IN THE CASE OF: BOARD DATE: 4 October 2012 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20120006770 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 correction of her records to show her name changed. 2. The applicant states her name changed as a result of her marriage. 3. The applicant provides a copy of her Certificate of Marriage. 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. On 1 September 1999, the applicant enlisted in the Regular Army. Her enlistment contract shows her last name as S______g. 3. She was retired by reason of physical disability on 27 June 2009. Her DD Form 214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) shows her last name as S____g. 4. The applicant submits a Certificate of Marriage which shows she was married on 28 May 2011 and assumed the last name of K___. 5. Army Regulation 635-5 (Separation Documents) prescribes the separation documents prepared for Soldiers upon retirement, discharge, or release from active military service or control of the Army. It states the DD Form 214 is a synopsis of the Soldier's most recent period of continuous active duty. The DD Form 214 is of vital importance to the separating Soldier and must be properly prepared according to prescribed guidance; ensure all information on the DD Form 214 and other separation documents is accurate. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: 1. The applicant requests correction of her records to show her name change. 2. She did not marry until after her retirement from active military service and her records properly show the last name she served under during her Army service. 3. For historical purposes, the Army has an interest in maintaining the accuracy 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. In the absence of a showing of material error or injustice, there is a reluctance to recommend that those records be changed. While it is understandable the applicant desires to now record her new name in her military records, there is not a sufficiently compelling reason for compromising the integrity of the Army’s records. 4. The applicant is advised that a copy of this decisional document, which confirms her new last name, will be filed in her Army Military Human Resource Record. This should serve to clarify any questions or confusion in regard to the difference in the last name recorded in her military record and to satisfy her desire to have her new last name documented in her military record. 5. In view of the foregoing, her request should be denied. 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) AR20120006770 3 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 1 ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20120006770 2 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 1