Docket No: 4486-19 
Ref: Signature Date 

This letter 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. 

A three-member panel of the Board, sitting in executive session, considered your application on 12 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, as well as the enclosed 10 April 2019 advisory opinion (AO) furnished by the Marine Corps Performance Evaluation Review Board (PERB).  The AO was provided to you on 10 April 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 considered your request to remove or modify your fitness report for the reporting period 1 January 2018 to 15 August 2018.  The Board considered your contention that the Section I comment, “The continued development of his decision-making abilities and judgment in challenging, stressful situations will facilitate his success in future assignments” is a violation of Marine Corps Order (MCO) 1610.7A, the Marine Corps Performance Evaluation System (PES) Manual.  You claim that the sentence serves no constructive purpose, fosters a zero defect mentality, is a counseling statement, and is not germane to the overall evaluation. 

The Board, however, substantially concurred with the AO that your fitness report is valid and should be retained as filed.  In this regard, the Board noted Section I of your fitness report and found no evidence that the sentence is a counseling statement.  The Board determined that the sentence is not negative and does not violated the PES Manual.  The Board thus concluded that there is no probable material error or injustice warranting corrective action. 

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.