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NAVY | BCNR | CY2007 | 03442-07
Original file (03442-07.rtf) Auto-classification: Denied
DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY
BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF NAVAL RECORDS
WASHINGTON DC 2O370~5toO



 SJN
 Docket No: 03442-07
20 December 2007







This is in reference to your application for correction of your naval record pursuant to the provisions of Title 10 of the United States Code, section 1552.
A three-member panel of the Board for Correction of Naval Records, sitting in executive session, considered your application on 11 August 2007. 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, your naval record, and applicable statutes, regulations, and policies.
After careful and conscientious consideration of the entire record, the Board found the evidence submitted was insufficient to establish the existence of probable material error or injustice.
You enlisted in the Marine Corps on 6 July 1972 at age 19. During the period from 15 October 1972 to 30 July 1974 you had three periods of unauthorized absence (UA) totaling 613 days. On 23 October 1974 you submitted a written request for a good of the service discharge in order to avoid trial by court-martial for these T JA periods pursuant to the provisions of Presidential Proclamation #4313 of 16 September 1974. Further, you agreed to serve 24 months alternate service. Prior to submitting this request for discharge, you conferred with a qualified military lawyer, were advised of your rights, and warned of the probable adverse consequences of accepting such a discharge.
Your request for discharge was granted and on 24 October 1974 you received an other than honorable discharge for the good of the service in lieu of trial by court-martial. As a result of this action, you were spared the stigma of a court-martial conviction and the potential penalties of a punitive discharge and confinement at hard labor.

Upon completion of alternate service you were granted a full pardon by the President of the United States and issued a clemency discharge. Presidential Proclamation 4313 provided for voluntary alternative service under the auspices of the Reconciliation Service Program, Selective Service System, for a specified period. Upon completion of the alternative service, former service members would be granted a clemency discharge. This restored civil rights although not veterans’ rights or benefits.
The Board, in its review of your entire record and application, carefully weighed all potentially mitigating factors, such as your youth, overall record of service, and contention that you were underage when you joined the Marine Corps. Nevertheless, the Board concluded these factors were not sufficient to warrant recharacterization of your discharge because of your misconduct that resulted in periods of UA totaling over 20 months, and especially your request for discharge. The Board noted that your discharge was changed to a clemency discharge, and concluded that recharacterization was not warranted. Further, the Board believed that considerable clemency was extended to you when your request for discharge was approved since, by this action, you escaped the possibility of confinement at hard labor and a punitive discharge. The Board also concluded that you received the benefit of your bargain with the Marine Corps when your request for discharge was granted and later pardoned, and should not be permitted to change it now. Accordingly, your application has been denied. The names and votes of the members of the panel will be furnished upon request.
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 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

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