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

Docket No: 3095-19  
Ref:   Signature Date  

From:  Chairman, Board for Correction of Naval Records  
To:    Secretary of the Navy  

Ref:   (a) 10 U.S.C. § 1552 

Encl:  (1) DD Form 149 (NR20190003095) 

1.  Pursuant to the reference, Petitioner, a former enlisted member of the Navy, filed the enclosure with this Board requesting a change to his naval record, specifically, to correct the record to change his Certificate of Honorable Discharge from the Navy Reserve to reflect the 
rank of “AW2” rather than “AW3.” 

2.  The Board, consisting of    , reviewed Petitioner's allegations of error and injustice on 26 May 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 his 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 the enclosure was not filed in a timely manner, it is in the interest of justice to review the application on its merits.  

c.  Petitioner enlisted in the Navy and began a period of active duty service on 25 February 1980.  On 16 January 1983, Petitioner was promoted to the rank of second class petty officer (E-5/AW2). On 24 June 1983, Petitioner was discharged from active duty and issued a Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty (DD Form 214), which reflected his rank of E-5 and his honorable active duty service. 

d.  Petitioner subsequently transitioned into a reserve status and continued drilling as an Navy Reserve Sailor in the rank of second class petty officer (E-5/AW2).  On 18 February 1986, Petitioner separated from the Navy Reserve and received an Honorable Discharge Certificate (DD Form 256N), which reflected the rank of AW3 in both the “Home Address as the Time of Discharge” field and the “Rate” field. 

e.  Petitioner’s available service record reflects that he was an E-5/AW2 at the time of his discharge from the Navy Reserve on 18 February 1986. 

f.  Petitioner requests that his Record of Discharge from the U.S. Navy Reserve, NAVPERS 1070/615, Honorable Discharge Certificate (DD Form 256N) be corrected o reflect the rank of E-5/AW2.

CONCLUSION
 
The Board considered that the available records indicate that Petitioner was promoted to the rank of E-5/AW2 while on active duty, received a DD Form 214 reflecting his rank of E-5, and continued his Naval service in the Reserve as an E-5/AW2 without any indication of disciplinary action against him.  The Board reviewed Petitioner Honorable Discharge Certificate as issued, and found that the rank of AW3 vice AW2 in both the "Home of Address" and the "Rate" fields appear to be in error.
  
The Board concluded that Petitioner’s U.S. NavyReserve, NAVPERS 1070/615, Honorable Discharge Certificate (DD Form 256N) should be corrected to reflect the rank of second class petty officer (E-5/AW2). 

RECOMMENDATION 

In view of the above, the Board directs the following corrective action: 

That Petitioner be issued a new U.S. Navy Reserve, NAVPERS 1070/615, Honorable Discharge Certificate (DD Form 256N) which reflects the rank of AW2 in both the “Home Address as the Time of Discharge” field and the “Rate” field. 

That no further changes be made to the record. 

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 on 14 March 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 the reference, has been approved by the Board on behalf of the Secretary of the Navy.