RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2012-02897 COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: NO __________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: His military personnel records be changed to reflect his correct social security number (SSN). __________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: The Social Security Administration (SSA) initially issued him the wrong SSN and then changed it in 1982, after he was discharged from the Air Force. As a result, his military personnel records reflect the incorrect SSN. In support of his request, the applicant provides copies of his DD 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, and correspondence from the SSA. The applicant’s complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A. __________________________________________________________________ STATEMENT OF FACTS: The applicant’s military personnel records indicate he enlisted in the Regular Air Force on 18 Aug 76. On 17 Aug 80, the applicant was released from active duty in the grade of staff sergeant (E-5) with an honorable service characterization. He was credited with four years of total active service. On 8 Mar 10, AFPC/DPSIRP notified the applicant of their decision to deny his request, indicating the SSN in which he enlisted, served, and was discharged under, was not erroneously recorded. Therefore, the Air Force was unable to amend his military record after the fact. __________________________________________________________________ AIR FORCE EVALUATION: AFPC/DPSIRP recommends denial, indicating that IAW AFI 36-3608, Military Personnel Records System, Table A7, the Air Force can make changes to prior service personnel records if the data in question was recorded in error by the Air Force. The applicant’s SSN does not appear to have been erroneously recorded in his service records. Additionally, because the applicant has no continuing affiliation with the Air Force as a Reserve member or retiree, there is no basis to amend his record after the fact. A complete copy of the AFPC/DPSIRP evaluation is at Exhibit C. __________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: In response to the Air Force evaluation, the applicant provided copies of two SSA letters indicating that his SSA records reflect that his Air Force earnings from 1978 to 1980 were posted to his record in 1986 with a Corrected W-2 FICA and that they were unable to locate his military service within their system using the DD 214 he provided because it is listed under the incorrect SSN. A complete copy of the applicant’s response, including attachments, is at Exhibit E. __________________________________________________________________ THE BOARD CONCLUDES THAT: 1. The applicant has not exhausted all remedies provided by existing law or regulations. 2. The application was not timely filed; however, it is in the interest of justice to excuse the failure to timely file. 3. Insufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the existence of an error or injustice. The applicant contends the Social Security Administration (SSA) issued him an erroneous social security number (SSN) which is reflected in his military records; however, we are not convinced that corrective action is warranted at this time. In this respect, we note that while the applicant has provided correspondence from the SSA indicating that his earnings which correspond to the time frame of the service reflected in the military records were recorded under an erroneous SSN, the documentation provided is not sufficient for us to verify with certainty that the military records in question are indeed those of the applicant. In this respect, we note that while the applicant’s contentions are indeed plausible, because the SSN is in dispute and he has a somewhat common name, without additional corroborating evidence, we cannot rule-out the possibility of identity theft in this case. We also note the SSA has advised the applicant may request verification from them that substantiates the SSN reflected in the records was somehow associated with him during the period of service documented in the military records by submitting a signed SSA Form 3288, along with a $29.00 verification fee. Should the applicant provide said verification from SSA, we would be willing to reconsider his request based on new evidence. Therefore, in view of the above, we find no basis to disturb the existing record. __________________________________________________________________ THE BOARD DETERMINES THAT: The applicant be notified the evidence presented did not demonstrate the existence of material error or injustice; the application was denied without a personal appearance; and the application will only be reconsidered upon the submission of newly discovered relevant evidence not considered with this application. __________________________________________________________________ The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2012-02897 in Executive Session on 7 Feb 13 and rendered decision on 8 Mar 13, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603: , Panel Chair , Member , Member The following documentary evidence pertaining to AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2012-02897 was considered: Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 20 Jun 12, w/atch. Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Personnel Records. Exhibit C. Letter, AFPC/DPSIRP, dated 7 Aug 12. Exhibit D. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 22 Aug 12. Exhibit E. Letters, SSA, dated 10 Jan 13 and 15 Jan 10.