case sufficient priority to achieve an expedited resolution. A review of his service records reveals that he deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

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. T he Board did complete a thorough review of the circumstances that led to discharge and the discharge process to ensure discharge met the pertinent standards of equity and propriety. The Applicant’s record of service included 6105 counseling warnings and non-judicial punishments for violations of the Uniform Code of Military Justice: Article 92 ( Failure to obey order or regulation, 4 specifications), Article 121 (Larceny, 1 specification ), and Article 134 (General Article - Drunk enness, 1 specification ). The Applicant was also arrested by civilian authorities for driving under the influence of alcohol. Based on the offenses committed by the Applicant, command administratively processed for separation. When notified of a dministrative separation processing , the Applicant waived rights to consult with a qualified counsel, submit a written statement, and request an administrative board.

: (Non - decisional) The Applicant wants his discharge upgraded to r eceiv e medical care from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. There is no requirement, or law, that grants re-characterization solely on the issue of facilitating access to VA benefits. Therefore, this issue does not serve to provide a foundation upon which the NDRB can grant relief. Regulations limit the NDRB’s review solely to a determination of the propriety and th e equity of a discharge.

Issue 2: (Decisional) (Propriety/Equity) RELIEF NOT WARRANTED. The Applicant contends he has been diagnosed with PTSD and depression from his time in Kuwait and Iraq, and he served 4 years, 7 months, and 21 days of his 5-year enlistment. He also contends the hazing incident that he admitted to was done under extreme stress from his deployment and led to his discharge. During the Applicant’s enlistment, he received four retention warnings, was found guilty of multiple serious offenses at four NJPs, and was arrested by civil authorities for DUI. Three of the retention warnings, three of the NJPs, and the civil arrest all occurred before the Applicant deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Despite meeting the requirements for separation due to a Pattern of Misconduct, his command retained him in service and allowed him to deploy with his squadron. A subsequent instance of misconduct where he sprayed alcohol on a Lance Corporal’s leg and ignited it while on an aircraft led to his final NJP and processing for separation. The Applicant submitted documentation from April 2012 from the VA Medical Center in Spokane, Washington that has one mention of PTSD being “related to ineffective coping strategies” and further describes the Applicant’s problems of “substance abuse: methamphetamines and alcohol.” None of the documentation contains a diagnosis of PTSD. The NDRB was unable to obtain the Applicant’s in-service or VA medical records. After a complete review of the Applicant’s records, statement, and submitted documentation, the NDRB determined the Applicant’s PTSD did not mitigate his misconduct, much of which occurred before his deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, and further determined his discharge was proper and equitable. Relief 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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