DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF NAVAL RECORDS 701 S. COURTHOUSE ROAD, SUITE 1001 ARLINGTON, VA 22204-2490 Docket No: 2252-18 Ref: Signature Date This is in reference to your application for correction of your naval record pursuant to the provisions of 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 the evidence submitted was insufficient to establish the existence of probable material error or injustice. Consequently, your petition has been denied. A three-member panel of the Board, sitting in executive session, considered your application on 9 April 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, and applicable statutes, regulations, and policies. The Board carefully considered your request to remove from your record all Page 13 counseling entries documenting unauthorized absences (UAs) from your place of duty on various days from August to December 2017. The Board also considered your request for reimbursement of 67 days of pay that was docked from your account while on active duty. The Board considered your contention that you were given permission to execute your leave and house-hunting plan, which were reviewed and approved by your unit’s administrative chief and commander, who, you assert, were aware of your whereabouts, as evidenced by your leave and house-hunting plan and approved leave requests. You contend that it was not until two weeks before your retirement date that your commander claimed you were in a UA status since August, and that he attempted to pursue punitive measures. The Board considered your assertion that the only reason you believe nothing was brought up about your absence until shortly before your retirement was to entrap you and jeopardize your retirement and transition plans. You claim that you were in constant communication with your commander, as evidenced by e-mail correspondence. The Board, however, determined that the copies of the e-mails and what appeared to be hand­written logbook entries did not prove your claim that your leave and house-hunting plan were reviewed and approved by your administrative chief and commander, especially considering the Administrative Remarks counseling entries issued by your commander for your periods of UA on various dates between August and December 2017. The Board disagreed with your allegation that your commander waited until two weeks before your retirement date to pursue punitive measures. Instead, the Board determined that your periods of UA came to light at that time, and instead of pursuing punitive measures, your commander merely issued counseling entries to document your periods of UA. Additionally, steps were taken to correct your pay record by deducting the 67 days. The Board thus determined that there is no probable material error or injustice warranting corrective action. It is regretted that the circumstances of your case are such that favorable action cannot be taken at this time. You are entitled to have the Board reconsider its decision upon the 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, 7/18/2019