IN THE CASE OF:  	  

		BOARD DATE:  13 November 2014	  

		DOCKET NUMBER:  AR20140005992 


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 DD Form 214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) by changing her year of birth (YOB) from 1956 to 1955.

2.  The applicant states she was born in 1955. 

3.  The applicant provides a copy of her DD Form 214 and United States of America passport.

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 6 June 1977.

3.  A thorough review of every document contained in her available military personnel record, many of which bear her signature, shows that her date of birth consistently appears as 3 December 1956.

4.  Item 5 (Date of Birth) of her DD Form 214 shows her YOB as 1956.  

5.  The applicant provides a copy of her passport on which her date of birth appears as 3 December 1955.

6.  Army Regulation 635-5 (Separation Documents), in effect at the time, 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 that the DD Form 214 was a synopsis of the Soldier's most recent period of continuous active duty.  It provided 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 evidence of record shows that upon her enlistment into the Army, the applicant listed her YOB as 1956.  This YOB is consistent with the YOB listed on all personnel documents throughout her military 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.  While it is understandable the applicant desires to have the YOB that she currently uses recorded on her DD Form 214 there is not a sufficiently compelling reason for compromising the integrity of the Army's records at this late date.

3.  The applicant is advised that a copy of this Record of Proceedings will be filed in her official military personnel file.  This should clarify any questions or confusion in regard to the difference in the YOB recorded in her military record and to satisfy her desire to have the YOB she now uses documented in her official record.







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)                                         AR20140005992





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ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont)                                         AR20140005992



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