IN THE CASE OF: BOARD DATE: 2 February 2016 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20150006693 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 records, to include his DD Form 214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) for the period ending 15 November 2013, by changing his last name from Bxxx to Pxxx. 2. The applicant states, in effect, his last name has changed and his records should reflect his legal/birth last name. 3. The applicant provides: * marriage license * certificate of birth * high school diploma * DD Form 214 CONSIDERATION OF EVIDENCE: 1. The applicant enlisted in the North Carolina Army National Guard (NCARNG) on 29 July 2005. All enlistment documents show his last name as Bxxx. He was honorably discharged from the NCARNG on 30 August 2006 in order to enlist in the Regular Army. His National Guard Bureau (NGB) Form 22 (Report of Separation and Record of Service) shows his last name as Bxxx. 2. He enlisted in the Regular Army on 31 August 2006. His last name on all enlistment documents is Bxxx. 3. He was discharged from the Regular Army on 15 November 2013. His DD Form 214 shows his last name as Bxxx. 4. All documents in his official military personnel file (OMPF), with the exception of one, show his last name as Bxxx. His high school diploma, added to his OMPF on 29 July 2005, shows his last name as Pxxx. 5. The applicant provides no documentation, such as a court order, which would indicate he legally changed his name. He does provide the following: * marriage license showing his marriage on 7 April 2015 with his last name as Pxxx * birth certificate showing his last name as Pxxx * high school diploma showing his last name as Pxxx 6. Army Regulation 635-8 (Personnel Separations - Separation Processing and Documents), establishes the standardized policy for preparing and distributing the DD Form 214. The regulation directs that the purpose of the separation document is to provide the individual with documentary evidence of his or her military service at the time of release from active duty, retirement, or discharge. It noted the importance of the information entered on the form being complete and accurate, and reflecting the conditions as they existed at the time of separation. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: 1. With regard to the amendment of all forms in the applicant's records to correct his last name, the other forms contained in his OMPF are a snapshot of a Soldier's personnel data as it was at the time the particular form was produced. By contrast, the DD Form 214 serves as the primary document which reflects a Soldier's service and is therefore the document corrected when a change to a former Soldier's name is requested. As such, the requested change would only apply to the DD Form 214. 2. With the exception of one document (his high school diploma) the evidence of record shows the applicant's last name was consistently shown as Bxxx. This is also the name shown on the applicant's DD Form 214 for the period ending 15 November 2013. 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. While it is understandable that he now desires to record his current 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. 4. The applicant is advised that a copy of this decisional document, which confirms his current last name, will be filed in his service record. This should serve to clarify any questions or confusion in regard to the difference in the name recorded in his military record and his current name, and to satisfy his desire to have his current name documented. 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) AR20150006693 3 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 1 ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20150006693 3 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 1