DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY
		BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF NAVAL RECORDS
		2 NAVY ANNEX
		WASHINGTON DC 2O37O~51OO

	JRE
Docket No. 06402-05
                                             10 October	2006

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 f or Correction of Naval Records, sitting in executive session, considered your application on 28 September 2006. 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 served on active duty in the Marine Corps as an enlisted member from 27 May 1997 to 18 February 2000, and as an officer candidate in the Navy from 19 February to 22 June 2000. You were commissioned as an ensign in the Navy on 23 June 2000. You were convicted by special court-martial on 23 October 2001 of wrongful possession of a firearm and ammunition on a military installation. On 24 October 2001, you submitted a request for resignation in lieu of separation processing. Your request was accepted by the Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Manpower and Reserve Affairs on 5 February 2002, and you were separated from the Navy by reason of misconduct on 31 March 2002 with an general discharge.

The Board was not persuaded that you were unfit for further service by reason of physical disability, despite the fact that you were being treated for depression at the time of your discharge, or that the misconduct which resulted in your discharge was caused or significantly mitigated by your depressive disorder. The Board noted that even if you had been unfit for duty at the time in question, you would not have been entitled to disability retirement or separation, because a discharge by reason of misconduct would have precluded disability processing. The Board concluded that your service was appropriately characterized as under honorable conditions in view of your conviction by special court-martial and resignation in lieu of separation processing that could have resulted in a discharge under other than honorable conditions. The Board concluded that it would not be in the interest of justice for it to recommend that your discharge be upgraded to honorable.

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