DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY 

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

Docket No: 9384-17 
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 11 February 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 21 August 1972. You served for 
nearly five months without disciplinary incident, but during the period from 17 January 1973 to 
28 June 1973, you received nonjudicial punishment (NJP) on three occasions. Your offenses 
were unauthorized absence (UA) from your unit for periods totaling eight days, failure to go to 
your appointed place of duty and making a false official statement. Subsequently, you were 
notified of pending administrative separation by reason of unsuitability due to financial 
irresponsibility. Your commanding officer recommended discharge under honorable conditions 
by reason of unsuitability. On 1 March 1974, you received NJP for UA from your unit for four 
days and making a false official statement. The discharge authority approved your commanding 
officer’s recommendation and directed separation under honorable conditions by reason of 
unsuitability. While awaiting discharge on 30 April 1974, you once again received NJP for UA 
from your unit for 18 days. On 3 May 1974, you were discharged. 

The Board carefully weighed all potentially mitigating factors including your desire to upgrade 
your characterization to honorable and that you want your full benefits. The Board concluded 
these factors were not sufficient to warrant relief in your case because of your repeated 
misconduct that resulted in five NJPs. The Board noted that you were counseled for numerous 
letters of indebtedness and felt that your record both clearly reflected your willful misconduct 
and demonstrated you were unfit for further service. Finally, there is no provision of law or in 
Navy regulations that allows for recharacterization of service due solely to the passage of time. 
The Board in its review discerned no material error or injustice in the discharge or the 
characterization of service. 

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, 

5/17/2019