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

Docket No. 1940-19 
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 relevant portions of your naval record and your application, 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.  
   
A three-member panel of the Board for Correction of Naval Records, sitting in executive session, considered your application on 18 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 and applicable statutes, regulations and policies.  In addition, the Board considered the advisory opinion contained in Chief, Bureau of Medicine and Surgery letter 5400 Ser M1/19UM10044 dated 18 October 2019. 

On 11 May 2013, you were awarded with a Master of Arts in .  On 11 May 2018, you were credited with 2 years of entry grade credit.  On 30 August 2018, you were commissioned as an LTJG/O-2 (Permanent Grade Date of 11 May 2018) in the U.S. Navy with a designator of 2300.  On 14 December 2018, you were awarded your Doctor of    .  

You requested that you were commissioned as an O-3 on 15 September 2018; the Board, in its review of your entire record and application, carefully weighed all potentially mitigating factors, to include your assertions.  However, the Board concluded that DoDI 6000.13 (Accession and Retention Policies, Programs, and Incentives for Military Health Professions Officers (HPOs)) states that the entry grade credit will equal the sum of constructive service credit and prior commissioned service credit for service other than as a commissioned warrant officer up to the maximum credit allowed.  You successfully completed a qualifying degree for Medical Service Corps specialty authorized by the Chief of Naval Operations and were credited with 2 years for your Masters’ degree on 11 May 2018 prior to your commissioning on 30 August 2018.  

Furthermore, OPNAVINST 1120.8A (Appointment of Regular and Reserve Officers in the Medical Service Corps of the Navy) states that credit will not be awarded for qualifying degrees earned while on active duty in a commissioned status.  

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 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, 

5/17/2020