IN THE CASE OF: BOARD DATE: 29 October 2015 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20150004840 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 (Report of Separation from Active Duty) to show his social security number (SSN) as XXX-XX-xxxx. 2. The applicant states, in effect: * his SSN appears as XXX-XX-xxxx on his DD Form 214 and should be XXX-XX-xxxx * the error was made at the time of discharge * he attempted to have the error corrected many years ago without success 3. The applicant provides a copy of his 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 9 November 1973. His SSN appears as XXX-XX-xxxx on his DD Form 4 (Enlistment Contract – Armed Forces of the United States). 3. A review of his military records reveals the SSN XXX-XX-xxxx is recorded on his DA Form 2-1 (Personnel Qualification Record – Part II), Standard Form 93 (Report of Medical History), and all other records wherein his SSN is recorded. There is no evidence indicating the SSN XXX-XX-xxxx was documented in any of his military records. 4. On 6 April 1976, he was honorably released from active duty. His SSN appears as XXX-XX-xxxx on his DD Form 214. 5. Army Regulation 635-5 (Separation Documents), in effect at the time, established standardized policy for preparing and distributing the DD Form 214. The purpose of the separation document is to provide an individual with documentary evidence of his or her military service. It is important that information entered on the form is complete and accurate. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: 1. The applicant's request for correction of his DD Form 214 to show his SSN as XXX-XX-xxxx was carefully considered. 2. There is no evidence the SSN he claims to be correct was ever recorded in his military records. The SSN shown on his DD Form 214 is the same SSN that appears on all documents in his military records. 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. A copy of this decisional document will be filed in the applicant's official military records. This should serve to clarify any questions or confusion regarding the difference in the SSN recorded in his military records and the SSN he claims to be correct. 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) AR20150004840 3 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 1 ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20150004840 3 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 1