BCNR

Assistant for BCNR Matters

What the Assistant does:  Acts as liaison for Navy Personnel Command (NPC) to the Board for Correction of Naval Records.

Background:  The BCNR was created by Congress in 1947 to provide a method for correction of errors or removal of injustices from current and former Navy and Marine Corps member's records without the necessity for private legislation.

The BCNR is not a branch of NPC.  It is a separate shore activity under the direction and supervision of the Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Manpower and Reserve Affairs.

BCNR Website

Law governs BCNR under 10 U.S.C. Sec 1551-1557.

Helpful Hints for Petitioning BCNR

1.  Download the DD Form 149, print it, fill it out COMPLETELY, and sign it.  You must sign the application as BCNR cannot act on your behalf without your signature authorizing them, through the Privacy Act, to review your record.

2.  Identify the specific error or injustice you feel has been committed, submit sufficient information to permit BCNR to determine whether relief is warranted and include any other information you deem relevant.  If in doubt, include it.  That information could be what ultimately proves that an error or injustice exists.

3.  When you have completed the application,  mail your application directly to BCNR to the appropriate address indicated on DD Form 149.

Don't Ask Don't Tell Discharge Upgrade Info

On Sept. 20, 2011, after Congress repealed the law known as "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," the Department of Defense implemented policy allowing its courageous gay, lesbian and bisexual service members to serve the country they love without hiding who they love and paving the way for the inclusion of all LGBTQ+ troops in our military. 

Though the majority of service members discharged for their sexual orientation during DADT were honorably separated, nearly 2,000 were separated under less than fully honorable conditions.

DOD's Proactive Review of Military Records for Those Affected by DADT Policy

Last September, on the 12th anniversary of the repeal of DADT, the Department announced it would proactively review the records of eligible Service members administratively separated for their sexual orientation during DADT with a less than fully honorable discharge characterization. The review of these records is now complete, and the Department has submitted corrected records to the National Archives and mailed letters advising impacted individuals how to obtain a copy of their new discharge certificate.

Results of the Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell Records Review Initiative:
 
            Cases Considered    Cases Granted Relief      Relief % Granted
Navy     249                        246                               98.8%

Now, as part of the Department of Defense' continuing effort to ensure those former members personnel records appropriately respect their privacy and reflect the honor of their military service, the Secretary of Defense directs the Secretary of the Navy to establish two separate processes for former Service members whose DD Form 214, "Certificate of Release or Discharge," indicates the basis for administrative separation was DADT or a pre-DADT policy. 

Administrative Changes - NPC ACTION:  Process One --Individual Application: 

In accordance with DoD Instruction 1336.01 , "Certificate of Uniformed Service (DD Form 214/5 Series)," and this memorandum, the Secretary of Defense directs the Secretaries of the Military Departments to each establish a process (or processes, as appropriate for each Military Service) for eligible former Service members to request that their DD Form 214's narrative reason for separation be amended to "Secretarial Authority," with the corresponding Separation Program Designator (SPD) code, and that their Reentry (RE) code be modified to something no less than RE-2.

Former Service members will be eligible for these administrative changes if: (1) their most recent DD Form 214 reflects an honorable or entry level/uncharacterized service characterization; and (2) the SPD code or narrative reason on their DD Form 214 indicates that DADT or a pre-DADT policy was a basis for their administrative separation. These administrative changes will not require an application to a Military Department Discharge Review Board (DRB) or to BCNR. Instead, the process will allow former members who believe they meet these criteria to submit a DD Form 149 request either electronically or by mail identifying themselves, and providing their full name, current mailing address, and, if available, a copy of their most recent DD Form 214, to Navy Personnel Command for action.

usn.mid-south.chnavpersmiltn.mbx.npc-dadt@us.navy.mil

Group Inclusion Application - BCNR Action:  Process Two --Farrell Class Action Settlement:

Secretary of Defense directs the Secretary of the Navy to provide Service members separated for their sexual orientation with a less than fully honorable discharge based on DADT or a pre-DADT policy an opportunity to be considered for inclusion in a group application to BCNR for possible relief. This process will not require applicants to obtain a copy of their military records or to fully complete a DD Form 149, "Application for Correction of Military Record Under the Provisions of Title I0, U.S. Code, Section 1552,".  BCNR will require applicants to use this form to submit identifying information and confirm their intent to "opt in."

Former Service members are eligible for consideration for the group application to SECNAV BCNR if: (1) they request consideration using the links provided on this page established under the parameters detailed in the attachment to this memorandum; (2) their most recent DD Form 214 reflects a less than fully honorable service characterization; and (3) the SPD code or narrative reason on their most recent DD Form 214 indicates that DADT or a pre-DADT policy was the basis for their administrative separation.   The SECNAV BCNR process will require former Service members to submit a DD Form 149 with only sections I and 2, sections 5 and 6, completed with signature and dates in blocks 27a and 27b.  To help with tracking / processing your case please include the phrase, “Farrell class action settlement" in block 13.