DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY 

BOARD FOR CORRECTION,9F NAVAL RECORDS 
701 S COURTHOUSE ROAD SUITE 1001 
ARLINGTON VA 22204-2490 

Docket No: 2754-16 
MAY 05 2017 

From: Chairman, Board for Correction ofNaval Records 
To: Secretary of the Navy 

Subj: REVIEW NAVAL RECORD OF 

Ref: (a) 10 U.S.C. 1552 
(b) Public Law 111-321 (Don't Ask, Don't Tell Repeal Act of2010) 
(c) UNSECDEF Memo OF 20 Sep 11 (Correction ofMilitary Record following Repeal of 
10 u.s.c. 654) 
Encl: (1) DD Form 149 with attachments 
(2) Case summary 
(3) Subject's naval record (excerpts) 

1. Pursuant to the provisions ofreference (a), Petitioner's daughter, filed enclosure (1) with this 
Board requesting, that her deceased father, "other than honorable" 
(OTH) discharge be changed per references (b) and (c). Implicit in this request is that changes 
also be made, consistent with reference ( c ), to the narrative reason for separation, Separation 
Program Designator (SPD), Reenlistment (RE) Code, and separation authority indicated on 
Petitioner's father's discharge from the military. 

2. The Board reviewed Petitioner's allegations of error and injustice on 12 April 2017 and, 
pursuant to its regulations, determined that the corrective action indicated below should be taken 
on the available evidence ofrecord. Documentary material considered by the Board consisted of 
the enclosures, naval records, and applicable statutes, regulations, and policies. 

3. The Board, having reviewed all the facts ofrecord 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 ofthe Navy. 

b. Although enclosure (1) was not filed in a timely manner, it is in the interest ofjustice to 
waive the statute oflimitations and review the application on its merits. 

c. enlisted in the Marine Corps and began a period ofactive duty on 
2 December 1955. On 4October1957, he made a statement admitting to his participation in 
homosexual conduct. As a result ofthe foregoing, administrative discharge action was initiated. 
being afforded all ofhis procedural rights, it was directed that he receive an other than 
honorable characterization of service by reason of homosexual admission. On 8 November 1957, 
he was discharged. 

d. Reference ( c) sets forth the Department ofDefense's current policies, standards, and 
procedures for correction ofmilitary records following the repeal of"Don't Ask, Don't Tell" 
(DADT) (reference (b )). It provides the Board for Correction ofNaval Records with guidance 
for granting requests to change the characterization of service to "general" or "honorable," 
narrative reason for discharge to "secretarial authority," SPD code to "JFF," and reentry code to 
"RE-IJ," when the original discharge was (1) based solely on DADT or a similar policy that 
preceded DADT, and (2) there are no aggravating factors in the record, such as misconduct. 

CONCLUSION: 

After considering enclosures (1) through (3), overall record ofmilitary service, 
and the law and policy established in references (b) and ( c ), the Board concludes that Petitioner's 
request warrants relief in the form ofchanging her father's characterization ofservice to 
"honorable," the narrative reason for separation to "secretarial authority," SPD code to "JFF", 
reenlistment code to "RE-IJ," and separation authority to "MARCORSEPMAN 6214." 

RECOMMENDATION: 

a. That naval record be corrected to show that on 8 November 1957, his 
characterization ofservice was "honorable," the narrative reason for separation was "secretarial 
authority," the SPD code assigned was "JFF," the reenlistment code was "RE-IJ," and the 
separation authority was "MARCORSEPMAN 6214." 

b. That should be issued the new Certificate ofRelease or Discharge from 
Active Duty (DD Form 214). 

c. That a copy ofthis report ofproceedings be filed in naval record. 

d. That, upon request, the Department ofVeterans Affairs will be informed that Petitioner's 
application was received by the Board on 17 March 2016. 

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 ofthe Board's proceedings in the above entitled matter. 
 
5. Pursuant to the delegation ofauthority set out in Section 6(e) ofthe revised Procedures of 
the Board for Correction ofNaval Records (32 Code ofFederal Regulation, Section 723.6(e)) 
and having assured compliance with its provisions, it is hereby announced that the foregoing 
corrective action, taken under the authority ofreference (a), has been approved by the Board on 
behalf ofthe Secretary ofthe Navy. 

Executive Director 


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