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

							SJN
										Docket No: 03450-07 
										20 December 2007

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 11 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 25 April 1989 at age 19. You served without incident for over two years until 18 October 1991 when you were convicted by special court-martial (SPCM) of three specifications of unauthorized absence (tJA) totaling 289 days. You were sentenced to confinement, a forfeiture of pay, a reduction in paygrade, and a bad conduct discharge (BCD). You received the BCD after appellate review was completed.

The Board, in its review of your entire record and application, carefully weighed all potentially mitigating factors, such as your youth and overall record of service. Nevertheless, the Board found that these factors were not sufficient to warrant recharacterization of your discharge given your conviction by SPCM for tJA totaling more than nine months. 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