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

Docket No: 10202-18                                   
Ref: Signature Date 

This is in reference to your application of 4 October 2019 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 for Correction of Naval Records (Board) found that 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, sitting in executive session, considered your application on 13 November 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, relevant portions of your naval record, and applicable statutes, regulations, and policies. 

You enlisted in the Navy and began a period of active duty on 29 June 1978.  On 10 October 1980, you were convicted by special court-martial (SPCM) of four specifications of unauthorized absence totaling 481 days.  You were awarded as punishment confinement, restriction, forfeiture of pay, and discharge from the naval service with a bad conduct discharge (BCD).  On 18 December 1980, you received non-judicial punishment (NJP) for an unauthorized absence.  After the BCD was approved at all levels of review, you were discharged on 25 January 1982. 

The Board carefully weighed all potentially mitigating factors in your case, including your desire to upgrade your discharge.  The Board considered your contentions that you were an angry teen who grew up without your father who was killed when you were three years old, you never really matured until your mid 20’s, and you has since grown to be a very productive citizen, with no civilian problems whatsoever.. You also note that you have a great respect for our military now and our veterans who have earned our freedom.  The Board has no authority to set aside a court-martial conviction and must limit its review to determining whether the sentence should be modified as a matter of clemency.  Your request was fully and carefully considered by the Board in light of the Secretary of Defense’s 25 July 2018 memorandum, “Guidance to Military Discharge Review boards and Boards for Correction of Military/Naval Records Regarding Equity, Injustice, or Clemency Determinations.” In this regard, the Board considered your contention, but concluded that there was insufficient evidence to warrant clemency given the severity of your misconduct that resulted in a BCD.   

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 the submission of new matters, which will require you to complete and submit a new DD Form 149.  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, 


12/9/2019