ex-PFC, USMC

Current Discharge and Applicant’s Request

Applicant’s Request:     Characterization change to: HONORABLE
         Narrative Reason change to: NONE REQUESTED
        

Summary of Service

Prior Service:
Inactive:        USMCR (DEP)      20080827 - 20081102 COG         Active:  NONE

Period of Service Under Review:
Date of Current Enlistment: 20081103    Age at Enlistment: 19
Period of Enlistment: 4 Years 0 Months
Date of Discharge: 20100114     Highest Rank: PRIVATE FIRST CLASS
Length of Service: 01 Year(s) 01 Month(s) 12 Day(s)
Education Level: 12     AFQT: 92
MOS: 0313
Proficiency/Conduct Marks (# of occasions): 4.3 (4) / 4.3 (4)   Fitness Reports: NOT APPLICABLE

Awards and Decorations (per DD 214):     Rifle SS GWOTSM NDSM

Periods of UA/CONF: NONE

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

Retention Warning Counseling: 1

- 20090630:      For loss of barracks key. SNM advised Police Sgt that he lost his key on or about 20090625 during PT.

Administrative Corrections to the Applicant’s DD 214

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

         Block 24, Character of Service, should read: “UNDER OTHER THAN HONORABLE CONDITIONS”
        
The NDRB will recommend to the Commandant of the Marine Corps that the DD 214 be corrected as appropriate.

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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 6419, SEPARATION IN LIEU OF TRIAL BY COURT-MARTIAL , of the Marine Corps Separation and Retirement Manual, (MCO P1900.16E), effective 18 August 1995 until 31 August 2001.

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)(b), Presumption Concerning Court-Martial Specifications .

C. 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 desired to enter the military and collaborated with his recruiter not to disclose rehabilitation treatment for prescription pain medication abuse in order to gain entry into the military and therefore was unjustly given an OTH discharge after committing larceny.

Decision


Date: 20150806  DOCUMENTARY REVIEW      Location: Washington D.C.        Representation: NONE

By a vote of 5-0 the Characterization shall remain UNDER OTHER THAN HONORABLE CONDITIONS. .
By a vote of 5-0 the Narrative Reason shall remain IN LIEU OF TRIAL BY COURT MARTIAL .

Discussion

As a result of the Applicant’s claim of prescription drug abuse and in accordance with U.S. Code, Title X, Section 1553 (e)(2), the Naval Discharge Review Board included a member who is a clinical psychologist or psychiatrist, or a physician with special training on mental health disorder. The Applicant’s service record did not document any mental health diagnosis during his period of service in the armed forces.

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 completed a thorough review of the circumstances that led to his discharge and the discharge process to ensure his discharge met the pertinent standards of equity and propriety. The Applicant’s record of service contained no misconduct resulting in nonjudicial punishment or court-martial. The Applicant acknowledged his complete understanding of the Marine Corps Policy Concerning Illegal Use of Drugs on 26 August 2008. On 11 November 2009, the Applicant submitted his request for separation in lieu of trial by court-martial (SILT). In the request for discharge, the Applicant elected his right to consult with counsel, acknowledged that he fully understood the elements of the offenses for which he was charged, and was guilty of those offenses. He certified a complete understanding of the negative consequences of his actions and that characterization of service could be Under Other Than Honorable Conditions which might deprive him of virtually all veterans benefits based upon his current enlistment.

Issue 1: (Decisional) (Propriety/Equity) RELIEF NOT WARRANTED. The Applicant desired to enter the military and collaborated with his recruiter not to disclose rehabilitation treatment for prescription pain medication abuse in order to gain entry into the military and therefore was unjustly given an OTH discharge after committing larceny. The Applicant provided a sworn affidavit from his mother attesting to witnessing the full disclosure of a pre-service 28 day in-patient drug treatment program. Additionally, the Applicant submitted associated medical documentation as well as pre-service and post-service accomplishments and character references. Although the Applicant has made a plausible case that the Recruiter conspired with him to attain fraudulent entry into military service, the Recruiter’s complicity neither justifies nor is a defense for the Applicant’s own misconduct. The Applicant was clearly aware that his drug abuse treatment would likely be disqualifying and did not disclose it on either the medical screening application to enter military service nor during his entry physical on 28 August 2008. Additionally, there would have been numerous opportunities during the initial weeks of recruit training at Parris Island to honestly disclose the omission and correct the record.

The evidence provided by the applicant also did not show that addiction issues with prescription drugs were sufficient mitigation to excuse the Applicant’s conduct or accountability concerning his actions. On 11 November 2009, the Applicant submitted a request to be separated in lieu of trial by court-martial with full knowledge of the consequences of this decision. Per regulations, to attain approval for a SILT request, service members must have been afforded the opportunity to consult with a qualified counsel and submit a written statement. They must also fully understand the elements of the offenses for which they were charged, and they must admit their guilt. They further certify a complete understanding of the negative consequences of their actions and that characterization of service could be Under Other Than Honorable Conditions, which might deprive them of virtually all veterans benefits based upon their current enlistment. The NDRB did not find any impropriety or inequity in the discharge of the Applicant. Relief denied.

Summary: After a thorough review of the available evidence, to include the Applicant’s summary of service, medical and service record entries, and discharge process, the Board found the discharge was proper and equitable at the time of discharge. Therefore, the awarded characterization of service shall remain UNDER OTHER THAN HONORABLE CONDITIONS and the narrative reason for separation shall remain IN LIEU OF TRIAL BY COURT MARTIAL . The Applicant remains eligible for a personal appearance hearing for a period of fifteen years from the date of his 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 , or http://www.secnav.navy.mil/mra/bcnr/Pages/default.aspx 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