DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY 
BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF NAVAL RECORDS 
701 S. COURTHOUSE ROAD, SUITE 1001 
ARLINGTON, VA 22204-2490 

From:  Chairman, Board for Correction of Naval Records 
To:      Secretary of the Navy   
 
Subj:    REVIEW OF NAVAL RECORD OF    
              
 
Ref:     (a) 10 U.S.C. § 1552 
        
Encl:   (1) DD Form 149 with attachments 
        (2) Case summary 
        (3) Subject's naval record (excerpts)   
 
1.  Pursuant to the provisions of reference (a), Petitioner, a former enlisted member of the Marine Corps, filed enclosure (1) with the Board for Correction of Naval Records (Board) requesting that his service entry date be corrected on his Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty (DD Form 214), and, if appropriate, that his record reflect the Service Medal if appropriate for the period December 1987 to March 1988 
 
2.  The Board, consisting of  reviewed Petitioner's allegations of error and injustice on 4 September 2019 and, pursuant to its regulations, determined that the corrective action indicated below should be taken on the available evidence of record.  Documentary material considered by the Board consisted of the enclosures, relevant portions of Petitioner’s naval records, and applicable statutes, regulations and policies. 
 
3.  The Board, having reviewed all the facts of record pertaining to Petitioner's allegations of error and injustice finds as follows: 
 
     a.  Before applying to this Board, Petitioner exhausted all administrative remedies available under existing law and regulations within the Department of the Navy. 
 
     b.  Although enclosure (1) was not filed in a timely manner, it is in the interest of justice to waive the statute limitation and review the application on its merits. 
 
     c.  Petitioner enlisted in the Marine Corps and began a period of active duty on 4 October 1984.  Petitioner subsequently completed this enlistment with an Honorable characterization of service on 4 January 1988.  Petitioner’s record does not have a DD Form 214 for this period of service.  On 5 January 1988, Petitioner reenlisted in the Marine Corps and subsequently completed this enlistment with an Honorable characterization of service on 8 January 1993. 
 
     d.  Petitioner contends that his DD Form 214 is in error.   
 
CONCLUSION: 
 
Upon review and consideration of all the evidence of record, the Board concludes that Petitioner’s request warrants favorable action.  The Petitioner has an honorable enlistment from  4 October 1984 to 4 January 1988, and his DD 214 should reflect his first honorable enlistment. His DD Form 214, however, only reflects his honorable period of service from 5 January 1988 to 8 January 1993.   
 
In regard to Petitioner’s request for the Service Medal, a review of Petitioner’s available records revealed that Petitioner’s request has not been properly adjudicated by Military Awards Branch (MMMA).  Petitioner has not exhausted his administrative remedies. Making a request to MMMA will afford Petitioner the maximum opportunity to have his request considered.  
 
In view of the foregoing, the Board finds the existence of an error and injustice warranting the following corrective action. 
 
RECOMMENDATION: 
 
That Petitioner's naval record be corrected to reflect his first enlistment from 4 October 1984 to 4 January 1988, with an honorable characterization of service, and that he be issued a new DD Form 214 reflecting this honorable period of service.   
 
That a copy of this Record of Proceedings be filed in Petitioner’s naval record. 
 
That, upon request, the Department of Veterans Affairs be informed that Petitioner’s application was received by the Board on 26 June 2018. 
  
4.  It is certified that a quorum was present at the Board's review and deliberations, and that the foregoing is a true and complete record of the Board's proceedings in the above entitled matter. 
 
5.  Pursuant to the delegation of authority set out in Section 6(e) of the revised Procedures of the Board for Correction of Naval Records (32 Code of Federal Regulation, Section 723.6(e)) and having assured compliance with its provisions, it is hereby announced that the foregoing corrective action, taken under the authority of reference (a), has been approved by the Board on behalf of the Secretary of the Navy.