Docket No: 4214-19 
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 that the evidence submitted was insufficient to establish the existence of probable material error or injustice.  Consequently, your application has been denied. 
 
Although your application was not filed in a timely manner, the Board found it in the interest of justice to waive the statute of limitations and consider your application on its merits.  A three-member panel of the Board, sitting in executive session, considered your application on 26 May 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. 
 
You enlisted in the Navy and began a period of active duty on 30 August 1973.  On 16 May 1974, you submitted a written request for discharge for the good of the service (GOS) to avoid trial by court-martial for six specifications of unauthorized absence (UA) totaling 65 days, two specifications of breaking restriction, and failure to obey a lawful order.  Prior to submitting this request, you conferred with a military lawyer, at which time you were advised of your rights and warned of the probable adverse consequences of accepting such a discharge.  Your request was granted and your Commanding Officer (CO) was directed to issue an other than honorable (OTH) discharge for the good of the service.  As a result of this action, you were spared the stigma of a court-martial conviction, as well as the potential penalties of such a punitive discharge.  On 14 June 1974, you were so discharged. 
 
The Board carefully weighed all potentially mitigating factors, such as character letters, newspaper articles, your brother’s birth and death certificates, your criminal record report, your desire to upgrade your discharge, contentions that you went UA because your recruiter told you 
that you would be stationed near home and you asked for a hardship but was denied.  However, the Board found that these factors were not sufficient to warrant relief in your case given your misconduct and request for a GOS discharge in lieu of a trial by court-martial.  Regarding your contentions that you went UA because your recruiter told you that you would be stationed near home and you asked for a hardship but was denied, the Board noted that there is no evidence in your record, and you submitted none, to support your contentions. 
 
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, 
                                                                               
                                                                               
7/6/2020