IN THE CASE OF: BOARD DATE: 8 May 2014 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20130015588 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 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) to show the correct year of his date of birth (DOB). 2. The applicant states the year of his DOB was incorrectly input when he enlisted and he has been unable to get it corrected. 3. The applicant provides his DD Form 214 and Certification of Birth. 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 records show after prior enlisted service in the U.S. Navy Reserves, he enlisted in the U.S. Army Reserve on 15 July 1975. 3. He retired honorably on 31 March 2002 after completing 23 years, 6 months, and 26 days of net active service. 4. Item 9 (Date of Birth) of his DD Form 214 shows his date of birth as 18 . 5. A thorough review of all documents contained in his available military personnel record shows his date of birth consistently appears as 18 . 6. The applicant provides his City of New York, Vital Records Certificate, Certification of Birth which shows his date of birth as 18 . 7. 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 establishes standardized policy for preparation of the DD Form 214 and states the DD Form 214 is a synopsis of the Soldier's most recent period of continuous active duty. It provides 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 the applicant listed his DOB as 18 upon his enlistment in the USAR. This DOB is consistent with the DOB listed on his DD Form 214 and all personnel documents throughout his Reserve 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 that the applicant desires to have the DOB shown on his City of New York, Vital Records Certificate, Certification of Birth recorded on his DD Form 214, this 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 military records. This should clarify any questions or confusion regarding the difference in the DOB recorded in his military records and to satisfy his desire to have the requested DOB documented. 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) AR20130015588 3 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 1 ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20130015588 2 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 1