Docket No: 10616-19                                                                            Ref: Signature date 

Dear  
 
This is in reference to your application for correction of your naval record pursuant to Title 10, United States Code, Section 1552. 
 
Your application was not filed in a timely manner.  A three-member panel of the Board, sitting in executive session, considered your application on 17 September 2020.  After careful and conscientious consideration of the entire record, the Board determined it would not be in the interest of justice to excuse your failure to submit your application in a timely manner.   
 
You were discharged from the Navy on 27 November 1963, with a general character of service.  According to your application, you discovered the alleged error or injustice in your record in 1963.  You did not file your application with this Board, however, until 2019, more than 55 years later. 
 
You request that the Board upgrade your characterization of service from general to honorable.  You state that the general discharge was not an error, just not correctly imposed on you.  You state that you proudly served, were young and naïve, did serve honorably other than going absent without leave twice for two weeks, and did not commit any criminal acts.  You contend that you still have never committed a crime.  You also state that you were told that your discharge would upgrade six months after your separation from the Navy.  The Board concluded that your request for consideration is denied due to the length of time since your discharge and lack of evidence to support your contentions. 
 
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, 
1/7/2021
Executive Director