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

Docket No: 1135-20 
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.  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 application has been denied.
 
Although your application was not filed in a timely manner, the Board found it in the interest of justice to waive the statute of limitations and consider your application on its merits.  A three-member panel of the Board, sitting in executive session, considered your application on 19 May 2020.  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, as well as applicable statutes, regulations, and policies.
 
You enlisted in the Navy and began a period of active duty on 17 December 1984. On 3 April 1995, you requested a hardship discharge due to not being accepted for officer training and the subsequent loss of expected revenue putting an enormous amount of stress on your wife and children. On 20 May 1985, your command informed you that they understood your concern for your family; however, your request was based on personal convenience and did not meet the parameters for a hardship discharge.  On 24 June 1985, you began a period of unauthorized absence (UA) that continued until you surrendered on 1 July 1985.  On 3 July 1985, you were notified of the initiation of administrative separation proceedings.  After being afforded all of your procedural rights, you waived them, and your case was forwarded to the separation authority for review.  Your commanding officer (CO) recommended separation in the best interest of the service as you entered the Navy with the intention of becoming an officer but did not qualify.  Additionally, your long-term financial difficulty and your family’s health and personal problems contributed to your inability to cope with military life.  Your CO recommended characterization as warranted by your service record.  On 13 August 1985, you were discharged with a general (under honorable conditions) characterization of service, a separation code “JFF,” a reentry code “RE-4,” and a narrative reason for separation “Secretarial PlenaryAuthority, Best Interest of the Service.” On 3 January 1986, the Naval Discharge Review Board (NDRB) determined that the characterization of your service should be honorable. 

You request the Board change your DD Form 214, Block 28, narrative reason for separation.  You assert that you are presently applying to refinance your home, and your narrative reason for separation “Secretary Plenary Authority, Best interest of the service” excludes your eligibility. You claim that in November 1984, you applied to be a commissioned officer, but, before officer training commenced, you received a phone call from a recruiter who suggested you go to initial basic training. He told you that you would be“pulled out” of basic training in order to attend officer training.  You completed basic training and electronics training in .  You state you requested to speak to the base commander and were unable to speak with him directly, but spoke with a master sergeant who did not offer a solution.  You claim you fulfilled your part of the agreement, but the Navy did not.  In support of your petition, you attached correspondence regarding your VA eligibility requests and status, and a letter of recommendation.  

The Board carefully weighed all potentially mitigating factors, such as your record of service and contentions and found no error or injustice in your discharge as amended by NDRB. 

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,