Docket No: 4037-19 
Ref: Signature Date 
 
From:  Chairman, Board for Correction of Naval Records 
To:      Secretary of the Navy 
 
Subj:   REVIEW OF NAVAL RECORD  
            
 
Ref:    (a) 10 U.S.C. § 1552  
     
Encl:  (1) DD Form 149 with attachments 
   
1.  Pursuant to the provisions of reference (a), Petitioner, a former enlisted Marine, filed enclosure (1) with the Board for Correction of Naval Records (Board) requesting correction to his Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty (DD Form 214) to reflect an upgraded characterization of service.   
 
2.  The Board, consisting of , reviewed Petitioner's allegations of error and injustice on 11 June 2020, and, pursuant to its regulations, determined 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.  Petitioner enlisted in the Marine Corps on 15 August 2016.  On 16 February 2018, he was diagnosed with an adjustment disorder with depressed mood as well as characterological issues that appeared to diminish his occupational, social, and daily functioning.  Subsequently, Petitioner was notified of pending administrative separation by reason of convenience of the government due to a condition, not a disability.  Petitioner waived his procedural rights.  His record is incomplete in that it does not contain the commanding officer’s recommendation, but a review of the record reflects the discharge authority directed Petitioner be separated with a general, under honorable conditions (GEN), characterization of service by reason of convenience of the government due to condition, not a disability.  He was discharged on 24 August 2018.  At the time of discharge, his average PRO/CON marks were 4.1/4.1.   
 
 c.  Petitioner contends his discharge was “due to my mental health rather than due to not being a decent Marine.”  He further contends that other Marines being discharged at the same time for drug abuse also received a GEN discharge.  Petitioner also emphasizes he was “not able to control a mental health condition” and “did not do anything wrong.”   
 
CONCLUSION: 
 
Upon review and consideration of all the evidence of record, the Board concludes that Petitioner’s request warrants relief.   
 
The Board, relying upon the absence of misconduct or noted poor performance and Petitioner’s final PRO/CON marks of 4.1/4.1, determined there is sufficient evidence to warrant an upgrade to Petitioner’s characterization of service.   
 
RECOMMENDATION: 
 
In view of the above, the Board directs the following corrective action: 
 
Petitioner be issued a new DD Form 214 indicating his characterization of service as “honorable.”   
     
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 by the Board on 10 April 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 reference (a), has been approved by the Board on behalf of the Secretary of the Navy.