BOARD DATE: 30 September 2010 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20100009655 THE BOARD CONSIDERED THE FOLLOWING EVIDENCE: 1. Application for correction of military records (with supporting documents provided, if any). 2. Military Personnel Records and advisory opinions (if any). THE APPLICANT'S REQUEST, STATEMENT, AND EVIDENCE: 1. The applicant requests her last name be changed from W____ to N____. 2. The applicant states she was divorced and no longer goes by W____. 3. The applicant provides her divorce decree filed on 20 November 2000. CONSIDERATION OF EVIDENCE: 1. Title 10, U.S. Code, section 1552(b), provides that applications for correction of military records must be filed within 3 years after discovery of the alleged error or injustice. This provision of law also allows the Army Board for Correction of Military Records (ABCMR) to excuse an applicant's failure to timely file within the 3-year statute of limitations if the ABCMR determines it would be in the interest of justice to do so. While it appears the applicant did not file within the time frame provided in the statute of limitations, the ABCMR has elected to conduct a substantive review of this case and, only to the extent relief, if any, is granted, has determined it is in the interest of justice to excuse the applicant's failure to timely file. In all other respects, there are insufficient bases to waive the statute of limitations for timely filing. 2. The applicant's military records show she enlisted in the Regular Army on 17 February 1994 under the last name N____, was awarded the military occupational specialty of automated logistical specialist, and was promoted to pay grade E-4. 3. On 26 September 1996, the applicant requested that her last name be changed from N____ to W____ on all official records. 4. On 21 November 1997, the applicant was honorably released from active duty due to parenthood. The DD Form 214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) she was issued shows her last name as W____. 5. The applicant changed her name from W____ to N____ as a result of divorce on or about 20 November 2000. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: 1. For historical purposes, the Army has an interest in maintaining the accuracy of its records. The 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, those records should not be changed. 2. In the applicant's case, the records reflect the correct name under which her military service was performed. She changed her name as a result of divorce 3 years after her release from active duty. 4. While the applicant's desire to have the records changed is understandable, there is no basis for compromising the integrity of the Army's records. 5. In view of the forgoing, there is no basis for granting the applicant's request. BOARD VOTE: ________ ________ ________ GRANT FULL RELIEF ________ ________ ________ GRANT PARTIAL RELIEF ________ ________ ________ GRANT FORMAL HEARING ____x__ ____x____ ___x_____ DENY APPLICATION BOARD DETERMINATION/RECOMMENDATION: The evidence presented does not demonstrate the existence of a probable error or injustice. Therefore, the Board determined that the overall merits of this case are insufficient as a basis for correction of the records of the individual concerned. ___________x______________ CHAIRPERSON I certify that herein is recorded the true and complete record of the proceedings of the Army Board for Correction of Military Records in this case. ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20100009655 3 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 1 ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20100009655