DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY 

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

Docket No: 8844-16 

Dear 
This is in reference to your application for correction of your 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 of limitations and consider your application on its merits. A threemember 
panel ofthe Board for Correction ofNaval Records, sitting in executive session, 

considered your application on 25 September 2017. The names and votes ofthe members ofthe 
panel will be furnished upon request. Your allegations oferror and injustice were reviewed in 
accordance with administrative regulations and procedures applicable to the proceedings ofthis 

Board. Documentary material considered by the Board consisted ofyour application, together 
with all material submitted in support thereof, relevant portions ofyour naval record and 
applicable statutes, regulations and policies. 

You enlisted in the Marine Corps and began a period ofactive duty on 28 June 1980. On 
12 August 1981, you were convicted by summary court-martial (SCM) ofpossession of 
marijuana onboard a Naval vessel, destroying personal property and larceny of a radio. On 
25 June 1982, you received nonjudicial punishment (NJP) for unauthorized absence (UA) 
totaling four days. You remained on active duty until you received a general discharge on 
10 June 1983

Characterization of service is based in part on conduct marks assigned on a periodic basis. Your conduct average was 2.9. At the time of your service, a conduct average of3.0 was required for a fully honorable characterization of service. 

After careful and conscientious consideration ofthe entire record, the Board found the evidence 
submitted was insufficient to establish the existence ofprobable material error or injustice. 
The Board, in its review ofyour application, carefully weighed all potentially mitigating factors, 
such as your overall record of service, desire to have your discharge upgraded, and you were 
mislead to believe it was the norm "the new Navy, things had changed, I was young." 

The Board found that these factors were not sufficient to warrant recharacterization of your 
discharge given your misconduct which resulted in your SCM conviction, NJP and your failure 
to attain the required average in conduct. Accordingly, your application has been denied. 

It is regretted that the circumstances ofyour case are such that favorable action cannot be taken. 
You are entitled to have the Board reconsider its decision upon submission ofnew and material 
evidence or other matter 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 of probable material error or injustice. 

Sincerely, 

Executive Director