From: Chairman, Board for Correction of Naval Records 
To:   Secretary of the Navy   
 
From: Chairman, Board for Correction of Naval Records 
To:   Secretary of the Navy   
 
Subj:    REVIEW OF NAVAL RECORD OF   
             
 
Ref:    (a) 10 U.S.C. §1552 
           (b) USECDEF Memo, “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 with 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 block 24 of his Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty (DD Form 214) be corrected to read as “general (under honorable conditions).”     
 
2.  The Board, consisting of , reviewed Petitioner's allegations of error and injustice on 13 January 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, to include 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 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 and began a period of active duty on 21 June 1982.  On 1 June 1984 and 6 December 1984, Petitioner was issued an Administrative Remarks (Page 13) counseling concerning deficiencies in his performance.  On 4 February 1985 and 26 July 1985, Petitioner received non-judicial punishment (NJP) for two specifications of willful disobedience of a noncommissioned officer and disrespect toward a superior noncommissioned officer.  On 31 July 1985, Petitioner again was issued a Page 13 counseling concerning deficiencies in his performance.  On 22 November 1985 and 13 December 1985, Petitioner received NJP for two periods of unauthorized absence and disobeying a noncommissioned officer.  On 20 June 1986, at the expiration of Petitioner’s active service, he was issued a DD Form 214 that annotated his characterization of service as general.   
 
     d.  Petitioner states that his employer, the United States Postal Service, requires that the wording be changed so they can accept his application to buy back his military time for his retirement.  
 
CONCLUSION: 
 
Upon review and consideration of all the evidence of record, the Board concludes that Petitioner’s request merits relief, given the totality of Petitioner’s circumstances.  Additionally, the Board reviewed Petitioner’s application under the guidance provided in reference (b).  Specifically, the Board considered whether Petitioner’s application was the type that was intended to be covered by this policy.  
 
In light of reference (b) and applying liberal consideration, the Board determined that the record shall be corrected.  The Board concludes Petitioner’s DD Form 214, block 24, shall be changed to read “general (under honorable conditions)” vice “general.”    
 
RECOMMENDATION: 
 
In view of the foregoing, the Board finds the existence of an injustice warranting the following corrective action: 
 
That Petitioner be issued a new DD Form 214 indicating that on 20 June 1986, Petitioner was discharged with a general (under honorable conditions) character of service. 
 
That no further changes be made to Petitioner’s record. 
 
That a copy of this report of proceedings 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 reference (a), has been approved by the Board on behalf of the Secretary of the Navy.