BOARD DATE:	20 February 2014

		DOCKET NUMBER:  AR20140001619


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 records to show her current last name.

2.  The applicant states she changed her last name after her divorce.

3.  The applicant provides:

* DD Form 214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty)
* Court Order Changing Name

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 retired from the U.S. Army Reserve on 28 March 2007 and was placed on the Temporary Disability Retired List (TDRL) the following day.  She was removed from the TDRL on 12 March 2010 and permanently retired.

3.  Item 1 (Name) of her DD Form 214 shows her last name as "C____."

4.  She provided a court order changing her last name to "I____," dated 15 May 2013.

5.  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 DD Form 214 is a "snapshot in time" and is a reflection of the applicant's record of active Army service at the time of her release from active duty.

2.  The evidence shows she changed her last name in 2013, over 6 years after her placement on the TDRL on 29 March 2007.  Therefore, there is no basis for amending item 1 of her DD Form 214.

3.  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.

4.  The applicant is advised that a copy of this decisional document which confirms her legal name change will be filed in her Army Military Human Resource Record (AMHRR) (formerly known as the Official Military Personnel File).  This should serve to clarify any questions or confusion regarding the difference in the name recorded in her AMHRR and to satisfy her desire to have her current legal name documented in her military records.

5.  However, if it is the applicants retired pay records that she wishes to update the Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS) has stated in previous cases that it is their policy to refer retirees to the U.S. Army Human Resources Command to approve a name change. The applicant should therefore provide supporting documentation to: Commander, Human Resources Command,
ATTN: AHRC-PDR-VI, 1600 Spearhead Division Avenue, Fort Knox, KY 40122 requesting approval of her name change and inform DFAS when it has been approved.

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)                                         AR20140001619



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ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont)                                         AR20140001619



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