Docket No: 1572-21 
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 17 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 and began a period of active duty on 1 September 1977.  You subsequently completed this enlistment on 21 May 1981 with an honorable characterization of service and reenlisted on 22 May 1981.  During the period from 27 May 1982 to 10 March 1983, you received three instances of non-judicial punishment (NJP).  Your offenses were two periods of unauthorized absence totaling 15 days, failure to obey an order from a senior non-commissioned officer and wrongfully consuming alcohol while on duty. 
 
Subsequently, you were notified that you were being recommended for administrative separation from the naval service by reason of misconduct due to pattern of misconduct.  The notification advised that if separation was approved, the least favorable description of service authorized in your case would be under other than honorable (OTH) conditions.  You were advised of, and waived your procedural rights, including your right to consult with and be represented by military counsel, and your right to present your case to an administrative discharge board (ADB).  

Your commanding officer (CO) then forwarded your administrative separation package to the separation authority (SA) recommending administrative discharge from the naval service with an OTH characterization of service.  The SA approved the discharge recommendation and directed that you be separated from the naval service with an OTH characterization of service.  On 15 April 1983, you were so discharged. 
 
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 and your contentions that: (a) you have learned and grown since your discharge; (b) you are a recovering alcoholic, and have been sober for 15 years; (c) when you served, you were very immature, lonely, and did not have many friends; (d) the loneliness led to your alcoholism, and your alcoholism led to debt and some other unsavory situations; (e) alcoholism has ruined the first half of your life; you became a person that you did not recognize and you did things that you normally would not do; and (f) your second enlistment was marred by his alcoholism; however, you do not feel like issues that arose during this enlistment should characterize your second enlistment.   
 
Based upon this review, the Board concluded these potentially mitigating factors were insufficient to warrant relief.  Specifically, the Board determined that your misconduct, as evidenced by three NJPs, outweighed these mitigating factors.  Accordingly, given the totality of the circumstances, the Board determined that your request does not merit relief. 
 
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, 
5/5/2021
Executive Director