BOARD DATE: 30 October 2014 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20140004444 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 his name as B____ L____ S____, JR. 2. The applicant states he entered the military under the name B____ J____ F____. He was unaware of his correct name of B____ S____, JR., until he was shown a copy of his birth certificate. His legal and correct name is B____ L____ S____, JR. 3. The applicant provides: * birth certificate * State of North Carolina Identification Card * DD Form 214 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 27 November 1979 under the name B____ J____ F____. 3. His records show he used the name B____ J____ F____ throughout his military service. His records are void of and he failed to provide any evidence showing he used the name B____ L____ S____, JR., at any time while he was serving in the Regular Army. 4. On 22 September 1980, he was discharged under the Expeditious Discharge Program. 5. He provided a copy of his birth certificate and State of North Carolina Identification Card that show his name as B____ S____, JR. 6. Army Regulation 635-5 (Separation Documents), in effect at the time, established the standardized policy for preparing and distributing the DD Form 214. It stated 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. A review of the applicant's records shows he served exclusively under the name B____ J____ F____. While it is understandable that he now desires to record the name shown on birth certificate on his DD Form 214, there is not a sufficiently compelling reason for compromising the integrity of the Army's records. 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. 2. The applicant is advised that a copy of this decisional document will be filed in his military records. This should serve to clarify any questions or confusion regarding the difference in the name recorded in his military records and the name shown on his birth certificate. 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) AR20130018335 3 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 1 ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20140004444 2 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 1