RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2015-02414 COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: NO APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: 1.  Her military and DFAS records be changed to reflect her maiden name. 2.  She be issued a new DD Form 214 reflecting the name change, and block 10b, “Nearest Relative,” be changed. APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: Her divorce decree dated 12 Feb 13, ordered and decreed that her maiden name be restored as her surname. Delta Dental has identified the name discrepancy between her finance center database and the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS) (DEERS reflects her maiden name, finance records reflect her married name). In order for her to establish a government allotment payment for her TRICARE Retiree Dental Program, the names must match. The applicant’s complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A. STATEMENT OF FACTS: The applicant initially entered the Regular Air Force on 19 Feb 80. On 29 Feb 04, the applicant was furnished an honorable discharge, and was credited with 28 years, and 10 days of active service. On 12 Feb 13, according to documents provided by the applicant, her divorce decree was rendered, executing the marital dissolution agreement, to include restoring her maiden name, the name she is requesting her military and DFAS records be changed to reflect, and she be issued a new DD Form 214 reflecting the same. On 23 Jun 15, AFPC/DPSIRP advised the applicant they had administratively corrected her military records by providing the Air Force Form 281 (AF281), Notification of Change In Service Member’s Official Records, as a source document for her requested name change update, and filed a copy in the Automated Records Management System (ARMS). They also planned to provide a copy to the Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS) (Exhibit D). The remaining relevant facts pertaining to this application are contained in the memorandum prepared by the Air Force office of primary responsibility (OPR), which is attached at Exhibit E. AIR FORCE EVALUATION: SAF/MR provided a memorandum of guidance with regard to name changes. The memorandum is advisory only and is not intended to predetermine outcomes or otherwise restrict the AFBCMR’s statutory authority under 10 U.S.C. §1552, where there is error or injustice. Specifically, the memorandum notes that the DD Form 214 is a document primarily created for the benefit of the veteran to establish entitlement to various government programs or in seeking employment with organizations that grant a veterans' preference. Any such name change should be limited only to the DD Form 214; any change to an applicant's other records to reflect a post-service name change should rarely be recommended, and only in the most unusual cases. The AFBCMR should require proof that the applicant’s name was legally changed. A signed and authenticated court order should be required. Further, the correction should be to the DD 214 and for the limited purposes of mitigating an injustice caused by use of the DD 214. A complete copy of the SAF/MR evaluation is at Exhibit C. AFPC/DPSOR recommends denial, indicating there is no evidence of an error or injustice warranting granting the relief sought in respect to issuing new DD Form 214 to reflect her name change. The effective date of the name change was 23 Feb 13, nine years after the effective date on her DD Form 214. AFI 36-3202, Separation Documents, the governing directive for the DD Form 214 directs the name on a DD Form 214 be listed as recorded in the military record at the time of separation. For instances of divorce where a name change is effective after the publication of a DD Form 214, applicants provide those agencies providing the benefit/ entitlement or service their DD Form 214 as prepared and show legal documentation to explain such a change (e.g., marriage certificates and/or divorce decrees). The applicant has not indicated or provided evidence of an injustice nor provided evidence the DD Form 214 was published in error. The DD Form 214 is not a living document, it is historical in nature, and does not change. A complete copy of the AFPC/DPSOR evaluation is at Exhibit E. APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: Copies of the Air Force evaluations were forwarded to the applicant on 17 Jun 15 and 14 Aug 15 for review and comment within 30 days (Exhibits C and F). As of this date, no response has been received by this office. 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 an error or injustice warranting changes to her DD Form 214. We took notice of the applicant’s complete submission in judging the merits of the case; however, we agree with the opinion and recommendation of AFPC/DPSOR and adopt its rationale as the basis for our conclusion the applicant has not been the victim of an error of injustice. The Board notes that AFPC/DPSIR administratively corrected her military records by providing the Air Force Form 281 (AF281), Notification of Change In Service Member’s Official Records, as a source document for her requested name change update, filed a copy in the Automated Records Management System (ARMS), and also planned to provide a copy to the Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS), which will mitigate her name change affecting benefits and entitlements. Therefore, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, we find no basis to recommend granting any relief beyond that rendered administratively. THE BOARD DETERMINES THAT: The applicant be notified the evidence presented did not demonstrate the existence of material error or injustice; the application was denied without a personal appearance; and the application will only be reconsidered upon the submission of newly discovered relevant evidence not considered with this application. The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2015-02414 in Executive Session on 24 Mar 16 under the provisions of AFI 36-2603: The following documentary evidence pertaining to AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2015-02414 was considered: Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 15 May 15, w/atchs. Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records. Exhibit C.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 17 Jun 15, w/atch. Exhibit D.  Letter, AFPC/DPSIRP, dated 23 Jun 15,   w/atch. Exhibit E.  Memorandum, AFPC/DPSOR, received 21 Jul 15. Exhibit F.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 14 Aug 15.