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

Docket No. 9534-18                                                 
Ref: Signature Date  

From:  Chairman, Board for Correction of Naval Records  
To:    Secretary of the Navy  

Subj:   REVIEW OF NAVAL RECORD OF 

Ref:    (a) 10 U.S.C. § 1552 Encl:   

Encl:   (1) DD Form 149 w/ attachments 


1.  Pursuant to the reference, Petitioner, a former enlisted member of the Navy, filed enclosure 
(1) with the Board for Correction of Naval Records (Board) requesting that his narrative reason for separation and reenlistment code be changed. 

2.  The Board, consisting of         , reviewed Petitioner’s allegations of error and injustice on 25 September 2019 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 enclosure, relevant portions of Petitioner’s naval records, as well as 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 (1) was not filed in a timely manner, it is in the interest of justice to waive the statute limitation and review the application on its merits.

     c.  Petitioner enlisted in the Navy and began a period of active duty on 12 August 1991.  On 16 August 1994, Petitioner received non-judicial punishment (NJP) for going from his appointed place of duty.  On 19 August 1994, Petitioner was diagnosed with personality disorder of such severity as to interfere with his military performance.  Subsequently, Petitioner was notified of pending administrative action to separate him from the naval service by reason of the diagnosed personality disorder, at which time Petitioner was advised of, and waived, his right to consult with legal counsel.  The discharge authority directed discharge with an honorable characterization of service by reason of personality disorder.  On 5 September 1994, Petitioner was discharged. 

     d.  At the time of his discharge, Petitioner was issued a Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty (DD Form 214) with character of service “Honorable,” separation authority “MILPERSMAN 3620200,” separation code “JFX,” narrative reason for separation “Personality Disorder” and reenlistment code “RE-4.” 

CONCLUSION: 

Upon review and consideration of all the evidence of record, the Board concludes that Petitioner’s request warrants relief.  The Board determined that Petitioner’s DD Form 214 should be changed to remove any reference to a mental health diagnosis and reflect a less stigmatizing reason for separation.  The Board concluded that Petitioner’s request warrants relief in the form of changing his narrative reason for separation and reenlistment code.  Additionally, Petitioner’s separation authority shall be changed on the DD Form 214. 

RECOMMENDATION: 

In view of the foregoing, the Board finds the existence of an error and injustice warranting the following corrective action. 

That Petitioner’s naval record be corrected to show that on 5 September 1994, Petitioner’s narrative reason for separation was “Secretarial Authority,” the SPD code assigned was “JFF,” the reenlistment code was “RE-1J,” and the separation authority was “MILPERSMAN 1910­164.”  The Board also directed that Petitioner be issued a new DD Form 214. 

That a copy of this Record of Proceedings be filed in Petitioner’s naval record. 

That, upon request, the Department of Veterans Affairs be informed that Petitioner’s application was received by the Board on 27 August 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 of the Board’s proceedings in the above entitled matter. 

5.  Pursuant to the delegation of authority set out in Section 6(e) of the revised Procedures of the Board for Correction of Naval Records (32 Code of Federal Regulations, Section 723.6(e)), and having assured compliance with its provisions, it is hereby announced that the foregoing corrective action, taken under the authority of the reference, has been approved by the Board on behalf of the Secretary of the Navy. 

Sincerely, 


10/22/2019