BOARD DATE: 17 July 2014 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20130022354 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 records to show his social security number (SSN) as "XXX-XX-." 2. The applicant states, in effect, that the Social Security Administration erroneously issued him a Social Security card with the wrong SSN. 3. The applicant provides: * DD Form 214 (Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge) * Form SSA-2458 (Report of Confidential Social Security Benefit Information), dated 1 November 2013 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 26 August 1970. 3. The same SSN shown on his DD Form 4 (Enlistment Contract- Armed Forces of the United States), "XXX-XX-," is shown on every document in his Official Military Personnel File (OMPF) requiring the use of his SSN. 4. He was honorably released from active duty on 13 April 1972. Item 3 (SSN) of his DD Form 214 shows his SSN as "XXX-XX-." 5. The applicant provided a document from the Social Security Administration which states the beneficiary with the first name John and the applicant are listed in their records as the same person. Further, this individual, SSN "XXX-XX-," was issued a Social Security card in 1967 with the last four digits of his SSN as "" instead of "" in error. 6. 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 states the DD Form 214 is a synopsis of the Soldier's most recent period of continuous active duty. The DD Form 214 is of vital importance to the separating Soldier and must be properly prepared according to prescribed guidance; ensure all information on the DD Form 214 and other separation documents is accurate. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: 1. The applicant requests correction of his records to show his correct SSN. 2. There is no question that the applicant was issued a Social Security card with an incorrect SSN by the Social Security Administration; however, 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 now record his correct SSN in his military records, there is not a sufficiently compelling reason for compromising the integrity of the Army's records. 3. He is advised that a copy of this decisional document which shows his current SSN will be filed in his OMPF. This should serve to clarify any questions or confusion regarding the difference in the SSN recorded in his military records and to satisfy his desire to have his current SSN documented in his OMPF. 4. In view of the above is request should be denied. 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) AR20130022354 3 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 1 ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20130022354 2 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 1