DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY 

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

Docket No. 7859-16 

Dear , 

This is in reference to your application for correction ofyour naval record pursuant to the 
provisions oftitle 10 of the United States. Code, section 1552. 

Although your application was not filed in a timely manner, the Board found it in the interest of 
justice to waive the statute oflirnitations and consider your application on its merits. A threemember 
panel ofthe Board for Correction ofNaval Records, sitting in executive session, 
considered your application on 3 October 2017. The names and votes of the members of the 
panel 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 this 
Board. Documentary material considered by the Board consisted ofyour application, together 
with all material submitted in support thereof, relevant portions of your naval record and 
applicable statutes, regulations and policies-. 

You enlisted in the Marine Corps and began a period of active duty on 18 November 1986. You 
served for one year three months and fourteen days without disciplinary incident, but during the 
period from 3 March 1988 to 9 March 1989, you received nonjudicial punishment (NJP) on three 
occasions. Your offenses were failing to go to appointed place of duty at the scheduled time, 
intent to defraud, and unauthorized absence. During your third NJP you were reduced to 
On 28 February 1989, you were notified ofpending administrative separation by 
reason of parenthood and convenience of the goverrunent which time you elected to consult with 
counsel and waived your procedural rights to present your case to an administrative discharge 
board (ABD). Your Commanding Officer's comments regarding the reasoning for 
recommending your discharge is because your parental responsibilities were interfering with your 
Marine Corps duties. The discharge authority approved this recommendation and directed your 
separation to be a general under honorable conditions by reason ofconvenience ofthe 
goverrunent due to parenthood. On 5 April 1989, you were discharged. Additionally, character 
of service is based in part on conduct marks assigned on a periodic basis. Your conduct mark 
average was 3.7. A 4.0 conduct mark average was required for a fully honorable discharge. 

After careful and conscientious consideration ofthe entire record, the Board found that the 
evidence submitted was insufficient to establish the existence ofprobable material error or 
injustice. The Board, in its review ofyour record, and application with supporting 
documentation, carefully weighed all potentially mitigating factors, such as your desire to 
upgrade your character of service, your contention that you were encountering parenthood 
hardship, and that some of your separation paperwork indicates your rank as . 

The Board concluded these factors were not sufficient to warrant relief in your case because of 
your misconduct that resulted in three NJPs and failure to attain the required average in conduct 
for a fully honorable discharge. In regards to the discrepancy of your rank on your separation 
documentation, you were notified of separation processing before your reduction in rank. The 
Board concluded there was no error or injustice in your record. Accordingly, your application 
has been denied. 

It is regretted that the circumstances ofyour case are such that favorable action cannot be taken at 
this time. You are entitled to have the Board reconsider its decision upon the submission of new 
and material evidence. New evidence is evidence not previously considered by the Board. In 
this regard, it is important to keep in mind that a presumption ofregularity 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 ofprobable material error or injustice. 

Sincerely, 


Executive Director