DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF NAVAL RECORDS 701 S. COURTHOUSE ROAD, SUITE 1001 ARLINGTON, VA 22204-2490 Docket No: 1536-19 Ref: Signature Date 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 11 February 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 Marine Corps on 4 April 1968. On 17 October 1968, you went into an unauthorized absence (UA) status. On 18 February 1970, civil authorities in apprehended you. On 19 February 1970, you were returned to military control. On 9 June 1970, you submitted a written request for discharge for the good of the service (GOS) to avoid trial by court-martial for being in a UA status for 472 days and two specifications of making a false official statement. Prior to submitting this request, you conferred with a qualified military lawyer, at which time you were advised of your rights and warned of the probable adverse consequences of accepting such a discharge. Your request was granted and your commanding officer (CO) was directed to separate you with an other than honorable (OTH) characterization of service for the good of the service. As a result of this action, you were spared the stigma of a court-martial conviction, as well as the potential penalties of such a punitive discharge. On 24 June 1970, you were discharged. The Board carefully weighed all potentially mitigating factors, such as your desire to upgrade your discharge and contention that you were injured in a car accident and still under your doctor’s care when you joined the Marine Corps. The Board also noted your contentions that you went to the military doctor and were told nothing was wrong with you, the military gave you a plane ticket to go home to get medical attention, and you had no idea you were in a UA status until arrested. The Board noted that there is no evidence in your record, and you submitted none, to support your contentions. The Board also noted that you requested a GOS discharge to avoid trial by court-martial and were warned of the probable adverse consequences of accepting such a discharge. The Board concluded that these factors were not sufficient to warrant relief in your case given your request for a GOS discharge in lieu of a trial by court-martial. The Board discerned no probable material error or injustice in your discharge. 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, 3/25/2020