BOARD DATE: 16 October 2014 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20140004579 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 correct date of birth (DOB). 2. The applicant states his DD Form 214 incorrectly shows he was born on , but his actual DOB is . 3. The applicant provides copies of his: * DD Form 214 * Certification of Birth 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 DD Form 4 (Enlisted Record – Armed Forces of the United States) completed during his enlistment processing shows his DOB as “.” It also shows he enlisted in the Regular Army on 23 August 1963. 3. The DA Form 20 (Enlisted Qualification Record) prepared upon his entry on active duty shows his DOB as "23 Jun 44" in item 3 (DOB). All of the documents in the applicant's record which include his DOB list it as 23 June 1944. 4. The applicant served until he was discharged from active duty on 22 July 1965. His DD Form 214 contains the entry "23 Jun 44" in item 6 (DOB). 5. There are no documents in the applicant's record that list his DOB as "23 September 1946." 6. The applicant provides a copy of his Certification of Birth, which lists his DOB as "26 September 1946." DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: 1. The applicant contends his record should be corrected to show his correct DOB as "." 2. The available evidence of record shows he served exclusively using the DOB of "23 June 1944." 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. While it is understandable the applicant desires to now record his correct DOB in his Official Military Personnel File (OMPF), there is not a sufficiently compelling reason for compromising the integrity of the Army’s records at this late date. 4. The applicant is advised that a copy of this decisional document, which confirms his correct DOB, will be filed in his OMPF. This should serve to clarify any questions or confusion in regard to the difference in the DOB in his military record and to satisfy his desire to have his correct DOB documented in those records. 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) AR20140004579 3 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 1 ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20140004579 2 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 1