Docket No: 10925-19 
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:  (1) DD Form 149 (NR20190010925) 
    (2) Case summary 
    (3) DD Form 214 
    (4) Enlistment Contract 
    (5) Commanding Officer,, , , “Notification of Separation Proceedings,” ltr 1900 AdSeps, 
                dtd 15 Jan 02 
    (6) Acknowledgement of Rights 
 
1.  Pursuant to the provisions of reference (a), Petitioner, a former enlisted member of the Marine Corps, filed enclosure (1) with the Board for Correction of Naval Records (Board) requesting a change to her characterization of service from “Uncharacterized” to “Honorable.”  Enclosure (2) applies. 
 
2.  The Board, consisting of , reviewed Petitioner's allegations of error and injustice on 28 September 2020, 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 her naval service 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 (1) was not filed in a timely manner, it is in the interest of justice to waive the statute of limitations and review the application on its merits. 
 
    c.  Petitioner enlisted in the Marine Corps and began a period of active duty service on 10 September 2001.  Enclosures (3)-(4).  On 15 January 2002, Petitioner was notified by her Commanding Officer, Headquarters and Support Battalion,  , that an entry level performance and conduct separation was being initiated against her due to her failure to adapt to the Marine Corps.  Enclosure 5.  Petitioner acknowledged her rights on 15 January 2002.  Enclosure (6).  
 
    d.  Petitioner was discharged from the Marine Corps on 25 March 2002, on the basis of a “Condition Not a Disability” under the Separation Authority of “MARCORSEPMAN paragraph 6203.2, and received an Uncharacterized discharge, a Separation Code of JFV1, and reentry (RE) code of RE-4.  Enclosure (3). 
 
    e.  Petitioner requests a change to her Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty (DD Form 214) to reflect an honorable characterization of service rather than an uncharacterized discharge. 
 
    f.  MARCORSEPMAN 1900.16 series, paragraph 1002 states that a Marine qualifies for an entry-level separation during the first 180 days of continuous active military service.  MARCORSEPMAN 1900.16 series, paragraph 1004 states that an uncharacterized description shall be used when a separation is initiated while a Marine is in entry level status. 
 
CONCLUSION: 
 
The Board considered Petitioner’s request for a change to her Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty (DD Form 214) and noted that Petitioner was notified of administrative separation proceedings being initiated on 15 January 2002, within her 180-day period in an entry level status.  Although Petitioner’s discharge was executed 6 months and 16 days after her start of active duty on 10 September 2001, the Board found that the separation was initiated while she was in an entry level status.  Accordingly, the Board determined Petitioner is not entitled to an upgrade to her discharge characterization to reflect an honorable discharge rather than an uncharacterized separation.   
 
The Board noted that Petitioner’s Separation Authority of MARCORSEPMAN paragraph 6203.2 correlates with a reference to a “Condition Not a Disability,” and that both her Separation Code and Narrative Reason for Separation reference a condition not a disability.  To preclude reference to potentially sensitive health or personal information, the Board determined that as a matter of justice, Petitioner is entitled to a change in her Separation Authority, Separation Code, and Narrative Reason for Separation to remove reference to a “Condition Not a Disability.”   The Board found that Petitioner is entitled to a change to her Separation Authority, her Separation Code, and her Narrative Reason for Separation to reflect “Secretarial Authority.”  The Board concluded that Petitioner’s request warrants partial corrective action to include that Petitioner’s DD Form 214 should be changed to reflect a narrative reason for separation of “Secretarial Authority,” a Separation Authority of “MARCORSEPMAN PAR 6421, and a Separation Code of “JFF.”  The Board concluded that no further corrective action is warranted. 
 
In view of the above, the Board directs the following corrective action. 
 
 
RECOMMENDATION: 
 
That Petitioner’s naval record be corrected to show that on 25 March 2002, Petitioner was issued an Entry Level Separation by reason of “Secretarial Authority,” that her Separation Code is “JFF,” and her Separation Authority is “MARCORSEPMAN PAR 6421.” 
 
That Petitioner be issued a new DD Form 214.   
 
That a copy of this report 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 19 November 2019. 
 
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 Regulation, 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 reference (a), has been approved by the Board on behalf of the Secretary of the Navy.