Docket No: 8422-19 
Ref: Signature Date                 
               
MS 
            
Dear Ms. : 
 
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 23 September 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 Marine Corps on 28 August 1989.  On 14 March 1990, you received non-judicial punishment (NJP) for absence from your appointed place of duty.  At an unidentified time, you discovered that you were pregnant.  As a result, you requested to be discharged from the Marine Corps due to pregnancy.  Although the Board lacked your entire service record, the Board relied on a presumption of regularity that you were notified of the recommendation that you be discharged by reason of pregnancy.  Presumably, after your notification, your commanding officer forwarded your package to the separation authority (SA) recommending separation with an honorable characterization of service due to pregnancy; and the SA approved the recommendation.  On 14 March 1991, you were discharged.   
 
The Board carefully weighed all potentially mitigating factors, such as your desire to change your narrative reason for separation and contention that you would like your narrative reason for separation changed to parenthood in order to receive a Veterans Affairs home loan.  The Board noted that based on the separation authority and separation code on your Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty (DD Form 214), you received the correct narrative reason for separation based on your request to be discharge, and found that the factors presented were not sufficient to warrant changing your narrative reason for separation.  The Board also noted whether you are eligible for a home loan is a matter under the cognizance of the Department of Veteran Affairs (DVA), and you should contact the nearest office of the DVA concerning your right to apply for a home loan.  If you have been denied benefits, you may appeal that denial under procedures established by the DVA.     
 
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 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,