DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY 

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

SJN 
Docket No: L659I 
8 JUN 1 5 201U 
From: 
To: 
Chairman, Board for Correction of 
Secretary ofthe avy 
aval Records 

Subj: REVIEW OF NAVAL RECORD OF FORMER 

5 U.S.C.552(b)(6)
 
5 U.S.C. 
552(b)(6)
Ref: (a) I 0 U.S.C. § 1552 

Encl: ( 1) DD Form 149 w/enls 

(2) Subject's naval record (excerpts) 
1. Pursuant to the provisions ofreference (a), Petitioner, a former enlisted member of the Navy, 
filed enclosure ( l) with this Board requesting that his characterization ofservice be upgraded to 
honorable. Enclosures ( l) and (2) apply. 
2. The Board, consisting of reviewed Petitioner's 
allegations of error and injustice on 19 March 2018 and, pursuant to its regulations, determined 
5 U.S.C. 552(b)(6) 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, relevant portions of Petitioner's naval records, and applicable statutes. regulations and policies. 

3. 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 of the Navy. 
b. Although enclosure ( I) was not filed in a timely manner, it is in the interest ofjustice to 
waive the statute of limitations and review the application on its merits. 
c. The panel found Petitioner enlisted in the Navy and began a period of active duty on 
8 September 1993. On 10 September 1993, he was briefed on the Navy's policy on drug and 
alcohol abuse. On 24 March 1994, he received nonjudicial punishment (NJP) for wrongful 
possession of an unauthorized identification card. On 1 September 1997, Petitioner reenlisted in 
the Navy for five years. On 25 April 2000, was administered a consent urinalysis after a period 
ofunauthorized absence (UA), which tested positive for cocaine use. On 26 May 2000, he began 
a period of UA that lasted 31 days, ending on 26 June 2000. Subsequently, administrative 
discharge action was initiated and it was recommended that he receive an other than honorable 
(OTH) discharge by reason of misconduct due to drug abuse. After being afforded all of his 
procedural rights, on 24 July 2000. his commanding officer forwarded his case recommending he 
recei\·ed an OTH discharge. He stated, in part. that Petitioner tested positive for cocaine use and 
before administrati\·e processing could begin, he went UA. On 26 July 2000, the separation 
autho1ity directed that he receive and OTH discharge. Petitioner was discharged on I August 
2000. 

CONCLUSION 

Upon review consideration of all the evidence of record the Board concludes that 
Petitioner's request warrants partial favorable action. In this regard, the Board notes that on 

I September 1997, he reenlisted for five years. The Board finds an error in block # 18 of his 
DD 214, in that it does not contain an entry relating to the fact that his service from 8 September 
1993 to 30 August 1997, \vas considered to be honorable. In regards to Petitioner's request to 
have his characterization of service upgrade to honorable, the Board is unwilling to grant such a 
request given his misconduct involving the wrongful use ofcocaine, and the fact that he was 
briefed on the Navy's policy regarding drug and alcohol abuse. 

ln Yiew of the foregoing. the Board recommends the following partial corrective action: 

RECOMMENDATION: 

Petitioner's naval record be corrected to show that in Block # 18 ofhis DD 214, he served 
honorably from 8 September 1993 to 30 August l 997. 

Petitioner be issued a DD Form 215, Correction to DD Form 214 Certificate of Release or 
Discharge from Active Duty. 

o further action be granted. 
A copy of this report ofproceedings be filed in Petitioner's naval record. 

Upon request, the Department of Veterans Affairs be informed that Petitioner's application was 
received by the Board on 13 March 2018. 

4. 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 ofthe Boar:·r,phe above entitled matter. 
Recorder 
5 U.S.C. 552(b)(6)
5. Pursuant to the delegation of authority set out in Section 6(e) ofthe revised Procedures of the 
Board for Correction ofNaval Records (32 Code ofFederal Regulation, Section 723.6(e)) and 

ha\·ing assured compliance with its provisions, it is hereby announced that the foregoing 
corrective action. taken under the authority of reference (a). has been approved by the Board on 
behalf of the Secretary of the lavy. 


Executive Director 

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