DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY

BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF NAVAL RECORDS
2 NAVY ANNEX
WASHINGTON DC 20370-5100

 

SIN
Docket No: 05926-11
21 July 2011

From: Chairman, Board for Correction of Naval Records
To: Secretary of the Navy

subj: rl eee

Ref: (a) 10 U.S.C. 1552

Encl: (1) DD Form 149 with attachments
(2) Case Summary
(3) Subject's naval record

1. Pursuant to the provisions of reference fa), Petitioner, a
former enlisted member of the Navy, filed enclosure (1) with this
Board requesting that her RE-4 (not recommended for retention)

reentry code and reason for her discharge (erroneous entry) be
changed.

2. The Board, consisting of Mr. Gattis, Mr. W. Hicks, and

Mr. Mann, reviewed Petitioner's allegations of error and
injustice on 19 July 2011 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, naval
records, 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 ali
administrative remedies available under existing law and
regulations within the Department of the Navy.

b. Enclosure (1) was filed in a timely manner.

c. Petitioner enlisted in the Navy and began a period of .
active duty on 13 December 2010 at age 18. On 45 December 2010,
a recruit mental health evaluation was conducted and determined
that she was psychiatrically hospitalized for suicidal ideation
and gestures prior to joining the Navy. She admitted at the
“Moment of Truth” that-at age of 14, she was hospitalized for a
week after telling her mother that she was going to kill herself,
and revealed that she had two self-inflicted cuts on her arm.

She believed that she was diagnosed as depressed, and was
experiencing significant mood symptoms due to family issues. She
also was seen by a counselor for two months after her
hospitalization. She was found to have a history of inpatient
psychiatric hospitalization that she failed to disclose

prior to entering the service. Subsequently, she was notified of
proposed action for an administrative separation by reason of
erroneous enlistment as evidenced by a mental condition that
existed prior to entry into the naval service. Her commanding
officer directed separation and on 4 January 2011, she was
discharged with an entry level separation. At that time she was
assigned an RE-4 reentry code. She could have been assigned an
RE-8 reentry code, which means that she had a temporary medical
condition.

d. With her application, Petitioner states, in part, that
the situation took place when she was 14 years of age and does
not represent her current state. She submitted a psychiatric
evaluation dated 22 April 2011, from Holistic Optimal Health
Center that states, in part, that at the “Moment of Truth” she
realized that she had not mentioned her suicidal history as she
was depressed during the divorce of her parents. She said she
tried to hurt herself by scratching her hands. She was
emotionally torn between her parents, was a teenager and was
having difficulty in school. She was surprised at the decision
to discharge her from the Navy. She feels that she is meant to
be in the Navy, enjoys the environment, would like to serve, and
has matured significantly since the age of 14. Further, the
report states that she has no evidence of any frustration,
agitation, or restlessness, and denies any suicidal ideation or
plans. The report diagnoses her presently with an adjustment
reaction due to the issue of the divorce of her parents and
anxiety.

CONCLUSION :

Upon review and consideration of all the evidence of record, the
Board concludes that Petitioner's request warrants favorable
action.

The record reflects that Petitioner was properly discharged.
Specifically, she was diagnosed with a medical condition that
existed prior to her entry into the Navy, was processed for
separation by reason of erroneous entry, and was subsequently
separated, The Board found that the incident that occurred at
the age 14 should not be held against her under the
circumstances, and since no inappropriate behavior occurred
during recruit training, she should be allowed the opportunity >
for further service. The Board concludes that the record should
be corrected to show she received an RE-8 reenlistment code,
which is available to recruits assigned to Recruit Training
Command for initial training only, who fail to complete it due to
a temporary medical condition. ,

In view of the above, the Board recommends the following
corrective action.

RECOMMENDATION:

a. That Petitioner's naval record be corrected to show that
on 4 January 2011, she was assigned an RE-8 reentry code vice the
RE-4 reentry code actually issued on that date.

b. That any material or entries inconsistent with or
relating to the Board's recommendation he corrected, removed, or
completely expunged from Petitioner's record and that no such
entries or material be added to the record in the future.

ce. That any material directed to be removed from
Petitioner's naval record be returned to the Board, together with
a copy of this Report of Proceedings, for retention ina
confidential file maintained for such purpose, with no cross
reference being made a part of Petitioner's naval record.

d. That upon request, the Department of Veterans Affairs be

informed that Petitioner’s application was received on
31 May 2011.

4. Pursuant to Section 6{c) of the revised Procedures of the
Board for Correction of Naval Records (32 Code of Federal
Regulations, Section 723.6(c) 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.

ROBERT D. ZSALMAN BRIAN ~\ e
Recorder Acting Recorder
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 Regulation, 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.