ex-, USMC

Current Discharge and Applicant’s Request

Applicant’s Request:     Characterization change to:
         Narrative Reason change to:
        

Summary of Service

Prior Service:
Inactive:        USMCR (DEP)      20001227 - 20010723     Active: 

Period of Service Under Review:
Date of Current Enlistment: 20010724    Age at Enlistment:
Period of Enlistment: Years Months
Date of Discharge: 20051107     Highest Rank:
Length of Service: Year(s) Month(s) 04 Day(s)
Education Level:        AFQT: 72
MOS: 2111
Proficiency/Conduct Marks (# of occasions): () / ()   Fitness Reports:

Awards and Decorations (per DD 214):     Rifle (Iraq) (Kuwait/Iraq) -N


NJP:

- 20020412:      Article
         Article
         Awarded: Suspended: (1 month) (15 days)

- 20040625:      Article
         Article
         Awarded: Suspended:

SCM:

- 20040127:      Article consuming alcohol under the age of 21on 20030622
         Article consuming alcohol under the age of 21 on 20030809
         Article
         Sentence: (20040128-20040219, 22 days)

SPCM:

- 20050112:      Article 20040728-20040826, 28 days
         Article unlawfully enter the apartment manager office of Shadowridge Woodbend Apartments
         Sentence: CONF 60 days (20050112-20050302, 50 days)
         CA: The sentence is approved and, except for the bad conduct discharge, ordered executed

CC:

Retention Warning Counseling:

- 20020423:      For violation of Article 86 and 91of the UCMJ, specifically, willfully disobeying a lawful order from SgtMaj T_. SMN was counseled by the SgtMaj twice before for inappropriate behavior in town. SNM was apprehended by SBCS and was charged with contributing to the delinquency of a minor, for having a 15 year old female in his car. Therefore, SNM was unable to serve his rover watch.

- 20020503:      For violation of Article 86 x2 of the UCMJ, from 0630-1415, 20020419 and 0600, 20020426.

- 20020911:      For unacceptable academic performance.

- 20030602:      For violation of Article 92 (Failure to obey order or regulation) and Article 111 (Drunken or reckless operation of a vehicle, aircraft or vessel), illegal consumption of alcohol while under the legal drinking age of 21 and driving while under the influence of alcohol on 20030602 with BAC reported as .10.

- 20030622:      For violation of Article 92 (Failure to obey an order or regulation) and violation of Article 80 (Attempts), illegal consumption of alcohol while under the legal drinking age of 21. This is clearly a direct violation of Base Order P5000.2J paragraph 3005 (3) and attempting to assault a fellow Marine with a knife.

- 20040927:      For being arrested by the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department for drunk and disorderly. You were wondering around while intoxicated. The apartment manager contacted the Sherrif’s department to have you removed from the premises.





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:        

Types of Witnesses Who Testified

         Expert:           Character:      

Pertinent Regulation/Law

A. Paragraph 1105, DISCHARGE ADJUDGED BY SENTENCE OF COURT-MARTIAL , 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 IV, Para 403m(7)(a), Presumption Concerning Court-Martial Specifications .

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

Applicant’s Issues

1.       The Applicant wants an upgrade of his discharge to be eligible for Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits.
2.       The Applicant contends that combat connected post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and mental health disorders, are the underlying cause for his misconduct and discharge with BCD.
3.       The Applicant contends his post-service conduct and accomplishments warrant consideration for an upgrade of his discharge to Honorable, or General (Under Honorable Conditions).

Decision


Date: 20150604           Location: Washington D.C.        Representation:

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 governmental affairs unless there is substantial credible evidence to rebut the presumption, to include evidence submitted by the Applicant. The 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; for of the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ): Article 86 (Absence without leave; 2 specifications), Article 91 (Insubordinate conduct toward warrant, noncommissioned, or petty officer), and Article 92 (Failure to obey order or regulation); for of the UCMJ: Article 92 (2 specifications of drinking alcohol under age 21), and Article 111 (Drunk or reckless operation of a vehicle); and one special court-martial (SPCM) for violations of the UCMJ: Article 86 (28 days), and Article 134 (General article; unlawful entry). The Court sentenced the Applicant to Bad Conduct Discharge (BCD), and confinement for 60 days. The Applicant was discharged on 7 November 2005.

