DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY 
BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF NAVAL RECORDS 
701 S. COURTHOUSE ROAD, SUITE 1001 
ARLINGTON, VA 22204-2490
              
Docket No: 0372-19                                           
Ref: Signature Date 
 
From:  Chairman, Board for Correction of Naval Records  
To:    Secretary of the Navy  

Ref:    (a) 10 U.S.C. § 1552 

Encl:   (1) DD Form 149 with attachments 

1.  Pursuant to the reference, Petitioner, a former enlisted member of the Marine Corps, filed the enclosure with the Board for Correction of Naval Records (Board) requesting that his characterization of service be changed to honorable. 

2.  The Board, consisting of  reviewed Petitioner’s allegations of error and injustice on 15 January 2020 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 enclosure, relevant portions of Petitioner’s naval records, as well as 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 the enclosure 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 27 December 1976.  The record reflects that Petitioner had been treated for the condition of Psuedofolliculitis Barbae since 31 October 1977.  It was determined by a medical officer that all possible ways of alleviating the condition had been tried unsuccessfully.  As a result, Petitioner was notified of pending administrative action to separate him from the naval service for the convenience of the government due to this chronic condition.  Petitioner was advised of, and waived, his procedural rights, including his right to consult with military counsel.  The commanding officer recommended administrative discharge with a general (under honorable conditions) (GEN) characterization of service. The discharge authority approved and directed discharge with  GEN 	characterization of service. On 21 March 1980, Petitioner was so discharged. 

     d.  At the time of his discharge, Petitioner was issued a Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty (DD Form 214) with character of service “General under Honorable Conditions,” separation authority “MARCORSEPMAN PAR 6012.5,” separation code “JFG8,” and narrative reason for separation “Marine Corps Expeditious Program.” 

CONCLUSION: 

Upon review and consideration of all the evidence of record, the Board concludes that Petitioner’s request warrants relief.  The Board determined Petitioner’s DD Form 214 should be changed to reflect that he received an honorable characterization of service.  The Board concluded Petitioner’s request warrants relief in the form of changing his characterization of service. 

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 show that on 21 March 1980, Petitioner’s characterization of service read as “Honorable.”  The Board also directed that Petitioner be issued a new DD Form 214. 

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 4 December 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 Regulations, 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 the reference, has been approved by the Board on behalf of the Secretary of the Navy. 

Sincerely,

1/29/2020