Docket No: 0274-20 
Ref:   Signature Date 
 
From:  Chairman, Board for Correction of Naval Records 
To:    Secretary of the Navy 
 
Subj:  REVIEW OF NAVAL RECORD OF FORMER MEMBER ,            USN, 
 
Ref:   (a) 10 U.S.C. § 1552  
     
Encl:  (1) DD Form 149 with attachments 
       (2) Case summary 
   
1.  Pursuant to the provisions of reference (a), Petitioner, a former enlisted sailor, filed enclosure (1) with the Board for Correction of Naval Records (Board) requesting the Board correct his Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty (DD Form 214) to reflect a correction to the spelling of his first name.   
 
2.  The Board, consisting of   , reviewed Petitioner's allegations of error and injustice on 9 October 2020, and, pursuant to its regulations, determined 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 naval service 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 review the application on its merits.   
 
 c.  Petitioner enlisted in the Navy on 16 February 1993 and most recently reenlisted on 11 February 2001.  The name on his Enlistment/Reenlistment Documents during his time of service is .”  On 7 October 2002, he received nonjudicial punishment for wrongful use of marijuana.  Subsequently, Petitioner was notified of pending administrative separation proceedings by reason of misconduct due to drug abuse.  After he waived his procedural rights, the discharge authority directed Petitioner’s discharge by reason of misconduct due to drug abuse with an other than honorable characterization of service.  On 8 November 2002, Petitioner was discharged and issued a DD Form 214 with the name  
   
 d.  Petitioner contends the misspelling of his first name was never corrected but he hopes “the correction can be made with the presentation of the proper credentials.” He submitted a certified copy of his birth certificate and his Social Security card, which both reflect his first name should be correctly spelled ” vice .    
 
CONCLUSION: 
 
Upon review and consideration of all the evidence of record, the Board concludes Petitioner’s request warrants relief.   
 
The Board noted Petitioner’s first name on his certificate of live birth and Social Security card is spelled ”.   Although  is used throughout his military record, even on documents where Petitioner signs his name, and on his DD Form 214, the Board determined it was in the interest of justice to correct the spelling of Petitioner’s first name on his DD Form 214 to read .” 
 
RECOMMENDATION: 
 
In view of the above, the Board directs the following corrective action: 
 
Petitioner be issued a new DD Form 214 indicating his first name as “. 
 
That, upon request, the Department of Veterans Affairs be informed that Petitioner's application was received by the Board on 31 December 2019. 
 
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 reference (a), has been approved by the Board on behalf of the Secretary of the Navy.