DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY
		BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF NAVAL RECORDS
2 NAVY ANNEX
	WASHINGTON DC 20370-5100

										JRE
										Docket No. 00779-03
										25 August 2003

This is in reference to your application for correction of your naval record pursuant to the provisions of title 10 of the United States Code, section 1552.

A three-member panel of the Board for Correction of Naval Records, sitting in executive session, considered your application on 21 August 2003. Your allegations of error and injustice were reviewed in accordance with administrative regulations and procedures applicable to the proceedings of this Board. Documentary material considered by the Board consisted of your application, together with all material submitted in support thereof, your naval record and applicable statutes, regulations and policies.

After careful and conscientious consideration of the entire record, the Board found that the evidence submitted was insufficient to establish the existence of probable material error or injustice.

The Board found that you were discharged from the Navy on 5 December 2000 by reason of a personality disorder. The Board rejected your unsubstantiated contentions to the effect that you were “framed” by NCIS agents, that you were given a diagnosis of a personality disorder to preclude an insanity defense to charges that had been initiated against you, that the diagnosis which resulted in your discharge was the product of unlawful command influence, and that a psychologist placed false and unsubstantiated information in reports of psychological
             evaluation to support a diagnosis that would warrant your discharge.

The Board was not persuaded that there were any material deficiencies in your discharge processing. It noted that specific counseling was not required in your case, given the psychologist’s assessment of your potential for harming others. It also noted that as you made an agreement to be discharged in return for being granted favorable discharge characterization, your separation would have been constructively valid even if it were to be determined that counseling requirements had not been satisfied or properly waived. Your good post-service record, as well as your demonstrated ability to perform military duty in an excellent manner, as reflected in the proficiency and conduct marks you received during your enlistment in the Marine Corps, and the favorable marks and comments in most of the evaluation reports you received while in the Navy, were considered insufficient to demonstrate that you do not suffer from a personality disorder. The recent determination of a civilian psychologist that “there is no evidence of a mental disorder” was not considered probative of the existence of error or injustice in connection with your discharge from the Navy. In this regard, it noted that there is no indication in the psychologist’s report that he reviewed the reports of psychological evaluation in which you were given a diagnosis of a personality disorder, or that he had detailed knowledge of their contents. In addition, he indicated that his opinion was based in part on information you provided. The Board concluded that your self-reports of the circumstances leading up to your discharge were undoubtedly colored by your desire to present yourself in a favorable light, and to establish that you did not have a personality disorder.

In view of the foregoing, your application has been denied. The names and votes of the members of the panel will be furnished upon request.

It is regretted that the circumstances of your case are such that favorable action cannot be taken. You are entitled to have the Board reconsider its decision upon submission of new and material evidence or other matter not previously considered by the Board. In this regard, it is important to keep in mind that a presumption of regularity attaches to all official records. Consequently, when applying for a correction of an official naval record, the burden is on the applicant to demonstrate the existence of probable material error or injustice.

Sincerely,

W.	DEAN PFEIFFER
Executive Director