Docket No: 4671-19 
Ref: Signature Date 
 
 
Dear : 
 
This is in reference to your application 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 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 25 June 2020.  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, together with all material submitted in support thereof, 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 service on 4 September 1973.  You went on a period of unauthorized absence (UA) from 17 July 1975 to 15 May 1979.  You went on a second period of UA from 15 May 1979 to 20 May 1979.  You went on a third period of UA from 8 August 1979 to 3 January 1981.  As a result of the foregoing, you submitted a request for a good of the service (GOS) discharge in lieu of trail by court-martial.  On 10 February 1981, your GOS discharge request was determined to be sufficient in law and fact.  On the same day, the discharge authority approved and directed your GOS discharge request with an other than honorable (OTH) characterization of service.  On 13 February 1981, you were discharged. 
 
The Board carefully weighed all potentially mitigating factors, such as your desire to upgrade your discharge and your contention you were a good Marine with a perfect record until you made a big mistake by committing misconduct.  After careful consideration of your contentions, the Board did not find evidence of an error or injustice that warrants upgrading your characterization of service. 
 
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,