RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:				DOCKET NUMBER:  BC-2012-05184

								COUNSEL: NONE

								HEARING DESIRED:  NO

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APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: 

His name be corrected to reflect his name as and he be issued a DD Form 215.

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APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

He applied to the Veteran’s Affairs (VA) medical center and was 
denied because the name on his DD Form 214, Armed Forces of the 
United States Report of Transfer or Discharge, does not match 
his name as it is now.  He legally changed his name while he was 
in the service.

In support of his appeal, the applicant submits his birth 
certificate and his social security card.

The applicant’s complete submission, with attachments, is at 
Exhibit A.

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STATEMENT OF FACTS:

The applicant is a former member of the Air Force who served 
from 20 August 1965 through 15 January 1969.  His DD Form 214 
does not reflect the name stated in his request.

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AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

AFPC/DPSIRP recommends denial.  AFI 36-2608, Military Personnel 
Records System, allows the Air Force to make changes on prior 
service personnel if the data in question was recorded in error.  
The veteran did not include the appropriate legal documentation 
to support his request.  

A letter was sent to the applicant on 17 December 2012, 
requesting that he forward the original or a certified copy of 
the legal document that changed his name for consideration in 
deciding the outcome of his request.  As of the date of the 
advisory, that information had not been received.  

In the absence of supporting documentation, there is no proof 
the data was recorded in error or that the name change was made 
prior to the veteran’s discharge.  With no supporting 
documentation, and because the applicant has no continuing 
affiliation with the Air Force as a Reserve member or retiree, 
his record cannot be amended.  

The complete DPSIRP evaluation is at Exhibit C.

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APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

In response, he states that his mother changed his name soon 
after he was born.  He was called Joseph since the first grade.  
He spent 11 years in the North Carolina National Guard and his 
name was listed as requested.  He now seeks help from the VA and 
they will not assist him until his name is corrected on his 
DD Form 214. 

The applicant’s complete response, with attachments, is at 
Exhibit E.

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THE BOARD CONCLUDES THAT:

1.  The applicant has exhausted all remedies provided by 
existing law or regulations.

2.  The application was timely filed.

3.  Insufficient relevant evidence has been presented to 
demonstrate the existence of error or injustice.  After a 
thorough review of the evidence provided, we are not persuaded 
that his name as currently reflected in his military records is 
incorrectly recorded.  Therefore, we agree with the opinion and 
recommendation of the Air Force office of primary responsibility 
and adopt its rationale as the basis for our conclusion that the 
applicant has not been the victim of an error or injustice.  In 
the absence of evidence to the contrary, we find no basis to 
recommend granting the relief sought in this application.  
However, we advise the applicant submit to the VA a certified 
copy of the legal document that identifies his name change for 
their review and consideration.  

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THE BOARD DETERMINES THAT:

The applicant be notified that the evidence presented did not 
demonstrate the existence of material error or injustice; that 
the application was denied without a personal appearance; and 
that the application will only be reconsidered upon the 
submission of newly discovered relevant evidence not considered 
with this application.

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The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket 
Number BC-2012-05184 in Executive Session on 22 August 2013, 
under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:


The following documentary evidence was considered:

	Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 29 Oct 12, w/atchs.
	Exhibit B.  Applicant’s Master Personnel Records.
	Exhibit C.  Letter, AFPC/DPSIRP, dated 5 Mar 13.
	Exhibit D.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 22 Mar 13.
	Exhibit E.  Letter, Applicant’s Response, undated, w/atchs.