RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2016-04575

XXX X XX	COUNSEL: NONE

	HEARING: NO

APPLICANT’S REQUEST.  The name on her DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, be changed to coincide with her legally changed name.

APPLICANT’S  CONTENTION.  The DD Form 214 reflecting her current legal name would be proof of her military service when it comes to applying for federal employment and veterans’ benefits.  The applicant’s complete submission is at Exhibit A.

STATEMENT OF FACTS.  The applicant was honorably discharged from the Air Force on 13 Oct 12.  For more information, see the excerpt of the applicant’s record at Exhibit B, the SAF/MR guidance at Exhibit C, and the advisory at Exhibit E.

AIR FORCE EVALUATION.  SAF/MR Memorandum, Guidance to the Air Force Board for Correction of Military Records – Name Changes, dated 9 Mar 15, states that in the past, the Board has rarely corrected a record to reflect a name change when the record in question was accurate at the time it was produced.  However, the Board may choose to depart from this precedent when the facts, the equities, or both can be distinguished from past denials, and the applicant demonstrates that allowing the DD Form 214 to remain uncorrected would constitute an injustice.

A complete copy of the SAF/MR Memorandum is at Exhibit C.

APPLICANT’S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION.  The Board sent a copy of the Air Force evaluation to the applicant on 7 Aug 17 for comment (Exhibit D), but has received no response.

ADDITIONAL AIR FORCE EVALUATION.  AFPC/DP2SSM recommends denying the application.  AFPC/DP2SSM recommends denial.  The applicant enlisted, served, and was discharged under the name reflected on her DD Form 214.  AFI 36-2608, Military Personnel Records System, states, a name change that occurred after discharge should not be corrected.  The complete advisory is at Exhibit E.

APPLICANT’S REVIEW OF ADDITIONAL AIR FORCE EVALUATION.  The Board sent a copy of the Air Force evaluation to the applicant on 12 Dec 17 for comment (Exhibit F), but has received no response.

THE BOARD CONCLUDES:

1.  The application was not timely filed.

2.  The applicant exhausted all available avenues of non-judicial relief before applying to the Board.  

3.  After thoroughly reviewing all Exhibits, it is the Board’s opinion that the applicant is not the victim of an error or injustice.  The Board concurs with AFPC/DP2SSM and finds that a preponderance of the evidence does not substantiate the applicant’s contentions.  The applicant did not articulate how allowing the DD Form 214 to remain uncorrected would constitute an injustice, and so there was nothing on which to base a potential correction.  Therefore, the Board recommends against correcting the record. 

THE BOARD RECOMMENDS:  The applicant be informed that the evidence did not demonstrate material error or injustice; the application was denied without a personal appearance; and the application will only be reconsidered upon receipt of relevant evidence not already considered by the Board.

CERTIFICATION: The following quorum of the Board, as defined in Air Force Instruction (AFI) 36-2603, Air Force Board for Correction of Military Records (AFBCMR), paragraph 1.5, considered AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2016-04575 in Executive Session on 22 Mar 18:

	 Panel Chair
	 Member
	 Member

All members voted not to correct the record.  The panel considered the following:

Exhibit A: Applicant’s application, DD Form 149, dated 9 Nov 16, w/atchs.
Exhibit B: Documentary evidence, including excerpts from official records.
Exhibit C: Memorandum SAF MR Name Change, dated 9 Mar 15.
Exhibit D: Letter SAF MRBC, dated 7 Aug 17.
Exhibit E: Advisory AFPC/DP2SSM, dated 28 Aug 17.
Exhibit F: Letter SAF MRBC, dated 12 Dec 17.

Taken together with all Exhibits, this document constitutes the true and complete Record of Proceedings required by AFI 36-2603, paragraph 4.11.9.