IN THE CASE OF: BOARD DATE: 25 February 2016 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20150007954 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 as well as his DD Form 214 (Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge) to show his social security number (SSN) as "XXX-XX-" instead of "XXX-XX-." 2. The applicant states, in effect, his records reflect an incorrect SSN. 3. The applicant provides: * social security card * DD Form 214 * Medicare health insurance card * state driver license 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. In connection with his enlistment in the Regular Army (RA), the applicant completed a DD Form 398 (Statement of Personal History) but he did not list an SSN. 3. He enlisted in the RA on 20 October 1965. His DD Form 4 (Enlistment Record – Armed Forces of the United States) listed his service number, it did not list his SSN. However, the SSN "XXX-XX-" is hand-written on top of this form. 4. His DA Form 20 (Enlisted Qualification Record) which was created upon his entry on active duty listed his SSN as "XXX-XX-." He reviewed this form at a later date and authenticated it by placing his signature in the appropriate block. 5. His records contain various documents with this SSN. He authenticated some of these forms by placing his signature in the appropriate block. These documents include: * multiple reassignment orders * DA Form 41 (Record of Emergency Data) * separation orders 6. He was honorably released from active duty on 18 October 1968 and transferred to the U.S. Army Reserve (USAR) to complete his remaining Reserve obligation. Item 3 (SSN) of his DD Form 214 shows his SSN as "XXX-XX-." He authenticated this form by placing his signature in the appropriate block. 7. He was discharged from the USAR on 19 October 1971 upon completion of his service obligations. His USAR discharge orders listed his SSN as "XXX-XX-." 8. He submits a state driver license listing his name. He also submitted a social security card and Medicare health insurance card that show his name with an SSN of "XXX-XX-." 9. 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 the DD Form 214 is a synopsis of the Soldier's most recent period of continuous active duty service. It provided a brief, clear-cut record of active Federal service at the time of release from active duty, retirement, or discharge. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: 1. The applicant did not list an SSN on his DD Form 398 upon his enlistment in the RA. However, his enlistment contract listed his SSN as "XXX-XX-." This SSN was used throughout his military service and was consistently recorded on all documents in his service record. He did not use the requested SSN at any time during his military service. 2. 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 that the applicant desires to now record a different SSN in his military records, there is not a sufficiently compelling reason for compromising the integrity of the Army's records at this late date. 3. Lacking convincing independent and verifiable evidence to the contrary, it is presumed that the applicant's military service records, including the DD Form 214, were correct at the time of preparation and there is insufficient evidence to grant him relief in this case. 4. The applicant is advised that a copy of this decisional document will be filed in his service record. This should serve to clarify any questions or confusion in regard to the SSN recorded in his military record and to satisfy his desire to have his current SSN documented in his 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) AR20150007954 3 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 1 ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20150007954 4 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 1