IN THE CASE OF: BOARD DATE: 18 April 2017 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20150017770 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: 18 April 2017 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20150017770 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: 18 April 2017 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20150017770 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 the social security number (SSN) shown on his DD Form 214 (Report of Separation from Active Duty). 2. The applicant states at the time of his enlistment in the Army in 1972, he mistakenly used his father's social security card. He thought it was his card because it had no Jr. or Sr. suffix on it. Many years later after his separation from the Army, he found his card and it had the Jr. suffix on it. It was a mistake that he needs to correct. His SSN is "X2X-7X-xXXX." His father's SSN is "X3X-2X-xXXX." He had a difficult time obtaining a copy of his DD Form 214 because of the SSN error. 3. The applicant provides no additional evidence. 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 the cases 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. 2. The applicant's military records contain the following: * DD Form 398 (Statement of Personal History), dated 20 December 1972, listing his SSN as "X3X-2X-xXXX" * DD Form 4 (Enlistment Contract – Armed Forces of the United States), dated 30 December 1972, listing his SSN as "X3X-2X-xXXX" 3. He enlisted in the Regular Army (RA) on 30 December 1972. His military records also contain the following: * Special Orders Number 34, dated 3 February 1975, listing his SSN as "X3X-2X-xXXX" * DA Form 20 (Enlisted Qualification Record), dated 15 March 1971, listing his SSN as "X3X-2X-xXXX" 4. He was discharged on 3 February 1975. Item 3 of his DD Form 214 lists his SSN as "X3X-2X-xXXX." REFERENCE: 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 the standardized policy for the preparation of the DD Form 214. It stated the DD Form 214 is a summary of a Soldier’s most recent period of continuous active duty. It provided a brief, clear-cut record of active duty service at the time of release from active duty, retirement, or discharge. The regulation stated item 3 would list the SSN verified in the Soldier's record. DISCUSSION: 1. The evidence of records shows the applicant served in the RA with the SSN of "X3X-2X-xxXXX." This SSN is consistent with the SSN he used throughout his military service. He did not use the requested SSN at any time during his military service. 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 showing a material error or injustice, there is a reluctance to recommend that those records be changed. 3. While it is understandable that he now desires to record the SSN he currently uses on his DD Form 214, the evidence indicates that the SSN shown on the form reflected the information available at the time the form was completed. //NOTHING FOLLOWS// ABCMR Record of Proceedings AR20150000953 Enclosure 1 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20150017770 2 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS Enclosure 1 ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20150017770 3 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS Enclosure 2