DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY 
BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF NAVAL RECORDS 
701 S. COURTHOUSE ROAD, SUITE 1001 
ARLINGTON, VA 22204-2490 

Docket No: 840-19 
 
Ref: Signature Date  
From: Chairman, Board for Correction of Naval Records  
To:  Secretary of the Navy  

Ref: (a) 10 U.S.C. § 1552 
     (b) SECNAVINST 1910.4B 

Encl: (1) DD Form 149 w/ attachments 

1. Pursuant to reference (a), Petitioner, a former enlisted member of the Navy, filed the enclosure with the Board for Correction of Naval Records (Board) requesting a change to his naval record.  Specifically, he requests to change his characterization of service from “Uncharacterized” to “Honorable.” He also implied requests that his narrative reason for separation be changed from “Personality Disorder” to “Secretarial Authority,” and separation code be changed from “JFX” to “JFF” on his Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty (DD Form 214).  

2.  The Board consisting of  reviewed Petitioner’s that the partial corrective action indicated below should be taken on the available evidence of record.  Documentary material considered by the Board consisted of the enclosures, naval records, as well as 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. Although the enclosure was not filed in a timely manner, it is in the interest of justice to waive the statute limitation and review the application on its merits. 

c.  Petitioner enlisted in the Navy on 31 October 1996.  On 21 November 1996, Petitioner was referred to the recruit evaluation unit due to not complying with instructions and exhibiting belligerence when given instructions.  On 22 November 1996, Petitioner was diagnosed with an antisocial personality disorder.  As a result, he was recommended for an entry-level separation due to a personality disorder. Subsequently, he was notified of pending administrative action to separate him from the naval service with an uncharacterized entry-level separation due to a personality disorder.  After Petitioner was advised of, and waived, his procedural rights, his commanding officer (CO) recommended an entry-level separation due to a personality disorder.  The discharge authority approved this recommendation and directed an uncharacterized characterization of service by reason of a personality disorder.  On 28 November 1996, he was discharged with an “Uncharacterized” characterization of service, assigned a separation code as “JFX” and a narrative reason for separation as “Personality Disorder.” 

d.  Petitioner contends that he was not given an opportunity to redeem himself and that, although immature at the time, was not given the correct guidance to make a quality decision. 

CONCLUSION: 

Upon review and consideration of all the evidence of record, the Board concludes that Petitioner’s request warrants partial favorable action.  The Board was sympathetic to Petitioner’s medical condition and his desire to upgrade his discharge.  However, the Board concluded that these factors were insufficient to warrant relief given he was notified of his separation processing within 180 days of the beginning of his period of active service.  Applicable regulations authorize an uncharacterized entry-level separation if the processing of an individual’s separation begins within 180 days of the individual’s entry on active service. 
The Board notes that Petitioner, although diagnosed with a personality disorder, deserves clemency and concludes that the narrative reason for separation and separation code should be changed in the best interest of the service.  With that being said, the Board concludes that the narrative reason for separation should be changed to “Secretarial Authority” and the separation code be changed to “JFF.” 

In view of the foregoing, the Board finds the existence of an injustice warranting the following corrective action. 

RECOMMENDATION: 

That Petitioner’s naval record be corrected by changing the narrative reason for separation to “Secretarial Authority” and SPD code to “JFF.” 

That Petitioner be issued a new Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty (DD Form 214). 


That no further changes be made to the record. 
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 on 19 December 2018. 

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 Regulations, 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.