DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY 

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

Docket No: 2948-17 
JUL 06 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) 10 U.S.C. 654 (Repeal) 
(c) UNSECDEF Memo of20 Sep 11 (Correction ofMilitary 
Records Following Repeal of 10 U.S.C. 654) 
Encl: (1) DD Form 149 with attachments 
(2) Case summary 
(3) Subject's naval record 

1. Pursuant to the provisions ofreference (a), Petitioner, a former enlisted member ofthe Navy, 
filed enclosure (1) with this Board requesting, in effect, that his characterization of service be 
upgraded per references (b) and (c). Implicit in this request is that changes also be made to the 
narrative reason for separation, separation program designator (SPD), reenlistment code, and 
separation authority associated with Petitioner's discharge from the military. Enclosures (2) and 
(3) apply. 

2. Regarding his request for a personal appearance, the Board determined that a personal 
appearance with or without counsel will not materially add to their understanding of the issue(s) 
involved. Therefore, the Board determined that a personal appearance was not necessary and 
considered his case based on the evidence ofrecord. 

3. The Board, consisting of                          reviewed Petitioner's allegations 
of error and injustice on 3 May 2017 and, pursuant to its regulations, determined that the partial 
corrective action indicated below should be taken on the available evidence of record. 
Documentary material considered by the Board consisted ofthe enclosures, naval records, and 
applicable statutes, regulations, and policies. 

4. The Board, having reviewed all the facts of record 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(!) was not filed in a timely manner, itis in the interest ofjustice to 
waive the statute of limitations and review the application on its merits. 

c. Petitioner enlisted in the Navy and began a period of active duty on 9 November 1962. 
During the period from 29 March to 30 May 1963, Petitioner received three nonjudicial 
punishments (NJP) for two periods ofunauthorized absence totaling eight days and failure to 
obey a lawful order. On 24 May 1963, the Petitioner was referred to a psychiatric medical 
officer for a consultation regarding homosexual relationships. During the consultation, 
Petitioner admitted to his involvement in homosexual activity. As a result ofthe foregoing, 
administrative discharge action was initiated. After being afforded all of his procedural rights, it 
was directed that the Petitioner receive a general discharge. He was discharged on 21June1963. 

d. Reference (c) sets forth the Department ofthe Defense's current policies, standards, and 
procedures for correction ofmilitary records following the "don't ask, don't tell" (DADT) repeal 
of 10 U.S.C. 654. It provides service Discharge Review Boards with guidance to grant requests 
to change the characterization of service to "honorable," narrative reason for discharge to 
"secretarial authority," SPD code to "JFF," and reenlistment code to "RE-lJ," when the original 
discharge was based solely on DADT or a similar policy in place prior to enactment of it and 
there are no aggravating factors in the record, such as misconduct. 

CONCLUSION: 

Upon review and consideration of all the evidence of record, and especially in light of references 
(b) and (c), the Board concludes that the Petitioner's request warrants partial relief. 
Although the Board recognizes Petitioner's participation in homosexual activities it concludes 
that based upon the Petitioner's overall record ofmilitary service, misconduct and current 
Department of the Defense policy as established in references (b) and ( c ), that partial relief in the 
form ofhis narrative reason be changed to "Secretarial Authority." 

In view ofthe above, the Board directs the following corrective action. 

RECOMMENDATION: 

Petitioner's naval record be corrected to show that on 21 June 1963, his narrative reason for 
separation was "Secretarial Authority." 

Petitioner be issued a new Certificate ofRelease or Discharge from Active Duty (DD Form 214). 

A copy ofthis report ofproceedings be filed in Petitioner's naval record. 

Upon request, the Department ofVeterans Affairs be informed that Petitioner's application was 
received by the Board on 28 March 2017. 

5. 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 of the Board's proceedings in the above entitled matter. 
Recorder 

6. Pursuant to the delegation ofauthority set out in Section 6( e) of the revised Procedures ofthe 
Board for Correction ofNaval Records (32 Code of Federal 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