Docket No. 9062-19  
Ref:  Signature Date  
From: Chairman, Board for Correction of Naval Records  
To:   Secretary of the Navy  


Ref:  (a) Title 10 U.S.C. §1552 
      (b) COMNAVCRUITCOMINST 1130.8K 

Encl: (1) DD Form 149 w/attachments 
      (2) BUPERS 325 email correspondence of 28 Apr 20 
      (3) Subject’s naval record 


1.  Pursuant to the provisions of reference (a) Subject, hereinafter referred to as Petitioner, filed enclosure (1) with this Board requesting, in effect, that the applicable naval record be corrected to have advancement to reset to HM2 E5 upon completion of Hospital Corpsman (HM) “A” School effective March 10, 2014. 

2.  The Board, consisting of , reviewed Petitioner’s allegations of error and injustice on April 30, 2020 and, pursuant to its regulations, determined that the corrective action indicated below should be taken on the available evidence of record.  Documentary material considered by the Board consisted of the enclosures, relevant portions of Petitioner’s naval record, and 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.  On June 24, 2013, Petitioner enlist in Naval Reserve in the pay grade of E-3 of which 4 years considered active duty obligation.  Enlistment guarantees: Awarded NEC 8496 and advanced to HM3 E4 upon completion of HM “A” school. 

c.  On September 3, 2013, Petitioner enters active duty service. 

d.  On March 10, 2014, Petitioner completes HM “A” school and is advance to HM3 E4 this date with a time in rate date of January 1, 2014. 

e.  On June 16, 2017, Petitioner is advanced to HM2 E5 effective this date with a time in rate of January 1, 2017. 

f.  On September 30, 2019, Petitioner’s BCNR application is received. 

g. On October 10, 2019, BUPERS 325 provides an unfavorable advisory opinion of the Petitioner’s BCNR request in which they stated the following.  Per reference (b), in order to be advance to E5 as a Navy Mortician under the Direct Procurement Enlistment Program (DPEP) the Petitioner met the four following requirements; 1) complete a mortuary science course at a school accredited by the American Board of Funeral Service Education, 2) hold a current license to practice as a mortician from one of the 50 states, 3) have no less than four years work experience as a mortician and, 4) performed as a supervising funeral director/mortician for no less than two of the four years.  The fourth requirement time of work experience as a supervisor was not noted in the work experience provided. 

h.  On April 28, 2020, Petitioner provides BCNR examiner with additional documentation that reflects she served in a supervisory position as a mortician from April 2010 to September 2013.  This documentation was forwarded to BUPER 325 for review on the same day. 

i.  In correspondence attached as enclosure (2), the office having cognizance over the subject matter addressed in Petitioner’s application has commented to the effect after reviewing the documentation provided on April 28, 2020, that the request has merit and warrants favorable action. 

CONCLUSION 

Upon review and consideration of all the evidence of record, and especially in light of the contents of enclosure (2), the Board finds the existence of an injustice warranting the following corrective action. The Board concluded the Petitioner met all the requirements stated in reference (b) prior to enlistment effective June 24, 2013. 

RECOMMENDATION 
That Petitioner’s naval record be corrected, where appropriate, to show that: 

Effective March 10, 2014, Petitioner is advanced to “HM2 E5” vice “HM3 E4” with a time in rate date of January 1, 2014 upon completion of the Hospital Corpsman “A” school. 

Remove advancement to HM2 E5 effective June 16, 2017 from the record. 

Note:  Petitioner’s performance evaluations effective on or after advancement date will need to 
be corrected to reflect appropriate grade.  Exception to policy letter with consideration for cycle comparison in regards to advancement to HM1 E6 may need consideration. 

Note:  Defense Finance & Accounting Service (DFAS) will complete an audit of Petitioner’s records to determine if Petitioner is due any back pay and allowances. 
 
A copy of this Report of Proceedings will be filed in Petitioner’s naval record. 

4.  It is certified that 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.