DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY 

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


Docket No: 8908-17 
Ref: Signature date 


Dear 
This is in reference to your application for correction of your naval record pursuant to Title 10, 
United States Code, Section 1552. After careful and conscientious consideration of the entire 
record, the Board found the evidence submitted was 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 for Correction of Naval Records, sitting in executive session, 
considered your application on 28 January 2019. 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 of your application, together 
with all material submitted in support thereof, relevant portions of your naval record, as well as 
applicable statutes, regulations and policies. 

You enlisted in the Navy and began a period of active duty on 26 May 1999. Following your 
. On 20 July 2000, you received nonjudicial punishment (NJP) for two 
separate incidents of unauthorized absence of 3 days and 16 days, respectively, and for wrongful 
use of marijuana. The same day you were notified of administrative separation proceedings 
against you on the basis of misconduct due to drug abuse. You waived your right to appear 
before an administrative separation board. On 24 July 2000, Commanding Officer, 
recommending that you be separated on the basis of misconduct; you 
waived your right to appear before an administrative separation board. You were discharged 
from the Marine Corps on 28 August 2000, on the basis of misconduct and received an other 
than honorable characterization of service and a reentry (RE) code of RE-4. 

In your petition to the Board, you request an upgrade to your discharge characterization from 
other than honorable to honorable, a change to your narrative reason for separation, a change to 
your separation code, and a change from RE-4 to RE-1. You state that since your discharge you 
have become a successful member of society. You note holding supervisory roles in your 
professional life, cite your academic successes, and provide character letters in support of your 
application. 

The Board carefully reviewed your application and the accompanying brief you submitted in 
support of your request for correction to your record. The Board took into consideration the 
amount of time that has passed since your discharge and noted your post-service 
accomplishments. The Board also noted your claim of material injustice, and reviewed your 
assertion that you have dedicated yourself to bettering yourself through vocation, academics, and 
giving to your community. Even in consideration of your post-service achievements, the Board 
found that the seriousness of your misconduct of two instances of UA and your wrongful use of a 
controlled substance while in an active duty status warranted your other than honorable 
discharge characterization and the RE-4. Furthermore, the Board found that the NJP findings 
supported your current separation narrative. The Board concluded that your record does not 
reflect an error or an injustice, that your post-service accomplishments do not overcome the 
seriousness of your in-service misconduct, and the information reflected on your Certificate of 
Release or Discharge from Active Duty (DD Form 214) is supported by your actions while on 
active duty. 

It is regretted that the circumstances of your case are such that favorable action cannot be taken. 
You are entitled to have the Board reconsider its decision upon submission of new matters. 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, 

5/14/2019