Docket No: 1517-21 
Ref: Signature Date 
 
From:  Chairman, Board for Correction of Naval Records 
To:      Secretary of the Navy 
 
Subj:   REVIEW OF NAVAL RECORD OF FORMER MEMBER  XXX-XX- USN 
 
Ref:    (a) 10 U.S.C. 1552 
           (b) SECDEF Memo, “Supplemental Guidance to Military Boards for Correction of   
                 Military/Naval Records Considering Discharge Upgrade Requests by Veterans  
                 Claiming Post Traumatic Stress Disorder,” of 3 September 2014 (Hagel Memo)   
           (c)  PDUSD Memo, “Consideration of Discharge Upgrade Requests Pursuant to         
                 Supplemental Guidance to Military Boards for Correction of Military/Naval Records       
                 by Veterans Claiming PTSD or TBI,” of 24 February 2016 
           (d) USD Memo, “Clarifying Guidance to Military Discharge Review Boards and Boards  
                 and Boards for Correction of Military/Naval Records Considering Requests by 
                 Veterans for Modification of their Discharge Due to Mental Health Conditions, 
                 Sexual Assault, or Sexual Harassment,” of 25 August 2017 (Kurta Memo) 
 (e) USECDEF Memo, “Guidance to Military Discharge Review Boards and Boards for  
   Correction of Military/Naval Records Regarding Equity, Injustice, or Clemency    Determinations,” of 25 July 2018 
     
Encl:  (1) DD Form 149 with attachments 
    (2) Advisory Opinion of 23 July 21 
    (3) Case summary 
     
1.  Pursuant to the provisions of reference (a), Subject, hereinafter referred to as Petitioner, filed enclosure (1) with the Board for Correction of Naval Records (Board), requesting that her naval record be corrected by upgrading the characterization of service on her Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty (DD Form 214) from “other than honorable” to “Honorable”.   
 
2.  The Board consisting of Mr. , Mr.  and Mr.  reviewed Petitioner’s allegations of error and injustice on 30 July 2021 and, pursuant to its regulations, determined the corrective action indicated below should be taken.  Documentary material considered by the Board consisted of Petitioner’s application together with all material submitted in support thereof, relevant portions of Petitioner’s naval record, and applicable statutes, regulations, and policies, to include the 25 August 2017 guidance from the Secretary of Defense regarding requests by Veterans for modification of their discharge due to mental health conditions, sexual assault, or sexual harassment (Kurta Memo), the 3 September 2014 guidance from the Secretary of Defense regarding discharge upgrade requests by Veterans claiming post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) (Hagel Memo), and the 25 July 2018 guidance from the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness regarding equity, injustice or clemency determinations (Wilkie Memo).  Additionally, the Board also considered the advisory opinion (AO) furnished by a qualified mental health provider. 
 
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 enclosure (1) was not filed in a timely manner, it is in the interest of justice to review the application on its merits.   
 
     c. Petitioner enlisted in the U.S. Navy on 5 January 1987.  On 11 May 1987, Petitioner began duty at Naval Station , , for a period of two years.  On 22 December 1988, Petitioner was “Sailor of the Month” for the Air Operations Department.  On 19 April 1989, a turret explosion occurred on the  in which 47 deceased Service members were transported to Petitioner’s base for processing.  Petitioner was responsible for transferring the remains.   
 
     d. On 19 June 1989, Petitioner began duty at Naval Air Station Cecil .  On 7 July 1989, Petitioner tested positive for drugs.  Subsequently, on 25 July 1989, Petitioner received non-judicial punishment for wrongful use of a controlled substance, specifically, marijuana.    
 
     e. On 26 July 1989, Petitioner was notified of pending administrative separation by reason of misconduct due to drug abuse, at which time, she elected not to consult with counsel and waived her right to present her case before an administrative discharge board.    
     f. On 1 August 1989, Petitioner underwent a drug dependency evaluation and the medical officer determined “there was no evidence of drug dependency; however, there may be more abuse patterns than she let on.”   
 
     g. On 6 September 1989, the discharge authority directed Petitioner’s discharge with an other than honorable (OTH) characterization of service due to drug use.   
 
     h. On 21 September 1989, Petitioner was discharged with an OTH characterization of service due to drug use. 
 
     i. In her application, Petitioner contends she continues to have dreams about the dead bodies she had to carry and place in caskets.  She further contends there was no counseling or support for her and she was forced to “suck it up” being with men.  Petitioner states she served honorably and had one incident during her tenure.  
 
     j. Petitioner contends she was diagnosed with PTSD post-service, and her service was honorable according to Veterans Affairs.    
 
     k. As part of the review process, a qualified mental health provider reviewed Petitioner’s assertions and available records, and issued a favorable AO (enclosure 2).  The AO concluded the psychological symptoms and marked behavioral changes are consistent with early PTSD.  Furthermore, the mental health provider opined the preponderance of the indirect evidence indicated Petitioner exhibited behaviors associated with PTSD as a result of her military service, and her in-service misconduct may be attributed to her traumatic experience and early symptoms of PTSD.   
 
CONCLUSION: 
 
Upon review and consideration of all the evidence of record, and especially in light of references (b) through (e), and in concurrence with the AO, the Board concludes Petitioner’s request warrants partial relief.   
 
RECOMMENDATION: 
 
In view of the above, the Board directs the following corrective action: 
 
That Petitioner be issued a Correction to DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty (DD Form 215) indicating the Petitioner’s characterization of service as “general, under honorable” conditions.   
 
No further changes be made to Petitioner’s record. 
 
That a copy of this report of proceedings be filed in Petitioner’s naval record. 
 
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. 

9/2/2021
Executive Director