Docket No: 8788-19 
Ref: Signature Date 
 
Dear   
 
This letter 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 that the evidence submitted was insufficient to establish the existence of probable material error or injustice.  Consequently, your application has been denied.     
 
A three-member panel of the Board, sitting in executive session, considered your application on 17 November 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, as well as the 13 September 2019 advisory opinion (AO) furnished by the Marine Corps Performance Evaluation Review Board (PERB).  The AO was provided to you on 13 September 2019, and you were given 30 days in which to submit a response.  When you did not provide a response, your case was submitted to the Board for consideration.  
 
The Board carefully considered your request to modify your fitness report for the reporting period 26 July 2017 to 17 March 2018 by changing section K (Reviewing Officer Comments) to be not observed.  The Board considered your contentions that your reviewing officer (RO) did not actually observe your performance because you were geographically separated and the RO/Marine Reported On (MRO) relationship was never established.  You also contend that your RO failed in his responsibilities, specifically, based upon your comparative assessment mark your RO should have non-concurred with your reporting senior’s (RS’s) evaluation and your report was submitted within 31 days instead of 30 days.  
 
The Board, however, substantially concurred with the AO that your fitness report is valid and should be retained as filed.  In this regard, the Board noted that the Marine Corps Performance Evaluation System (PES) Manual does not provide ROs with hard guidelines on what constitutes sufficient knowledge and observation.  The Board determined that your RO acted within his discretionary authority to observe your report and reporting officials are not required to be co-located for observation to occur.  The Board also determined that late submission does not invalidate your fitness report.  Moreover, the Board found no evidence that you rated a higher comparative assessment mark than you received and you provided none.  The Board thus concluded that there is no probable material error or injustice warranting corrective action.  
 
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,