IN THE CASE OF: BOARD DATE: 12 June 2014 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20130018700 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 correct his date of birth (DOB). 2. The applicant states that his DOB is incorrect. 3. The applicant provides his: * DD Form 214 * Certificate of Birth Registration * Driver License 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 military records are not available for review. A fire destroyed approximately 18 million service members' records at the National Personnel Records Center in 173. It is believed that the applicant's records were lost or destroyed in that fire. However, there were sufficient documents remaining in a reconstructed record to conduct a fair and impartial review of this case. 3. His DD Form 214 shows in: * item 6 (DOB), the entry * item 11d (Effective Date), he was honorably released from active duty on 14 August 156 * item 16 (Date Inducted), he was inducted into the Army of the United States on 24 August 154 4. He submitted a copy of a: a. certified copy of a LaGrange County Department of Health Certificate of Birth Registration issued on 10 November 172 that shows his DOB as June . b. Michigan Driver License issued on 11 May 2012 that shows his DOB as June . 5. Army Regulation 15-185 (Army Board for Correction of Military Records (ABCMR ) prescribes the policies and procedures for correction of military records by the Secretary of the Army, acting through the ABCMR. The regulation provides that the ABCMR begins its consideration of each case with the presumption of administrative regularity. The applicant has the burden of proving an error or injustice by a preponderance of the evidence. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: 1. The applicant contends his DD Form 214 should be changed to reflect his DOB as June . 2. While it is understood that the applicant desires to have his DD Form 214 corrected to show the DOB that he now claims is correct his record is not available to show that he served using any other DOB than what is shown on his DD Form 214. Therefore, there is an insufficient evidentiary basis for granting the applicant's requested relief. 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. 4. The applicant is advised that a copy of this decisional document,will be filed in his reconstructed record. This should serve to clarify any questions or confusion in regard to the difference in the DOB recorded on his DD Form 214 and to satisfy his desire to have his correct DOB documented in his record. 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) AR20130018700 3 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 1 ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20130018700 2 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 1