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USMC | DRB | 2014_Marine | MD1400863
Original file (MD1400863.rtf) Auto-classification: Denied

ex-, USMC
Current Discharge and Applicant’s Request
Application Received: 20140402
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)       20081204 - 20090111     Active:  

Period of Service Under Review:
Date of Current Enlistment: 20090112     Age at Enlistment:
Period of E nlistment : Years Months
Date of Discharge: 20120330      H ighest Rank:
Length of Service : Y ea r ( s ) M on th ( s ) 19 D a y ( s )
Education Level:        AFQT: 73
MOS: 0341
Proficiency/Conduct M arks (# of occasions): /          Fitness R eports:

Awards and Decorations (per DD 214):      Rifle ACM (2)

Periods of UA :

NJP:
- 20110113 :      Article (Failure to obey order or regulation , operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated on 20101223 )
         Awarded: Suspended: (Vacated 20110120)

- 20110504 :      Article (Failure to obey order or regulation , consuming alcohol during liberty on 20110419 )
         Awarded: Suspended:

- 20111115 :       Article (Failure to obey order or regulation , operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated on 20111021 )
         Article ( Drunken or reckless operation of vehicle, aircraft, or vessel )
         Awarded: Suspended:

SCM:

- 20111220 :       Art icle General A rticle, break said restriction)
         Sentence : (20111221-20120112, 23 days)

SPCM:    CC:

Retention Warning Counseling :

- 20110711 :       For your violations of the UCMJ, Article 92, Failure to obey order or regulation and 108, D amage of military property of the United States. Specifically, on 20110602 you reported to your platoon sergeant that your SAPI plates were damage and in an unserviceable condition. This was in direct violation of both Articles listed above due to your failure to report in a timely manner and follow up on actions concerning the damaged gear.

- 20111114 :       For pattern of misconduct.

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 alcohol problems began after his Afghanistan deployment, and he should have sought treatment for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder ( PTSD ) and Traumatic Brain Injury ( TBI ) .

Decision

Date: 20140710   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 and TBI, 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. The Applicant’s service record documents completion of a deployment from March to October 2011 to Afghanistan conducting combat operations in support of Operation ENDURING 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 governmental 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, for o f the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ): Article 92 (Failure to obey order or regulation, 3 specifications : Specification 1: Operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated on 20101223, Specification 2: Consuming alcohol during liberty on 20110419, and Specification 3 : Operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated on 20111021) and Article 111 (Drunken or reckless operation of vehicle, aircraft, or vessel) , and one Summary Court-Martial for of the UCMJ: Article 134 ( General A rticle, break said restriction). Based on the offense s committed by the Applicant, command administratively processed for separation . When notified of a dministrative separation processing using the procedure, the Applicant right to consult with a qualified counsel but waived his rights to sub mit a written statement and request an administrative board .

: (Decisional) ( ) . The Applicant contends his alcohol problems began after his Afghanistan deployment, and he should have sought treatment for PTSD and T BI. On 09 December 2011, the Applicant was screened for PTSD and TBI , and although he reported symptoms associated with PTSD and TBI, competent medical authority did not diagnose him with either PTSD or TBI. T he Regimental Surgeon, 2D Marine Regiment referred the Applicant to Mental Health providers for further treatment. T he record does show the Commanding General, 2D Marine Division letter dated 23 March 2012 referenced an Operational Stress Control and Readiness (OSCAR) Psychiatrist’s letter dated 19 January 2012 that he took into consideration prior to making his determination on the Applicant’s separation and Under Other Than Honorable Conditions characterization of service. Unfortunately, the NDRB does not have a copy of the referenced letter. However, a medical record dated 27 March 2012 shows the Applicant declined to be evaluated for PTSD and TBI , and he reported that previous PTSD and TBI symptoms had resolved, and he currently denied PTSD or TBI symptoms.

As to the Applicant’s contention that his alcohol abuse began after his return from Afghanistan, t he record shows a long history of alcohol abuse and driving under the influence before his tour to Afghanistan . The Applicant had a pre-service waiver for a Driving While Ability Impaired conviction in March 2007. The record also shows the Applicant received NJP for o perating a motor vehicle while intoxicated on 23 December 2010 and another NJP for drinking while on liberty in Sicily, Italy on 19 April 2011. Both of these incidences appear to be prior to his tour to Afghanistan . In addition, the Applicant submitted a personal character reference that describe d the Applicant having struggl ed with alcoholism since he had known him from boot camp. The NDRB found nothing in the Applicant’s records, and the Applicant did not submit any evidence, to show that he was not responsible for his conduct or should not be held accountable for his actions. After an exhaustive review, including the five character references provided by the Applicant, the NDRB determined PTSD and TBI did not mitigate his misconduct , and 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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