The Applicant stated that he was diagnosed with PTSD related to his combat service in Iraq. The Applicant’s service record documents completion of a deployment in Iraq in 2003, conducting combat support operations in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM. As a result of the Applicant’s claim of PTSD or 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.

: (Nondecisional) The Applicant wants an upgrade of his discharge to be eligible for Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits. There is no requirement, or law, that grants re-characterization solely on the issue of facilitating access to VA benefits. Additionally, the NDRB has no authority to upgrade a discharge for the sole purpose of enhancing educational opportunities or employment opportunities. Regulations limit the NDRB’s review solely to a determination of the propriety and the equity of a discharge. As such, this issue does not serve to provide a foundation upon which the NDRB can grant relief.

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has announced special access to combat veterans discharged under other than dishonorable conditions. The VA determines the eligibility for enrollment independent of the Applicant’s characterization of service as determined by the Marine Corps. Effective 28 January 2008, combat veterans discharged from active duty on or after 28 January 2003 are eligible for combat-veteran enhanced eligibility and enrollment placement into Priority Group 6 (unless eligible for higher enrollment Priority Group placement) for five years after discharge. The Applicant, as a combat veteran, is encouraged to contact the VA for more information at 1-877-222-8387 or http://www4.va.gov/healtheligibility/Library/pubs/CombatVet/CombatVet.pdf .


: (Decisional) () . The Applicant contends that combat connected post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and mental health disorders, are the underlying cause for his misconduct and discharge with BCD. There is evidence in the Applicant’s record that he began heavy alcohol abuse at age 16, and did not quit alcohol abuse until after his discharge from the Marine Corps. Prior to the Applicant’s deployment to Iraq, his record shows he received three written counseling entries for unsatisfactory performance, and violations of the UCMJ, and one NJP for violations of the UCMJ. Immediately following the Applicant’s return from Iraq, he received a SCM for drinking alcohol under age 21 and DUI. Five months after his SCM, the Applicant received another NJP for more violations of the UCMJ. One month later, the Applicant absented himself from his unit without authority for 28 days, and received a SPCM for violations of Article 86, and Article 134. The Applicant was evaluated by the Naval Hospital Mental Health Unit on 31 March 2005 and diagnosed with Axis II: Anti-social Personality Disorder. The Applicant’s post-service mental health history shows diagnosis for PTSD, Bipolar II Disorder, Major Depressive Disorder, Mood Disorder, and Social Phobia. The Applicant produced letters from mental health providers as evidence of his mental health disorders. However, the NDRB does not find that the Applicant’s mental health disorders, as diagnosed post-service, mitigated his in-service misconduct. In fact, the Applicant contends that he has not been in any trouble with civilian authorities since his discharge, has now quit abusing alcohol, and has completed two college Associates of Science degrees. With respect to a discharge adjudged by a court-martial case, 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. In response to the Applicant’s clemency request, relevant and material facts stated in a court-martial specification are presumed by the NDRB to be established facts. The Applicant’s case was considered under the pertinent standards of equity to determine if any factors in this particular case merited clemency. The NDRB found the evidence of record did not contain sufficient mitigating or extenuating factors to offset the seriousness of the offenses for which the discharge was awarded. Relief denied.

: (Decisional) () . The Applicant contends his post-service conduct and accomplishments warrant consideration for an upgrade of his discharge to Honorable, or General (Under Honorable Conditions). The NDRB considers 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. The Applicant provided a personal statement, evidence of college certificates and two Associate of Science degrees, letters from mental health providers, and a letter of testimony from his mother. The Applicant could have provided documentation as detailed in the Post-Service Conduct paragraph in the Addendum , however, completion of these items alone does not guarantee an upgrade from an unfavorable discharge as each discharge is reviewed by the Board on a case by case basis to determine if post-service conduct establishes that the in-service misconduct was an aberration. To warrant an upgrade, the Applicant’s post-service efforts need to be more encompassing. The Board determined that the documentation submitted by the Applicant does not demonstrate if in-service misconduct was an aberration. The characterization of service received was appropriate considering the length of service and UCMJ violations. 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 remain BAD CONDUCT DISCHARGE and the narrative reason for separation shall remain COURT-MARTIAL .

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: Effective 6 February 2015, the NDRB is authorized to change a NDRB Applicant’s Reenlistment Code if related to an accompanying change in discharge characterization or narrative, but this authority is strictly limited to those cases where an applicant’s narrative reason or characterization of discharge is changed and that change warrants revision of the previously issued reenlistment code. 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