BOARD DATE: 1 December 2016 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20150014498 BOARD VOTE: ____X_____ __X_____ ___X_____ GRANT FULL RELIEF ________ ________ ________ GRANT PARTIAL RELIEF ________ ________ ________ GRANT FORMAL HEARING ________ ________ ________ DENY APPLICATION 2 Enclosures 1. Board Determination/Recommendation 2. Evidence and Consideration BOARD DATE: 1 December 2016 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20150014498 BOARD DETERMINATION/RECOMMENDATION: The Board determined that the evidence presented was sufficient to warrant a recommendation for relief. As a result, the Board recommends that all Department of the Army records of the individual concerned be corrected by amending his DD Form 214 to show the social security number listed on his social security card. _____________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. BOARD DATE: 1 December 2016 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20150014498 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-54XX" instead of "XXX-54-xxXX." 2. The applicant states, in effect, the incorrect SSN is shown on his DD Form 214. 3. The applicant provides a copy of his DD Form 214 and social security card. 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, and 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 U.S. Army Reserve under the Delayed Entry Program (DEP) for 6 years on 22 December 1978. Item 2 (SSN) of his DD Form 4 (Enlistment or Reenlistment Agreement) listed his SSN as "XXX-54-xxXX." 3. Item 43 (Data Verification) of his DD Form 4 contains an entry in the "Other - Specify" block, next to the statement "To be completed by the recruiter who enters a description of the actual documents reviewed by him/her to verify," the entry "SSN Card," indicating the recruiter verified the SSN from the social security card. 4. The applicant was released from the DEP and enlisted in the Regular Army on 4 January 1979. On the same date, the Armed Forces Examining and Entrance Station, Chicago, IL, published Enlistment/Travel Orders Number 03-13 transferring him to the Reception Station at Fort Sill, OK for training. The travel orders listed his SSN as "XXX-54-xxXX." 5. The DA Form 2-1 (Personnel Qualification Record) which was created upon his entry on active duty listed his SSN as "XXX-54-xxXX." He authenticated this form with his signature. 6. His records contain several documents listing his SSN as "XXX-54-xxXX" including an SGLI Election Certificate, a Record of Emergency Data, Application for Identification Card, separation packet, and multiple orders. 7. He was honorably discharged from active duty on 4 April 1979. Item 3 (SSN) of his DD Form 214 shows his SSN as "XXX-54-xxXX." He authenticated this form with his signature. 8. He provides his social security card and other evidence that shows his SSN as "XXX-xx-54XX." REFERENCE Army Regulation 635-5 (Separation Documents) establishes the standardized policy for preparing and distributing the DD Form 214. The purpose of the separation document is to provide the individual with documentary evidence of his or her military service. It is important that information entered on the form should be complete and accurate. DISCUSSION: 1. The applicant's enlistment contract listed his SSN as "XXX-54-xxXX." He authenticated this contract and allied documents with his signature. Additionally, this SSN is consistent with the SSN recorded throughout his military service. There is no evidence he used a different SSN at any time during the period he served in the Army. 2. For historical purposes, 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. 3. Absent convincing, independent, and verifiable evidence to the contrary, it is presumed his military service records, including the DD Form 214, were completed correctly based on the information available at the time. 4. A copy of this decisional document, which confirms the requested SSN, will be filed in his official military personnel records. This should serve to clarify any questions or confusion regarding the difference in the SSN recorded in his military records and to satisfy his desire to have the requested SSN documented in his military records. //NOTHING FOLLOWS// ABCMR Record of Proceedings AR20150000953 Enclosure 1 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20150014498 2 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS Enclosure 1 ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20150014498 3 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS Enclosure 2