DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY
BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF NAVAL RECORDS

2 

NAVY ANNEX

WASHINGTON DC 20370-5100

ELP
Docket No. 159-99
22 May 1999

Dear

This is in reference to your
naval record pursuant to the
States Code, Section 1552.

application for correction of your
provisions of Title 10, United

A three-member panel of the Board for Correction of Naval
Records, sitting in executive session, considered your
application on 19 May 1999.
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, your naval record and applicable statutes, regulations
and policies

Your allegations of error and

After careful and conscientious consideration of the entire
record, the Board found that the evidence submitted was
insufficient to establish the existence of probable material
error or injustice.

The Board found that you enlisted in the Navy on 10 April 1980
for four years at age 17.
The record reflects that you served
for only six months without incident.
However, during the four
month period from October 1980 to February 1981 you received two
nonjudicial punishments for two periods of unauthorized absence
(UA) totalling 70 days.
On 18 February 1981, you were referred
to the counseling and assistance center for alcohol screening and
were subsequently placed on  

antabuse  therapy.

On 3 April 1981, you were sent to sick call by your division
officer who requested that you be seen by a psychiatrist.
You
reported to a branch clinic on 6 April 1981 with complaints of an
inability to cope and suicidal ideation.
You reported that you
had been UA twice and needed help because the ship was deploying.
The examining doctor found no evidence of organic disease and his

impression was you had an immature personality and depression.
The case was then discussed with a psychiatrist who felt you were
a low risk for suicide and that you should go on the upcoming
cruise.
the cruise.

Further evaluation was recommended upon your return from

"since the recent deployment the

On 4 May 1981, you received your third NJP for absence from your
The medical record indicates that you
appointed place of duty.
returned to the branch clinic on 6 May 1981 for follow up on your
emotional problems related to inability to adapt to the Navy.
The clinical summary stated that
command made every effort to counsel and spend extra time aiding
there has been no basic change in
this man's growth in the USN,
It was noted that
his attitude toward the command or the USN."
you were presently on restriction for UA and were upset even
though it was your own fault.
you persistently stated that you would go UA again rather than
make an upcoming deployment to the Mediterranean.
were no longer expressing suicidal ideation, you were firm in
You were then diagnosed with an immature
avoiding deployment.
personality disorder, passive-aggressive behavior, and frequent
It was opined that you
involvement with military authorities.
were not a good candidate for further service and administrative
separation by reason of convenience of the government was
recommended.

The examining doctor noted that

Although you

On 2 June 1981 you were interviewed by the alcohol rehabilitative
service (ARS) at the request of your command.
history you provided, use of alcohol was believed to be an escape
It was noted that you
for your inability to adjust to the Navy.
were not amenable for treatment.

Based on the

The administrative discharge documentation is not on file

You received a general discharge on 31 August 1981 by reason of
"Burden to Command Due to Substandard Performance or Inability to
Adapt to Military Service"
and were assigned an RE-4 reenlistment
code.
in your record.
Regulations then in effect authorized the discharge of
individuals for convenience of the government who were considered
to be marginal performers because of failure to maintain the
required proficiency in rate,
command caused by their disciplinary infractions, or having
substandard performance adversely affecting unit readiness and
mission accomplishment.
convenience of the government received the type of discharge
warranted by the service record.
Regulations required the
assignment of an RE-4 reenlistment code to individuals discharged
command due to substandard performance or
by reason of
inability to adapt to military service."

Individuals so discharged by reason of

the administrative burden to the

"burden to 

2

on military behavior and

the Board carefully weighed

The minimum average marks required

However, your final military behavior and overall traits

Character of service is based, in part,
overall traits averages which are computed from mar-ks assigned
during periodic evaluations.
for a fully honorable characterization at the time of your
discharge were 3.0 in military behavior and 2.8 in overall
traits.
averages are not on file in the record.
In its review of your application,
all potentially mitigating factors such as your youth and
your bachelor's degree in
immaturity, letters of reference,
theology, ordination as a minister, the various certificates
ci,ting special qualifications you obtained since discharge, and
the fact that it has been nearly 18 years since you were
discharged.
Chaplain Candidate Officer Program,
you will not be accepted unless your discharge is upgraded and
the reenlistment code is changed.
You stated that you
voluntarily accepted a general discharge because of the
difficulties in adjusting to Navy life.
were not advised at the time of discharge of the negative impact
the reenlistment code would have on future endeavors, and that
none of the offenses for which you received NJP warranted an RE-4
reenlistment code.
officer of the local recruiting district has written a letter in
which he recommends approval of your request.

The Board noted that you have applied for the Navy

The Board also noted that the commanding

and that your contention that

You contend that you

NJPs in only 16 months of service.

The Board concluded that the foregoing factors and contentions
were insufficient to warrant recharacterization of your discharge
given your record of three  
The Board was unable to determine your final averages in military
behavior and overall traits averages at the time of discharge.
However, the Board concluded that it was very unlikely that you
would have achieved the required average in military behavior to
warrant a fully honorable discharge given your three  
NJPs and
persistent threats to go UA.
indicates you met the criteria of the regulation for discharge as
a administrative burden to command due to your inability to
adapt.
your life since your discharge and appreciates your desire to
become a Navy chaplain.
However, the criteria for a fully
honorable discharge was established at a level which may be
attained by all individuals.
does not provide a valid basis for recharacterizing service or
changing your reenlistment code which was correctly assigned.
The Board concluded that the discharge and reenlistment code were
proper and no changes were warranted.
application has been denied.
of the panel will be furnished upon request.

The Board noted the achievements and changes you made in

Your desire to be a Navy chaplain

The names and votes of the members

The evidence of record clearly

Accordingly, your

of your case are'such that

It is regretted that the circumstances
You are entitled to have the
favorable action cannot be taken.
Board reconsider its decision upon submission of new and material
evidence or other matter not previously 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,

W. DEAN PFEIFFER
Executive Director