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

TJR
Docket No: 2371-06
16 March 2007

This is in reference to your application for correction of your naval record pursuant to the provisions of Title 10, 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 13 March 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 3 April 1979 at age 18. You served for a year and six months without disciplinary incident, but on 24 October 1980, you were convicted by summary court-martial (SCM) of absence from your appointed place of duty, disrespect, and disobedience. You were sentenced to confinement at hard labor for 30 days, reduction to paygrade E-1, and a $300 forfeiture of pay.

During the period from 20 May to 19 November 1981 you received nonjudicial punishment (NJP) on two occasions for a two day period of unauthorized absence (UA), failure to go to your appointed place of duty, and destroying government property valued at $80. Also during this period you were placed on medical hold following reconstructive surgery on your left knee. Subsequently, you were placed on limited duty while undergoing treatment for anteromedial rotatory instability of the left knee.

On 28 January 1982 you received NJP for assault and resisting arrest and were awarded a $550 forfeiture of pay. About a month later, treatment for your knee problem was completed and you were directed to return to full duty on 3 March 1982. On 12 March 1982 you received your fourth NJP for failure to go to your appointed place of duty.

Subsequently, you were processed for an administrative separation action by reason of misconduct due to frequent involvement of a discreditable nature with military authorities. The discharge authority directed separation under other than honorable conditions, and on 28 May 1982 you were so discharged.

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 were told that your discharge would be upgraded six months after your separation. It also considered your assertion that your discharge was in error because you were on medical hold and tested positive for cocaine. Nevertheless, the Board concluded these factors were not sufficient to warrant recharacterization of your discharge because of the seriousness of your repetitive misconduct which resulted in four NJPs and a court-martial conviction. Further, the Board noted that the record contains documented evidence which is contrary to your assertion that you were on medical hold at the time of your discharge. Finally, no discharge is upgraded due solely to the passage of time. 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

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