Docket No: 8768-20 Ref: Signature Date Dear : This is in reference to your application for correction of your naval record pursuant to Section 1552 of Title 10, United States Code. After careful and conscientious consideration of relevant portions of your naval record and your application, the Board for Correction of Naval Records (Board) found the evidence submitted 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 26 February 2021. The names and votes of the panel members 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 the 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, 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). You enlisted in the Navy on 6 September 2011. After serving honorably on active duty, you were discharged with an honorable characterization of service on 5 September 2015 at the completion of your required active service and transferred to the naval reserve. You reported to your naval reserve command as a new affiliate on 2 February 2016 but beginning in August, you repeatedly missed your scheduled drill weekends. Although your record is incomplete in that it does not contain the signed notification documents, it appears that on 14 April 2017, you were notified of pending administrative separation action by reason of unsatisfactory participation in the ready reserve. The CO recommended you receive a general, under honorable conditions (GEN), discharge by reason of unsatisfactory participation in the ready reserve. The separation authority concurred with the CO’s recommendation and directed separation with a GEN characterization of service by reason of unsatisfactory participation. Your record does not contain a Page 13 administrative entry reflecting your discharge but your history of assignments confirms you were discharged from the naval reserve on 15 June 2017. The Board carefully reviewed your application, weighed all potentially mitigating factors, and considered your admission that you made a mistake by discontinuing participation in reserve drill but you “still love my country and my Navy and care for all the sailors in it” which drives your desire to be a Navy chaplain. The Board also considered your contention that the reserves were “nothing like I thought it would be” and that you felt as if you were “no longer a true sailor” but that you were “playing sailor with no satisfaction.” Further, you contend that you were enrolled in a college class that was only offered on Saturdays and, after “accidentally” missing weekend drill the first time, “it did not feel like a big deal” so you “continued to skip.” The Board further considered your contention that after being told you had to find your own reserve billet for “yearly duty” and “after attempting a few times and failing to find somewhere to go,” you became “disillusioned” and your “morale hit rock bottom” so you stopped trying without “realizing that the decision would be detrimental” to your plans to serve in the future as a Navy chaplain. Additionally, the Board considered your post-service activities as mentioned in your statement. However, the Board noted that you did not did not submit advocacy letters or post-service documents in support of your statement or to be considered for clemency purposes. The Board noted the list of references you provided but further noted its administrative role is not as an investigative body and any information you desire to be considered by the Board must be submitted with your request for relief. In the end, even applying liberal consideration, the Board determined there was insufficient evidence of an error or injustice that warrants an upgrade to your characterization of service. The Board carefully considered all potentially mitigating factors to determine whether the interests of justice warrant relief in your case in accordance with the Wilkie Memo. These included, but were not limited to, your desire to upgrade your discharge, remorse for your actions, and your statement regarding your post-service accomplishments. Based upon this review, the Board concluded these potentially mitigating factors were insufficient to warrant relief. Specifically, the Board determined that your unsatisfactory participation outweighed these mitigating factors. Accordingly, given the totality of the circumstances, the Board determined that your request does not merit relief. Additionally, the Board noted the wording of your request for relief and determined clarification would be helpful. You stated “reinstate my discharge from general (under honorable conditions) to the honorable discharge I attained upon completion of my first enlistment.” The Board desired to clarify that you did not “lose” your honorable discharge from active duty but your period of service in the naval reserve is characterized as general, under honorable conditions. You are entitled to have the Board reconsider its decision upon 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,