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

Docket No: 6796-19                                                            
Ref: Signature Date 

This letter 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 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 2 March 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 duty on 27 April 1988.  On 20 May 1988, a Medical Board determined you had severe pes planus, especially on the left with abnormal weight bearing on feet, ankle, and knee bilaterally.  Additionally, the Medical Board noted this condition existed prior to your entry on active duty and, had it been known at the time of enlistment, it would have been considered disqualifying for entry.  Because the condition was not eligible for a waiver, the Medical Board recommend administrative separation.  Subsequently, administrative discharge action was initiated, and on 8 July 1988, you were discharged with an uncharacterized entry-level characterization of service. 

You request the Board upgrade your characterization of service to honorable.  You assert that, due to your severe foot problem and ankle injuries, you were not allowed to finish training.  You claim your characterization of service is an error and it should be an honorable discharge.  Lastly, you state that upgrading your discharge is the right thing to do because you attempted to serve your country but were not able. 

The Board found no error in the records.  With regard to your contention, the Board noted that you were notified of your separation process within 180 days of the beginning of your period of active service.  Marine Corps directives authorize an uncharacterized entry-level separation if the processing of a Marine’s separation begins within 180 days of active duty. 

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, 

4/4/2020