DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF NAVAL RECORDS 701 S. COURTHOUSE ROAD, SUITE 1001 ARLINGTON, VA 22204-2490 Docket No: 0379-19 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, sitting in executive session, considered your application on 24 October 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, as well as applicable statutes, regulations, and policies. You enlisted in the Navy on 22 August 2018. On 27 August 2018, after presenting as a self-referral, you were diagnosed with unspecified depressive disorder, adjustment disorder with anxiety, and a personal history of self-harm. Subsequently, you were notified of pending administrative separation action by reason of defective enlistment due to erroneous entry. After you waived your procedural rights, the discharge authority directed that you be discharged with an uncharacterized entry level separation by reason of defective enlistment due to erroneous enlistment. On 14 September 2018, you were discharged and assigned a RE-4 (not recommended for reenlistment) reentry code. Your request for an upgrade to your characterization of service was reviewed in consideration of your contention that you suffered anxiety attacks due to the training environment at Recruit Training. Your request was fully and carefully considered by the Board in light of the Secretary of Defense's 3 September 2014 memorandum, “Supplemental Guidance to Military Boards for Correction of Military/Naval Records Considering Discharge Upgrade Requested by Veterans Claiming Post Traumatic Stress Disorder,” the 25 August 2017 memorandum, “Clarifying Guidance to Military Discharge Review Boards and Boards for Correction of Military/Naval Records Considering Requests by Veterans for Modification of their Discharge Due to Mental Health Conditions, Sexual Assault, or Sexual Harassment,” and the 25 July 2018 memorandum, “Guidance to Military Discharge Review Boards and Boards for Correction of Military/Naval Records Regarding Equity, Injustice, or Clemency Determinations.” As part of the Board’s review, a qualified Navy mental health provider reviewed your request and provided the Board with an AO dated 23 August 2019. The AO noted you experienced significant mental health symptoms upon entering the military and also had a history of mental health concerns prior to military service. The AO noted military service can present unique stressors not experienced in civilian life, and boot camp is one way in which service members are prepared to cope with those stressors. Based on the available evidence, the AO concluded there was no evidence to attribute your assignment of a RE-4 reentry code to an error in diagnosis or history. Further, the AO determined a significant period of demonstrated stable emotional health and successful coping with civilian stressors would be necessary before a favorable recommendation could be made. The AO was provided to you on 27 August 2019, and you were given 30 days in which to submit a response. When you did not provide a response, your case was submitted to the Board for consideration. The Board carefully reviewed your application, weighed all potentially mitigating factors, and considered your contention that you received this code “due to anxiety attacks and separation disorder”. Specifically, you contend the anxiety attacks were not the result of the “lifestyle and hardships of the military” but by the disrespectful treatment of the young recruits which “didn’t settle well with me”. The Board also considered your desire to serve your country in military service again and your statement that you “know in my heart that I have what it takes to be in the military and serve my beautiful country”. The Board, relying upon the AO, determined there was insufficient evidence of an error or injustice in your assignment of a RE-4 reentry code at discharge and noting you did not submit any medical evidence reflecting your current mental health condition, concluded there is insufficient evidence of an error or injustice warranting a change to your assigned RE-4 reentry code. 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, 12/9/2019