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

Docket No. 3221-19 
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.

A three-member panel of the Board for Correction of Naval Records, sitting in executive session, considered your application on 24 June 2019. 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 (AO) contained in Chief of Bureau of Medicine and Surgery letter 5400 M1/19UM10012 of 15 May 2019 and your response to the opinion.

You requested a change to your date of rank (DOR) from 8 May 2015 to 8 May 2013 based on your Masters of Science degree in biology. 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 eliminated constructive credit for advance degrees other than the professional degree for which you were appointed. Implementation occurred immediately and affected all those graduating after 30 December 2015. You graduated in May 2019 and you were granted the maximum constructive service credit for your qualifying degree.  In this connection, the Board substantially concurred with the comments contained in the advisory opinion.

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,