Docket No: 5512-19 
                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. 
 
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 8 July 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, as well as applicable statutes, regulations, and policies. 
 
You enlisted in the Marine Corps on 16 June 1978.  During the period from 27 July 1978 to 17 August 1978, you received two non-judicial punishments (NJP) for two specifications of unauthorized absence (UA) totaling nine days.  On 22 August 1978, you received a psychiatric evaluation from the mental health unit, which stated in part that you were actively seeking a discharge from the Marine Corps due to being very homesick.  You also expressed a history of difficulty coping with people in social settings.  As a result, the mental health unit recommended you for discharge from the Marine Corps.  On 23 August 1978, your company commander (CO) recommended you appear before an Aptitude Board (AB) due to having no desire to finish training.  Based on these facts, your CO recommended you for discharge from the Marine Corps with an honorable discharge by reason of unsuitability due to defective attitude/lacks self-dripline.  On 30 August 1978, the AB recommended you be discharged from the Marine Corps with an honorable discharge by reason of unsuitability due to defective attitude/lacks self-dripline.  However, the discharge authority directed that you be discharged from the Marine Corps with a general (under honorable conditions) characterization of service, and on 1 September 1978, you were so discharged. 
 
The Board carefully weighed all potentially mitigating factors, such as your desire to upgrade your discharge and contention that you were young and immature.  However, the Board concluded that these factors were not sufficient to warrant upgrading your discharge given your CO’s recommendation based on your disrespectfulness, lack of self-discipline, and failure to meet disciplinary standards. 
 
In regard to your contention that you were young and immature, the Board noted that the evidence of record did not show that you were not responsible for your conduct or that you should not be held accountable for your actions. 
 
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,