IN THE CASE OF: BOARD DATE: 16 August 2016 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20150013134 BOARD VOTE: _________ _______ ________ GRANT FULL RELIEF ________ ________ ________ GRANT PARTIAL RELIEF ________ ________ ________ GRANT FORMAL HEARING ___x____ ____x____ ___x____ DENY APPLICATION 2 Enclosures 1. Board Determination/Recommendation 2. Evidence and Consideration IN THE CASE OF: BOARD DATE: 16 August 2016 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20150013134 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. IN THE CASE OF: BOARD DATE: 16 August 2016 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20150013134 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 (Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge) to show his social security number (SSN) as instead of . 2. The applicant states, in effect: * the SSN currently listed on his DD Form 214 for the period ending 7 March 1968 is wrong * the error is affecting his medical appointments with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) 3. The applicant provides his DD Form 214 for the period ending 7 March 1968. His DD Form 214 lists his SSN as . 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 was inducted into the Army of the United States on 8 March 1966. 3. He was honorably released from active duty on 7 March 1968. 4. His available service record contains the following relevant documents: a. DD Form 398 (Statement of Personal History) shows a handwritten entry with the SSN of . b. Special Orders Number 53, dated 1 March 1968, issued by Headquarters, III Corps and Fort Hood, shows his SSN as . c. Letter Orders Number 02-1080956, dated 23 February 1972, issued by Office of the Adjutant General, U.S. Army Reserve Components Personnel and Administration Center, displays his SSN as . d. Nearly all documents in his available service record show only his military serial number (MSN). The few documents that show his SSN all list it as 547-XX-XXXX. REFERENCES: 1. Army Regulation 635-5 (Personnel Separations - Separation Documents), in effect at the time, prescribes policies and procedures for the completion of the DD Form 214. Source documents include the DA Form 20 as well as orders. This regulation states: * item 2 will list the Soldier's MSN * item 3 will reflect the SSN 2. Army Regulation 15-185 (ABCMR) prescribes the policies and procedures for correction of military records by the Secretary of the Army, acting through the ABCMR. a. Paragraph 2-9 contains guidance on the burden of proof. It states, in pertinent part, that the ABCMR begins its consideration of each case with the presumption of administrative regularity, which is that what the Army did was correct. b. The ABCMR is not an investigative body and decides cases based on the evidence that is presented in the military records provided and the independent evidence submitted with the application. The applicant has the burden of proving an error or injustice by a preponderance of the evidence. DISCUSSION: 1. The applicant requests correction of his DD Form 214 for the period ending 7 March 1968 by changing the first three digits from 547 to 546. While most documents in his available service record only show his MSN, the few that list his SSN display it as . 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. 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 the applicant desires to record his current 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. The applicant is advised that a copy of this decisional document will be filed in his service record, now called the Official Military Personnel File (OMPF). This should serve to clarify any questions or confusion in regard to the difference in the SSN recorded in his military record and to satisfy his desire to have his current SSN documented in his OMPF. 4. The ABCMR does not grant requests for the correction of military records solely for the purpose of making an applicant eligible for VA benefits. Any questions regarding benefits should be addressed to the VA. //NOTHING FOLLOWS// ABCMR Record of Proceedings AR20150000953 Enclosure 1 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20150013134 2 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS Enclosure 1 ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20150013134 3 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS Enclosure 2