RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2014-02427 COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: NO APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: His name be changed on his DD Form 214, Report of Separation from the Armed Forces of the United States. APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: He grew up only knowing his last name as . When he enlisted at the age of 17, he discovered his real birth name when he provided his birth certificate to his recruiter. This was the first time his birth name, , was revealed to him. He served in the Air Force for four years, under the name , and has lived the rest of his life as . Because the Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) only recognizes his identity as , he needs his military record corrected to receive DVA home loan eligibility. The applicant’s complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A. STATEMENT OF FACTS: On 5 Oct 50, the applicant initially entered the Regular Air Force and served on active duty until he was honorably discharged on 4 Oct 54. On 16 Dec 13, AFPC/DPSIDR informed the applicant his name change request could not be approved. On 24 Mar 15, the applicant was forwarded a copy of the SAF/MR memorandum, dated 9 Mar 15, that was provided in order to comply with 10 U.S.C. §1556. Specifically, the memorandum notes that the DD Form 214 is a document primarily created for the benefit of the veteran to establish entitlement to various government programs or in seeking employment with organizations that grant a veterans' preference. However, any such name change should be limited only to the DD Form 214; any change to an applicant's other records to reflect a post-service name change should rarely be recommended, and only in the most unusual cases. The AFBCMR should require proof that the applicant's name was legally changed. A signed and authenticated court order should be required. Further, the correction should be to the DD Form 214 and for the limited purposes of mitigating an injustice caused by use of the DD Form 214. The remaining relevant facts pertaining to this application are contained in the memorandum prepared by the Air Force office of primary responsibility (OPR), which is attached at Exhibit C. AIR FORCE EVALUATION: AFPC/DPSIRP recommends denial indicating there is no evidence of an error or an injustice. AFI 36-2608, Military Personnel Records System, states "Do not correct records of former members unless evidence proves the name used while serving with the Air Force was erroneously recorded." A review of the applicant's records revealed he enlisted, served, and was discharged under the last name “ ." The birth certificate reflecting his name change is dated after he was discharged; therefore, it does not appear his last name was recorded erroneously during his service. A complete copy of the AFPC/DPSIRP evaluation is at Exhibit C. APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: A copy of the Air Force evaluation was forwarded to the applicant on 4 Aug 14 for review and comment within 30 days (Exhibit D). As of this date, no response has been received by this office. THE BOARD CONCLUDES THAT: 1. The applicant has 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. Sufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the existence of an injustice. We took notice of the applicant's complete submission in judging the merits of the case. While the Board notes the comment from AFPC/DPSIRP that the applicant enlisted, served, and was separated under his former name, we believe the information provided in the applicant’s request establishes an injustice. It is the board’s opinion, should the applicant present a DD Form 214 with his former name to external audiences, the applicant’s circumstances would require him to disclose personal history that is needlessly intrusive, thereby constituting an injustice. Further, we note the applicant has provided sufficient evidence of a formal name change, as reflected on his passport, birth certificate, college transcripts, and social security card. Therefore, we recommend the applicant’s record be corrected as indicated below. THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT: The applicant’s original DD Form 214, Report of Separation from the Armed Forces of the United States, be removed and a new DD Form 214 be issued to reflect the name of “ ” in Block 1. The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2014-02427 in Executive Session on 23 Apr 15 under the provisions of AFI 36-2603: , Panel Chair , Member , Member The following documentary evidence was considered: Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 18 Apr 14, w/atchs. Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Personnel Records. Exhibit C. Memorandum, AFPC/DPSIRP, dated 25 Jun 14. Exhibit D. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 4 Aug 14.