IN THE CASE OF: BOARD DATE: 13 March 2014 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20130013181 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 his DD Form 214 (Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge) to change his date of birth from 14  to 15 . 2. He states that as an older veteran, he is getting his affairs in order and having his birthday corrected in his military record would be helpful. Otherwise, this error will affect his burial, social security medical, and retirement planning. 3. He provides his: * birth certificate * DD Form 214 * California Driver License, which expired in 1976 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 record shows he was inducted into the Army of the United States on 25 April 1967. He served on active duty for a period of 2 years prior to being released from active duty on 24 April 1969 with an honorable characterization of service. 3. A thorough review of every document contained in his available military personnel record, many of which bear his signature, shows that his date of birth consistently appears as 14 . 4. Item 9 (Date of Birth) of his DD Form 214 shows his date of birth as 14 . He authenticated this document with his signature at the time of his separation. 5. The applicant provides his birth certificate and driver license on which his date of birth appears as 15 . 6. Army Regulation 635-5 (Separation Documents), in effect at the time, prescribed the separation documents prepared for Soldiers upon retirement, discharge, or release from active military service or control of the Army. It established standardized policy for the preparation of the DD Form 214. It stated that the DD Form 214 was a synopsis of the Soldier’s most recent period of continuous active duty. It provided a brief, clear-cut record of active Army service at the time of release from active duty, retirement, or discharge. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: 1. The evidence of record shows that upon his induction into in the Army, the applicant listed his DOB as 14 . This DOB is consistent with the DOB listed on all personnel documents throughout his military service. 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 the applicant desires to have the DOB that he currently uses recorded on his DD Form 214 there is not a sufficiently compelling reason for compromising the integrity of the Army's records at this late date. 3. The applicant is advised that a copy of this Record of Proceedings will be filed in his official military personnel file. This should clarify any questions or confusion in regard to the difference in the date of birth recorded in his military record and to satisfy his desire to have the date of birth he now uses documented in his official record. BOARD VOTE: ________ ________ ________ GRANT FULL RELIEF ________ ________ ________ GRANT PARTIAL RELIEF ________ ________ ________ GRANT FORMAL HEARING ___x____ ___x____ ___x_____ DENY APPLICATION BOARD DETERMINATION/RECOMMENDATION: 1. 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. 2. This action in no way diminishes the sacrifices made by the applicant in service to our Nation. The applicant and all Americans should be justifiably proud of his service in arms. _____________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) AR20130013181 3 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 1 ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20130013181 2 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 1