BOARD DATE:	  8 July 2014

		DOCKET NUMBER:  AR20130020336 


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 show his name as J. Clark 
G----- instead of Clark J----- J------.

2.  The applicant states the name change document was not sent to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) in 1987.

3.  The applicant provides a court order for change of name adjudged on 8 July 1987.

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 was inducted into the Army of the United States on 21 April 1967.  His DD Form 47 (Record of Induction) shows he was inducted under the name of Clark J----- J------ as shown on his DD Form 214.

3.  His entire military record shows his name as Clark J----- J------.

4.  He was released from active duty on 18 April 1969.  His DD Form 214 shows his name as Clark J----- J------.

5.  He provides a court order for change of name that shows his legal name was changed to J. Clark G----- effective 8 July 1987.

6.  Army Regulation 635-5 (Separations Documents), in effect at the time of the applicant's active duty service, 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 the DD Form 214 is a synopsis of the Soldier's most recent period of continuous active service.  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.  Evidence shows he served under the name of Clark J-----J------ throughout his entire period of active 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.  In the absence of a showing of material error or injustice, there is a reluctance to recommend that those records be changed.  While his desire to now record the first, middle, and last names he legally acquired in 1987 in his military records is understandable, there is not a sufficiently compelling reason for compromising the integrity of the Army's records.

3.  The applicant is advised that a copy of this decisional document will be filed in his Official Military Personnel File (OMPF).  This should serve to clarify any questions or confusion in regard to the difference in the name recorded in his military record and to satisfy his desire to have his current legal name change documented in his OMPF.

4.  In view of the foregoing, there is no basis to grant the applicant's requested relief.  
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)                                         AR20130020336



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ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont)                                         AR20130020336



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