IN THE CASE OF:	  

		BOARD DATE:	  20 May 2014

		DOCKET NUMBER:  AR20130013820 


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 DD Form 214 (Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge) to show her name as V____ J____ S____.

2.  The applicant states she did not have the proper documentation for her adoption when she enlisted in the military.  As such, she had to enlist under the name shown on her birth certificate rather than the name she used throughout her life.  At the time of her enlistment, her driver's license and social security card both showed her name as V____ J____ S____.

3.  The applicant provides copies of her legal name change documentation.

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 enlisted in the Regular Army on 7 April 1967 under the name C____ L____ N____.  She was honorably discharged on 6 April 1970.

3.  All of her military service records show she served under the name C____ L____ N____.  The applicant signed her DD Form 214 using the name C____ L____ N____.

4.  There is no evidence in the available records showing she performed military service under the name V____ J____ S____.

5.  The applicant provided a legal change of name order from the District Court of Travis County, Texas, showing her name was changed from C____ L____ M____ C____ to V____ J____ S____ C____ effective 8 March 1977.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS:

1.  The applicant used the name C____ L____ N____ throughout her military service and this name is properly recorded 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.  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 that the applicant desires to record the name she now uses on her DD Form 214, there is not a sufficiently compelling reason for compromising the integrity of her military records.

3.  The applicant is advised that a copy of this decisional document will be filed in her military records.  This should serve to clarify any questions or confusion regarding the difference between the name recorded on her DD Form 214 and the name she now 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)                                         AR20130013820



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ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont)                                         AR20130013820



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