IN THE CASE OF: BOARD DATE: 10 December 2015 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20150005257 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 military service records to show the suffix "SR" as part of his name. 2. The applicant states that the suffix was omitted from his name when he was issued his DD Form 214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty). 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. A DD Form 1966 (Application for Enlistment – Armed Forces of the United States), prepared and certified by the applicant on 23 January 1976, and recertified by him on 10 February 1976, shows in: * Section I (Personal Data), block 1 (Name – Last, First, Middle, Jr., Sr., etc.), he entered "C----, S--- M---" (it does not show the suffix "SR") * Section III (Verification of Personal Data), block 23 (If Preferred Enlistment Name (name given in block 1) is not the same as on your birth certificate and has not been changed by legal procedure prescribed by state law, complete the following: Name as shown on Birth Certificate) he entered, "NA." * the applicant placed his signature on the form without the suffix "SR" 3. A DD Form 4 (Enlistment or Reenlistment Agreement – Armed Forces of the United States) shows the applicant enlisted in the U.S. Army Reserve (USAR) on 26 January 1976 for a period of 6 years and he further enlisted in the Regular Army on 10 February 1976 for a period of 4 years. It shows in item 1 (Name – Last, First, Middle, Jr., Sr., etc.) the entry, "C----, S--- M---" (it does not show the suffix "SR"). It also shows the applicant placed his signature on the form in several places without the suffix "SR." 4. A DD Form 214 shows the applicant entered active duty on 10 February 1976, was honorably released from active duty on 8 February 1980, and transferred to the USAR Control Group (Reinforcement). It also shows in: * item 1 (Name – Last, First, Middle) the entry, "C---, S--- M---" * item 21 (Signature of Member Being Separated) the applicant's signature (without the suffix "SR") 5. Office of the Adjutant General, USAR Components Personnel and Administration Center, St. Louis, MO, Orders Number 12-1068913, dated 24 December 1981, honorably discharged the applicant from the USAR effective 25 January 1982. The orders show his name as "C---, S--- M---." 6. Army Regulation 635-5 (Personnel Separations - Separation Documents), in effect at the time, prescribes policies and procedures regarding separation documents. The purpose of a separation document is to provide the individual with documentary evidence of their military service at the time of separation. Therefore, it is important the information entered thereon is complete and accurate as of that date. a. Section III (Instructions for Preparation and Distribution of the Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge) contains guidance on the preparation of the DD Form 214. It states that all available records will be used as a basis for the preparation of the DD Form 214, including the Enlisted Qualification Record, Officer Qualification Record, and orders. b. The instructions for item 1 state, enter name in all capital letters, include "JR", "SR", or "II" when needed. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: 1. The evidence of record shows that upon enlistment in the U.S. Army, based on the applicant's certification, his name was recorded in his military records as "S--- M--- C----" (without a suffix). 2. The applicant's military service records clearly show that name and that he signed numerous documents using the name without a suffix. In addition, the applicant's name was consistently recorded in his official military service records, including on his DD Form 214, when he was released from active duty and on his orders when he was discharged from the USAR. 3. Considering all the evidence and information presented by the applicant, together with the evidence of record, applicable law, and regulations, the applicant offers insufficient evidence to warrant a change to the name in his official military service records. 4. 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. Although the applicant desires to now record a suffix to his name in his military records, there is not a sufficiently compelling reason for compromising the integrity of the Army's records at this late date. 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) AR20150005257 3 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 1 ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20150005257 4 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 1