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

HD : hd
Docket No. 09600-07
27 January 2008

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 25 January 2008. 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. In addition, the Board considered the advisory opinion furnished by the Navy Personnel Command dated 27 November 2007, a copy of which is attached. The Board also considered your letter dated 25 December 2007 with enclosures.

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. In this connection, the Board substantially concurred with the comments contained in the advisory opinion, noting you did not assert you received no mid-term counseling. 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

Enclosure

DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY
NAVY PERSONNEL COMMAND
					5720 INTEGRITY DRIVE
                                                         MILLINGTON TN 38055-0000	

                                                                                                                              1610
				PERS-311
										27 November 2007

MEMORANDUM FOR THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF NAVAL RECORDS

Via:	PERS/BCNR Coordinator (PERS-3LC2)

En cl:	(1) BCNR File 09600-07 w/Service records

1.	Enclosure (1) is returned. The member requests the removal of his fitness report for the period of 20 October 2002 to 30 September 2003.

2.	Based on our review of the material provided, we find the following:

a.	A review of the member’s headquarters record revealed the report in question to be on file. The member signed the fitness report on 20 April 2004 acknowledging the contents of the report and his right to submit a statement. The member indicated on the report that he intended to make a statement; however, a statement was not submitted.

b.	The fitness report is a Periodic/Regular report. The member alleges that the fitness report was submitted with a forged signature of individual counseled in block 32 and requests that the fitness report be removed. The member indicated in his petition that he requested an Inspector General investigation which the conclusion is not present to support this petition.

c.	The fitness report is a valid report.

d.	Per reference (a), the signature in block 32 verifies blocks 30 and 31 are accurate, but does not necessarily mean that the counseling was considered adequate. If the member believes the counseling was inadequate, the member may submit a statement to the record. The member’s signature in block 46, after reviewing the report, may check the box indicating intention to submit or not to submit a statement, and sign and date all copies. The member’s signature does not imply agreement with the report, but merely certifies that the member has seen the report and understands the right to submit a statement. The member signed this fitness report on 20 April
2004.
e.	Reference (a), Annex S, preserves the rights of all members to submit a statement to the record. The statement must be submitted within 2 years after the report ending date or the member must provided justification acceptable to COMINAVPERSCOM for the delay. The statement and the reporting senior’s one page endorsement upon acceptance will be filed in the member’s official file. If the member is unable to obtain the original reporting senior’s endorsement after reasonable effort, the member may submit the statement directly to PERS-3 11 with a cover letter explaining why the endorsement could not be obtained. Pers-3 11 has never received the member’s statement to the fitness report in question. Should the member desire he may prepare a statement to the record and submit it in accordance with reference (a) and it will be accepted to the member’s official file.

f.	each member under his/her command and determine what material will be included in a fitness report. The contents and grades assigned on a fitness report are at the discretion of the reporting senior.

g.	If the member believed the reporting senior prepared the report for reprisal or in retaliation he could have filed a complaint of wrongful treatment under one of the processes set up for that purpose, e.g. Article 138, Navy Hotline, etc.

h.	The member does not prove the report to be unjust or in error.

3.	We recommend the member’s record remain unchanged.

By Direction

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