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

Docket No: 7206-18                                     
Ref: Signature Date 

This letter is in reference to your application of 12 August 2018 for correction of your naval record pursuant to Title 10, United States Code, Section 1552.  After careful and conscientious consideration of the entire record, the Board for Correction of Naval Records (Board) found that the evidence submitted was insufficient to establish the existence of probable material error or injustice.  Consequently, your application has been denied. 

Although your application was not filed in a timely manner, the Board found it in the interest of justice to waive the statute of limitations and consider your application on its merits.  A three-member panel of the Board, sitting in executive session, considered your application on 11 September 2019.  The names and votes of the members of the panel will be furnished upon request.  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, relevant portions of your naval record, as well as applicable statutes, regulations, and policies. 

You enlisted in the Marine Corps and began a period of active duty on 3 July 1973.  On 23 April 1975 and 17 February 1976, you received non-judicial punishment (NJP) for dereliction of duty and damaging government property.  On 17 May 1977, you were convicted by special court-martial (SPCM) of two specifications of unauthorized absence totaling 210 days. You were awarded as punishment reduction in rank, forfeiture of pay and a bad conduct discharge (BCD).  After the BCD was approved at all levels of review, you were discharged on 2 September 1980. 

The Board carefully weighed all potentially mitigating factors, such as your desire to upgrade your discharge.  The Board considered your contentions that you are unable to do the job you were trained to do and request an upgrade to apply for security work.  The Board has no authority to set aside a court-martial conviction and must limit its review to determining whether the sentence should be modified as a matter of clemency.  Your request was fully and carefully considered by the Board in light of the Secretary of Defense’s 25 July 2018 memorandum, “Guidance to Military Discharge Review Boards and Boards for Correction of Military/Naval Records Regarding Equity, Injustice, or Clemency Determinations.”  The Board determined that no clemency is warranted in your case.  In this regard, the Board considered your contentions, but concluded that there was insufficient evidence to warrant clemency given the severity of your misconduct that resulted in a BCD.  

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 the submission of new matters, which will require you to complete and submit a new DD Form 149.  New matters are those not previously presented to or 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, 


10/24/2019