“I had been on a 30-year journey trying to get my USMC Other Than Honorable Conditions (OTH) discharge upgraded. I enlisted in the Marine Corps when I was 17 years old. I had to get my parents’ permission because I was not yet 18. Unfortunately, I was young, immature and made foolish mistakes that got me kicked out of the Marine Corps before my enlistment was up.
After I was discharged from the Marine Corps with an OTH discharge, I knew that I needed to get my life together and show others that the DD 214 that said “Discharge in Lieu of Court-Martial” with an OTH characterization was not who I was. I was an immature young man who did stupid things, which I regretted. But I never gave up—this is what the Marine Corps taught me. I worked many odd jobs and after working hard for 7 years, I got a lucky break and was hired as a State Corrections Officer. Since I had not completed my USMC enlistment, I wanted the opportunity to serve my country again and make things right. Several years later, the Army National Guard gave me the opportunity to enlist with a waiver. After several months, I deployed to Afghanistan for one year.
I wanted to correct my records because I knew the OTH discharge did not portray who I was nor my love for the Marine Corps. I contacted many lawyers with expertise in military discharge matters. No one would take my case because they did not think I had a chance of success. I was going to give up, but before I did, I thankfully found Ferah’s website and contacted her with one last glimmer of hope that she could help me. Ferah listened to my story and believed my case had merit based upon the facts and issues in my case.
With Ferah’s guidance and expertise, the Board for Correction of Naval Records (BCNR) upgraded my discharge to a fully Honorable Discharge, changed the narrative reason to Secretarial Authority and also changed my RE code. I am grateful that the BCNR took the time to carefully review my case and reviewed all of my contentions. My 30-year fight for justice has finally come to an end. I can now hold my head high. The pride I feel is overwhelming. I will tell my young children about my service in the Marine Corps and when they are older and I hope they will also serve their country as I did. Thank you, Ferah for taking my case and helping me make my dream come true. Semper Fi” Veteran, USMC
Ferah Ozbek: This was a Veteran who never gave up! It was truly an honor to help this resilient US Marine Corps Veteran who kept moving forward despite his bad paper discharge. Never ever give up, because there is always hope.
The BCNR stated in part:
“I believe that Petitioner’s post-service record is so meritorious that the interests of justice warrant upgrade to a fully honorable characterization of service. Petitioner has demonstrated conclusively that he has fully rehabilitated himself from the immature mistakes of his youth. Most significantly, Petitioner’s combat service in Afghanistan as part of the ARNG…persuaded me that Petitioner should be completely relieved of the stigma associated with his Marine Corps service. He distinguished himself under fire and suffered injuries from this combat service…Besides his meritorious service in the ARNG, he has also proven to be a very productive member of society. Overcoming the stigmatizing effect of his OTH discharge, Petitioner has pulled himself up from the menial jobs that he was limited to in the aftermath of his discharge from the Marine Corps, to first become a public servant as a Corrections Officer…and more recently serve as a social worker assisting veterans and service members. Along the way, he has earned a M.S. degree, raised a family, and has been a valuable member of his community with numerous volunteer endeavors…Given his contributions to the Nation and society since that time, I believe the interests of justice warrant the removal of all residual stigma from his Marine Corps service.”