MEMORANDUM OF CONSIDERATION

	IN THE CASE OF:        

	BOARD DATE:           10 July 2003
	DOCKET NUMBER:   AR2003086790

	I certify that hereinafter is recorded the record of consideration of the Army Board for Correction of Military Records in the case of the above-named individual.

	Mr. Carl W. S. Chun		Director	
	Mr. Luis Almodova		Analyst	

The following members, a quorum, were present:

	Mr. Roger W. Able		Chairperson	
	Mr. Larry C. Bergquist		Member	
	Ms. Barbara J. Ellis		Member	

	The Board, established pursuant to authority contained in 10 U.S.C. 1552, convened at the call of the Chairperson on the above date.  In accordance with Army Regulation 15-185, the application and the available military records pertinent to the corrective action requested were reviewed to determine whether to authorize a formal hearing, recommend that the records be corrected without a formal hearing, or to deny the application without a formal hearing if it is determined that insufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the existence of probable material error or injustice.

	The applicant requests correction of military records as stated in the application to the Board and as restated herein.

	The Board considered the following evidence:

	Exhibit A - Application for correction of military 
            records
	Exhibit B - Military Personnel Records (including
	            advisory opinion, if any)

APPLICANT REQUESTS:  That his DD Form 214 (Report of Separation from Active Duty) be corrected to show his correct social security account number (SSAN).

APPLICANT STATES:  That the SSAN on his DD Form 214 is incorrect.  He discovered the error when trying to obtain a certified copy of his DD Form 214 so that he could apply for State of Wisconsin veterans' benefits.

The applicant provided a copy of a social security card that shows his SSAN as 3__-68-___0 in support of his contention.

EVIDENCE OF RECORD:  The applicant's military records show:

The applicant enlisted in the Regular Army on 25 February 1969.  On the date of his enlistment, the SSAN given by the applicant was 3__-77-___4.  This number was entered in Item 19 (SSAN) of the DD Form 4, Enlistment Contract – Armed Forces of the United States.  All documents in his records show his SSAN as 3__-77-___4.  

The applicant served on active duty for a period of 1 year, 4 months and 10 days and was discharged, in accordance with the provisions of Army Regulation (AR) 635-212, in the rank and pay grade, Private, E-2, under honorable conditions, and was provided a General Discharge Certificate.  His DD Form 214 shows the SSAN 3__-77-___4 in Block 3 (Social Security Number).

The applicant entered his signature and authenticated the DD Form 214 in Block 32 (Signature of Person Being Transferred or Discharged) of the DD Form 214.

There is no evidence in the applicant's service personnel records that he reported, to military personnel officials, while he served on active duty, that the social security account number was erroneous or that the Social Security Administration had issued him a new account number. 

The applicant provided a copy of a social security card that shows his SSAN as 3__-68-___0.  The applicant provided no letter of explanation from the Social Security Administration about that agency's reasons or the circumstances behind that agency's issuing the applicant a replacement number.

Army Regulation 635-5 prescribes the separation documents prepared for soldiers upon retirement, discharge, or release from active military service or 
control of the Army.  It establishes standardized policy for the preparation of the DD Form 214.  The regulation states that the social security account number will be verified from the individual's personnel qualification record.

DISCUSSION:  Considering all the evidence, allegations, and information presented by the applicant, together with the evidence of record, applicable law and regulations, it is concluded:

1.  The Board notes the applicant’s contention that the SSAN recorded in his military records and in documents prepared and published throughout his active duty service is incorrect. The Board acknowledges the applicant’s desire to have the records changed, but finds no basis for compromising the integrity of the Army’s records.

2.  The applicant has provided no evidence to suggest that the SSAN listed in his records was in error while he was performing his military service, or that keeping this SSAN in his records would cause him any injustice.

3.  The Army has an interest in maintaining the accuracy of its records for historical purposes.  The data and information contained in those records should reflect the conditions and circumstances that existed at the time the records were created.  In the absence of a showing of material error or injustice, this Board is reluctant to recommend that those records be changed.

4.  Although the evidence provided by the applicant shows that the SSAN he now claims is correct differs from the one under which he performed his military service, he offers no explanation from the Social Security Administration as to when and why his account number was changed or why it is now different from the one recorded in his military records.

5.  A copy of this Board action will be filed in his military personnel records so that a record of his SSAN of 3__-68-___0 will be available in the future.

6.  In view of the foregoing, there is no basis for granting the applicant's request.

DETERMINATION:  The applicant has failed to submit sufficient relevant evidence to demonstrate the existence of probable error or injustice.

BOARD VOTE:

________  ________  ________  GRANT

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

___lb____  ___be___  __ra____  DENY APPLICATION

		    Carl W. S. Chun
		    Director, Army Board for Correction
    of Military Records

INDEX

CASE ID	AR2003086790	
SUFFIX		
RECON		
DATE BOARDED	20030710	
TYPE OF DISCHARGE		
DATE OF DISCHARGE		
DISCHARGE AUTHORITY		
DISCHARGE REASON		
BOARD DECISION	DENY	
REVIEW AUTHORITY		
ISSUES         1.  1021	100.0000	
2.  10	100.0900	
3.		
4.		
5.		
6.