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 case on its merits.  A three-member panel of the Board, sitting in executive session, considered your application on 12 September 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 21 August 1974.  Following a tour of duty on the  (LSD-28), you attended the Basic Hospital Corps School (BHCS) in   .  Upon your completion of BHCS, you received the primary and secondary Navy Enlisted Classification (NEC) of “HM-0000.”  Your first duty assignment as a hospital corpsman was at the U.S. Naval Hospital in in December 1976.  You remained in the  stationed at USNH until you were honorably discharged on 22 May 1978 and transferred to the Naval Reserve. 
 
The Board, in its review of the entire record, carefully weighed all the evidence submitted on your behalf, as well as your contentions that included, but were not limited to, that:  (a) in early 1977 you were selected to be trained as a Medevac Corpsman (MC evidenced by your evaluation that verified your performed the duties of a MC, (b) you completed a training program that was not a formal “C” School for Search and Rescue Corpsman at  and (c) after training was completed, you received your flight wings and the title of MC. 
 
However, the Board unanimously determined, even after reviewing the evidence in the light most favorable to you, that you did not complete all of the necessary requirements to receive the NEC for a Navy Search and Rescue Medical Technician (“HM-8401”).  In the Navy, some NECs are earned upon the completion of both a Navy Service School for such NEC and by demonstrating proficiency through on-the-job (OTJ) experience.  The HM-8401 NEC you are requesting requires both a formal service school component and cannot be obtained by OTJ experience alone.  Unfortunately, there is no documentation in your official Navy Occupation/Training and Awards History showing that you completed the necessary HM-8401 NEC training requirements.  The Board sympathized with the facts and circumstances in your case, but determined that you simply did not satisfy the HM-8401 NEC prerequisites.  Accordingly, the Board concluded that your request does not merit relief. 
 
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.