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


YTC 
Docket No: 351 1 
JUN 2 5 2018 
From: 
To: 
Chairman, Board for Correction of 
Secretary ofthe Navy 
'aval Records 

Subj: REVIEW OF 1AVAL RECORD OF FORt\lfER 5 U.S.C. 552(b)(6)
5 U.S.C. 552(b)(6)
Ref: (a) 10 U.S.C. 1552 

(b) I0 U.S.C. 654 (Repeal) 
(c) UNSECDEF Memo of20 Sep 11 (Correction of Military Record Following Repeal 
of 10 U.S.C. 654) 
Encl: (I) DD Fon11 149 ) 

(2) Case summary 
I. Pursuant to the pro vi ions ofreference (a) Petitioner, a fom1er enlisted member ofthe 'avy, 
filed enclosure (1) with this Board requesting a change to his narrative reason for separation 
from "Homosexuality -Admission" to "Medical." Enclosure (2) applies. 
2. The Board, consisting of 
5 U.S.C. 552(b)(6)
, reviewed Petitioner's 

allegations of error and injustice on 14 May 2018, and pursuant to its regulations, determined 
that the corrective action indicated below should be taken on the available evidence of record. 
Documentary material considered by the Board consisted of the enclosures. relevant portions of 
his naval service records, and applicable statute , regulations, and policies. 

3. The Board, having reviewed all the facts ofrecord 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 
\ aive the statute oflimitations and review the application on its merits. 
c. Petitioner enlisted in the Navy and began a period of active duty on 7 August 1986. 
Petitioner was discharged on 6 March 1987, on the basis of"Homosexuality-Admission," and 
recei\·ed an honorable characterization of service, a separation (SPD) code of"HRB," separation 
authority of "MILPERSMA 3630400,"and a reenlistment (RE) code of RE-4. 



d. Petitioner's service record indicate that he was absent without authorization from 2 to 17 
February 1987. His record also indicate that on 6 ~larch 1987, he acknowledged that he was 
not eligible for reenlistment due to an admi sion of homosexuality. 
e. Petitioner contend that he was injured on the USS CAPE COD (AD 43). and that he 
should have received a medical discharge. He asks that his narrative reason for separation be 
changed from "Homosexuality -Admission" to "Medical." 
f. Reference (c) sets forth the Department of the Defense's current policies, standards, and 
procedures for correction of military records following the "don't ask, don't tell'" (DADT) repeal 
of I0 U.S.C. 654. It provides service Discharge Reviev-.r Boards \Vith guidance to grant requests 
to change the characterization ofservice to "honorable," narrative reason for discharge to 
"secretarial authority." SPD code to "JFF," and reenlistment code to "RE-IJ," when the original 
discharge was based solely on DADT or a similar policy in place prior to enactment of it and 
there are no aggravating factors in the record, such as misconduct. 
g. The Board considered Petitioner's contention that he is entitled to a medical separation, but 
found that the information in his record and the evidence he submitted in his application do not 
establish that he sustained an inju1") onboard the USS CAPE COD (AD-43) that me1ited a 
medical administrative separation. The Board noted that Petitioner's record supports that 
Petitioner wa discharged on the basis of an admission to homosexuality. The Board detennined 
that applyi11g reference (c) to Petitioner's request is appropriate given that he appears to have 
been separated under the DADT policy guidelines. The Board noted that in light of reference 
(c), Petitioner is entitled to a change to his naiTative separation reason to reflect "Secretarial 
Authority." Furthem1ore. the Board concl uded that pursuant to the current guidance, Petitioner 
is entitled a change to his separation authority, his SPD code and his RE code. 
Conclusion: 

Upon review and consideration .of all the evidence of record. and especially in light of references 

(b) and (c), the Board concludes that Pet itioner's request warrants partial relief. Although 
Petitioner does not appear to be entitled to a medical separation, Petitioner's application falls 
under the purviev 
vv of reference (c). The Board notes Petitioner's overall record of military 
service and current Department of the Defense policy as estab lished in references (b) and (c), and 
finds that Petitioner's DD Form 214 should be changed to reflect an RE code of RE-lJ a 
narrative reason of "Secretarial Authority," a separation authority of ·'MlLP ERSMA 1910164," 
and an SPD code of "JFF." 
In view of the above, the Board directs the following corrective action. 

RECOMMENDATION : 

That Petitioner's naval record be corrected to show that on 6 March 1987, he was issued an 

honorable discharge by reason of "Secretarial Authority," that his SPD code was "JFF," his 

separation authority is "MlLPERSMAN 1910-164," and his RE code is RE-IJ. lt is further 

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Subj: REVIEW OF NAVA L RECORD OF FO RMER 5 U.S.C. 552(b)(6)
5 U.S.C. 552(b)(6)
5 U.S.C. 552(b)(6)
5 U.S.C. 552(b)(6)
directed that he be i ued a new Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty (DD Form 
214). That a copy of this report of proceeding be filed in Petitioner's naval record. 

That. upon request. the Department of Veterans Affair be infonned that Petitioner's application 
was received by the Board on 27 December 2017. 

4. Pursuant to Section 6(c) of the revised Procedure of the Board for Correction of 1aval 
Records (32 Code ofFederal Regulations, Section 723.6(c) it i certified that a quorum was 
present at the Board 's review and deliberation , and that the forego ing i a true and complete 
record of the Board's proceedings in the above entitled matter. 
5 U.S.C. 552(b)(6)
5. Pursuant to the delegation of authority set out in Section 6(e) of the revised Procedure of the 
Board for Correction of Naval Records (32 Code of Federal Regulation, Section 723.6(e)) and 
having assured compliance with it provisions, it is hereby announced that the foregoing 
corrective action. taken under the authority of reference (a), ha been approved by the Board on 
behalf of the Secretary of the !avy. 
Executive Director 

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