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

Docket No: 7704-20  
Ref: Signature Date  
From:  Chairman, Board for Correction of Naval Records  
To:  Secretary of the Navy  

Subj:    REVIEW OF NAVAL RECORD OF FORMER             XXX-XX 

Ref: (a) 10 U.S.C. §1552 
     (b) USD memo of 25 Jul 2018 “Guidance to Military Discharge Review Boards and Boards for Correction of Military/Naval Records Regarding
         Equity, Injustice, or Clemency Determinations,” of 25 July 2018 

Encl: (1) DD Form 149 w/attachments 
      (2) Case summary 

1. Pursuant to the provisions of reference (a), Subject, hereinafter referred to as Petitioner, filed enclosure (1) with the Board for Correction of Naval Records (Board), requesting that her naval record be corrected by changing the narrative reason for her separation to a reason that does not state that she has a personality disorder.  As described below, the Board recommended granting relief in the form of changing her narrative reason for separation to Secretarial Authority. 

2. The Board, consisting of  reviewed Petitioner’s allegations of error and injustice on 21 June 2021 and, pursuant to its regulations, determined that the corrective action indicated below should be taken.  Documentary material considered by the Board consisted of Petitioner’s application together with all material submitted in support thereof, relevant portions of Petitioner’s naval record, and applicable statutes, regulations, and policies, and reference (b), the 25 July 2018 guidance from the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness regarding equity, injustice, or clemency determinations (Wilkie Memo). 

3. The Board, having reviewed all the facts of record pertaining to the subject former member’s allegations of error and injustice, finds as follows:

     a. Before applying to this Board, the Petitioner exhausted all administrative remedies available under existing law and regulations within the Department of the Navy.

     b. The Petitioner enlisted in the Navy on 30 December 1997. On 12 October 1999, Petitioner received a diagnosis by a Navy mental health professional that she had a personality disorder, and Petitioner was recommended for discharge.  On 19 October 1999, Petitioner was notified that she was being administratively separated due to personality disorder.  On 29 October 1999, 
the Petitioner was discharged due to personality and assigned an honorable characterization of service.  

     c.  In her petition, she contends that at the time of her discharge, her father became terminally ill and she was the only person who could take care of him.  The Petitioner provided a death certificate of her father, who passed away shortly after her discharge. 

CONCLUSION 
Upon review and consideration of all the evidence of record, and in view of reference (b), the Board determined that, with respect to the specific relief that Petitioner requested, the Petitioner is entitled to relief based on clemency factors.  The Board noted that the Petitioner did not assert that her diagnosis that resulted in her discharge was incorrect, nor did she provide any medical evidence to the contrary, nevertheless, the Board observed that the prospect of needing to take care of her father, and having to do so alone, likely caused the Petitioner great emotional distress.  The Board determined that the narrative reason of “personality disorder” may carry an unfortunate stigma.  Accordingly, the Board voted unanimously to change the narrative reason for the Petitioner’s discharge to “secretarial authority” and the corresponding separation code, as set forth in more detail below. 

Based on a careful review of all of the facts presented, the Board concludes that Petitioner is entitled to relief as follows. 

RECOMMENDATION 

In view of the above, the Board directs the following corrective action: 

Petitioner be issued a new Certificate of Release or Discharge (DD Form 214) indicating that the narrative reason and authority for her separation was Secretarial Authority, and separation code was JFF; and 

That no further changes be made to Petitioner’s record. 

A copy of this report of proceedings shall be filed in Petitioner’s naval record. 

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. 

6/23/2021 
Executive Director