DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY
BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF NAVAL RECORDS
2 NAVY ANNEX
WASHINGTON DC 2O37O-5100

TJR
										Docket No: 1155-07 
										5 December 2007

This is in reference to your application for Correction of your naval record pursuant to the provisions of Title 10, United Statso Code, Section It52

A three-rnember panel of the Board for  Correction of Naval Records, sitting in executive session, considered your application con 4 December 2007. 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 the evidence submitted was insufficient to establish the existence of probable material error or injustice.

You enlisted in the Marine Corps on 30 July 1973 at age 17. About five months later, on 2 December 1973, you began a period of unauthorized absence (UA) that was not terminated until you were apprehended by civil authorities on 30 October 1974. As a result, on 25 November 1974, you submitted a written request for an undesirable discharge in order to avoid trial by court-martial for the foregoing period of (UA) totalling 333 days. Prior to submitting this request for discharge, you conferred with a qualified military lawyer, were advised of your rights, and warned of the probable adverse consequences of accepting such a discharge. Subsequently, your request for discharge was granted, and on 20 December 1974 you received an undesirable discharge in lieu of trial by court-martial. As a result, you were spared the stigma of a court—martial conviction and the potential penalties of a punitive discharge and confinement at hard labor.

The Board, in its review of your entire record and application, carefully weighed all potentially mitigating factors, such as your youth and assertion that you did not receive the education or experience you were promised when you enlisted. it also considered your desire to upgrade your discharge so that you may obtain medical benefits. Nevertheless, the Board concluded these factors were not sufficient to warrant recharacterization of your discharge because of the seriousness of your lengthy period of UA, which also resulted in your request for discharge. The Board believed that considerable clemency was extended to you when your request for discharge was approved since, by this action, you escaped the possibility of confinement at hard labor and a punitive discharge. The Board also concluded that you received the benefit of your bargain with the Marine Corps when your request for discharge was granted and should not be permitted to change it now. Finally, there is no evidence in the record, and you submitted none, to support your assertion. Accordingly, 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