DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY
BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF NAVAL RECORDS
2 NAVY ANNEX
	WASHINGTON DC 20370-5100	
		CRS
Docket No: 1762-06
8 November 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 for Correction of Naval Records, sitting in executive session, considered your application on 8 November 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 reenlisted in the Navy on 6 November 1981 after more than eight years of prior active service. A special court-martial convened on 19 September 1986 and found you guilty of an unauthorized absence of 523 days. The court sentenced you to confinement at hard labor for 75 days, reduction in rate and a bad conduct discharge. You received the bad conduct discharge on 20 October 1987. At that time, you were assigned a reenlistment code of RE-4.

In its review of your application the Board carefully weighed all potentially mitigating factors, such as your personal problems. Nevertheless, the Board concluded that these factors were not sufficient to warrant recharacterization of your discharge or a change in the reason for discharge due to the fact that you were properly and appropriately convicted by court-martial of an unauthorized absence that lasted more than 17 months.

Applicable regulations require the assignment of an RE-4 reenlistment code when an individual receives a bad conduct discharge. Since you have been treated no differently than others in your situation, the Board could not find an error or injustice in the assignment of your reenlistment code.

Accordingly, your application has been denied. The names and votes of the members of the panelwill 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

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