United States v. Roe

15 M.J. 818, 1983 CMR LEXIS 972
CourtU.S. Navy-Marine Corps Court of Military Review
DecidedFebruary 28, 1983
DocketNMCM 82 3466
StatusPublished
Cited by2 cases

This text of 15 M.J. 818 (United States v. Roe) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering U.S. Navy-Marine Corps Court of Military Review primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
United States v. Roe, 15 M.J. 818, 1983 CMR LEXIS 972 (usnmcmilrev 1983).

Opinion

GARVIN, Judge:

Contrary to his plea, at a special court-martial consisting of a judge alone, appellant was found guilty of an unauthorized absence from the Naval Administrative Command, Naval Training Center, San Diego, California commencing 9 November 1978 and terminating on 19 July 1982. He was sentenced to confinement at hard labor for sixty days, forfeiture of $367.00 per month for three months, reduction to pay grade E-l and to be discharged from the U.S. Navy with a bad-conduct discharge. The sentence was approved by the convening and supervisory reviewing authorities.

On appeal, appellant assigns as error that:

THE COURT-MARTIAL BELOW LACKED IN PERSONAM JURISDICTION OVER THE APPELLANT.

Appellant argues that his enlistment was obtained fraudulently; therefore, his status as civilian never changed. We disagree.

The Government presented documentary evidence to sustain its burden on the defense motion to dismiss by establishing by a preponderance of the evidence that the court-martial had the requisite jurisdiction.1 To overcome the Government’s paper case, the accused testified on the motion. He testified that he talked to his recruiter and informed the recruiter that he had a previous juvenile record which included larceny. He also mentioned his “bust” on a marijuana charge. The accused further testified that the recruiter instructed him not to disclose the larceny or marijuana conviction on his application for enlistment. He testified that he was advised to answer, on his enlistment application, that he never used “drugs and stuff like that.” He stated that the recruiter so instructed him in spite of the fact that appellant told him he used marijuana “a few times a week.” He described his use as “moderate”. On cross-examination, the appellant admitted that he [820]*820was not forced or coerced to sign his enlistment contract. He admitted that he did not make the alleged disclosures to any person other than his recruiter. He stated that the recruiter assisted him in completing his application for enlistment. However, he admitted that the recruiter did not force him to answer any particular question in a specific manner. Appellant contends he did not disclose the adverse information to any other person because the recruiter “.. . asked me to keep quiet about it.” R. 14.

On re-direct, the accused stated that he felt he could effect an enlistment in the Navy without disclosure of the adverse information. But, he felt that disclosure would constitute an impediment to obtaining the program he desired. He further indicated that he was unemployed when he applied for enlistment and that he was getting pressure from his family to enter the service.

The prosecution presented the recruiter’s stipulated testimony in rebuttal. The stipulated testimony states that the recruiter was in training at the time of accused’s enlistment. Therefore, all of his work was inspected for completeness by his supervisor. During four years of recruiting duty, the recruiter “... never attempted to enlist anyone who was not qualified.... Because of the number of sailors that I recruited in those years, I cannot remember SA ROE. Additionally, I have never told anyone to answer questions on the enlistment application falsely.” Appellate Exhibit I-J.

A brief discussion of the recruiting process will assist in disposing of the assignment of error. A recruiter is the person who makes the initial contact with a prospective service applicant. The recruiter is tasked with providing the prospect with information on pay, benefits and programs. Once the prospect is convinced that a service obligation is desired, the recruiter assists the prospect in completing an application for enlistment, DD Form 1966 (DD-1966). The recruiter assists the applicant to ensure that complete data is provided on the DD-1966. The data includes personal information which must be verified during enlistment processing. This data consists of the applicant’s name, date of birth, educational achievement, citizenship, prior service, family background, present and prior residences, work experience, foreign travel, and other pertinent information.

The applicant is required to reveal previous unauthorized use of drugs, narcotics or marijuana, dependency status, and all previous involvement with the police or juvenile authorities. Although the applicant is required to certify the truth of the matter contained in the application, the recruiter is tasked with verifying important matters such as birth, age, citizenship, education and previous involvement with juvenile or civil authorities.

Upon completion of the DD-1966, a host of support personnel reverify the information contained within the DD-1966. This DD-1966, Application for Enlistment, is specially designed to provide a quality control system which contains checks and balances to ensure the accuracy of the disclosed information. Once the application is completed, the applicant reports to an Armed Forces Enlistment Processing Center (AFEES)2 where a physical exam and Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) are administered to ensure the applicant is physically, mentally and morally qualified for enlistment. At that time and place, the DD-1966 is reexamined by support personnel for completeness and accuracy. If it is determined that an applicant is fully qualified for enlistment, a classification specialist reviews the DD-1966 and confers with the applicant to discuss program options. When an applicant declares an intent to accept a program for which he/she is qualified, the appropriate enlistment agreement (DD-4) is prepared, which includes appendices that reflect program, geographical, schooling and other guarantees.

[821]*821Before a person is actually enlisted, he or she is subjected to an Entrance National Agency Check/National Agency Check (ENTNAC/NAC) interview. The purpose of that personal, one-on-one interview is to caution the applicant that if any concealed or nondisclosed disqualifying information is discovered, the person will be subject to criminal or administrative sanctions. The applicant is specifically advised to disclose if any person previously told him or her not to reveal information or to lie about any matter during the enlistment process. Military Enlistment Processing Command Regulation 380-1 (MEPCOM 380-1), 18 October 1976.

In the final phase of the enlistment process, before the oath of enlistment is administered, applicants are advised to disclose any false or concealed information. They are briefed on Article 83, Uniform Code of Military Justice, 10 U.S.C. § 883 (Fraudulent enlistment, appointment, or separation.). AR 601-270/AFR 33-7/OP-NAVINST 100.4/MCO P1100.75, paragraph 6-7. The administration of the oath of enlistment and execution of the Enlistment or Reenlistment Agreement — Armed Forces of the United States (DD-4) completes the enlistment process. At page 4 of the DD-4, the following appears: “I have reviewed the information provided by me in my Application For Enlistment-Armed Forces of the United States, DD Form 1966. That information is completely accurate as of this date...” The statement must be signed by the applicant and witnessed by an Armed Forces Representative.

We now turn to a discussion of the facts in this case. The enlistment agreement, DD-4, Appellate Exhibit I-B, contains appellant’s signed certification:

...

Free access — add to your briefcase to read the full text and ask questions with AI

Related

United States v. Rankin
63 M.J. 552 (Navy-Marine Corps Court of Criminal Appeals, 2006)
United States v. Andrews
17 M.J. 717 (U.S. Navy-Marine Corps Court of Military Review, 1983)

Cite This Page — Counsel Stack

Bluebook (online)
15 M.J. 818, 1983 CMR LEXIS 972, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/united-states-v-roe-usnmcmilrev-1983.