IN THE CASE OF: BOARD DATE: 23 August 2012 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20120005375 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, in effect, correction of her DD Form 214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) to show her last name changed from "B____" to "W____." 2. She states she got married on 22 February 2012. 3. She provides her marriage certificate. CONSIDERATION OF EVIDENCE: 1. The applicant enlisted in the Regular Army on 4 September 1996. She completed 15 years, 1 month, and 27 days of active service and was retired due to permanent disability on 30 October 2011. 2. A review of her records shows her name consistently appeared as "B____" throughout her of service. Item 1 (Name – Last, First, Middle) of her DD Form 214 shows her last name as "B____." 3. She provided a copy of her marriage certificate issued by the State of Tennessee that verifies she was married on 22 February 2012. 4. Army Regulation 635-5 (Separation Documents) states the DD Form 214 is a summary of a Soldier's most recent period of continuous active duty. It provides a brief, clear-cut record of active duty service at the time of release from active duty, retirement, or discharge. It states to enter the individual's last, first, and middle name in all capital letters in item 1; include "SR," "JR," or "II," if appropriate. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: 1. The evidence of record shows the applicant's last name was "B____" at the time she retired on 30 October 2011. Her marriage did not occur until 22 February 2012, more than 3 months after she retired and was issued her DD Form 214. As cited in the above regulation, the DD Form 214 provides a brief, clear-cut record of active duty service at the time of separation. Therefore, her last name is correct as constituted on her DD Form 214. 2. For historical purposes, the Army has an interest in maintaining the integrity of its records. The data and information contained in those records should reflect the conditions and circumstances that existed at the time the records were created. While it is understandable that the applicant desires to have her name changed on her military records, there is not a sufficiently compelling reason for compromising the integrity of the Army's records. 3. She is advised that a copy of this decision document which confirms her married name will be filed in her official military personnel file. This should serve to clarify any questions or confusion in regard to her name recorded in her military records and the name she currently uses. 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 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) AR20120005375 3 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 1 ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20120005375 2 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 1