Docket No:  8541-19 
Ref: Signature date 
 
 
Dear : 
 
This is in reference to your application of 27 August 2019 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. 
 
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 3 February 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, relevant portions of your naval record, and applicable statutes, regulations, and policies. 
 
Regarding your request for a personal appearance, Board regulations state that personal appearances before the Board are not granted as a right, but only when the Board determines that such an appearance will serve some useful purpose.  In your case, the Board determined that a personal appearance was not necessary and considered your case based on the evidence of record.    
 
You enlisted in the Navy and began a period of active duty on 24 May 2006.  Although your complete administrative separation documentation was not included in your record, based on your DD Form 214, you were discharged 12 June 2007 with a general characterization of service by reason of alcohol rehabilitation failure, assigned a RE-4 reentry code, and separation code of “JPD.”  On 12 March 2014, the Naval Discharge Review Board upgraded your characterization of service to honorable.   
 
The Board carefully weighed all potentially mitigating factors in your case, including your desire to upgrade your reentry code, and assertions you made a terrible mistake when signing the papers for administrative separation.  Additionally, the Board considered your assertions that you would 
be a valuable asset today and have been sober over two years.  Finally, the Board considered your assertion that you made unfortunate mistakes during your service that you wouldn’t have made if you had been sober.  The Board concluded that these factors and assertions were not sufficient to warrant a change to your reentry code given your misconduct, which resulted in administrative separation for alcohol rehabilitation failure.   
 
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.