MEMORANDUM OF CONSIDERATION

	IN THE CASE OF:       

	BOARD DATE:           26 March 2002
	DOCKET NUMBER:   AR2001063164

	I certify that hereinafter is recorded the record of consideration of the Army Board for Correction of Military Records in the case of the above-named individual.

	Mr. Carl W. S. Chun		Director	
	Mrs. Carolyn G. Wade		Analyst	

  The following members, a quorum, were present:

	Mr. George D. Paxson		Chairperson	
	Ms. Deborah S. Jacobs		Member	
	Mr. Ronald E. Blakely		Member	

	The Board, established pursuant to authority contained in 10 U.S.C. 1552, convened at the call of the Chairperson on the above date.  In accordance with Army Regulation 15-185, the application and the available military records pertinent to the corrective action requested were reviewed to determine whether to authorize a formal hearing, recommend that the records be corrected without a formal hearing, or to deny the application without a formal hearing if it is determined that insufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the existence of probable material error or injustice.

	The applicant requests correction of military records as stated in the application to the Board and as restated herein.

	The Board considered the following evidence:

	Exhibit A - Application for correction of military 
                records
	Exhibit B - Military Personnel Records (including
	            advisory opinion, if any)

APPLICANT REQUESTS:  That the Social Security Account Number (SSAN) that appears in his military records and on his DD Form 214 (Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge) be changed to a different number.  

APPLICANT STATES:  In effect, that he did not have a SSAN when he enlisted and that he received a “temporary SSAN.”  This SSAN shall hereafter be referred to as SSAN #1.  Later, he received his permanent SSAN (hereafter referred to as SSAN #2), but he forgot to tell the Army to make the necessary change.  He said that he wants the change made so that he may process Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) claims and receive educational benefits.  In support of his application, he submits a copy of his Las Vegas Municipal Police Department (LVMPD) Sheriff’s Card [unarmed security identification card], his LVMPD Non-Gaming identification card, his State of Nevada identification card, Social Security card, and VA identification card.  He also submits a letter from his VA caseworker on his behalf.

EVIDENCE OF RECORD:  The applicant's military records show:

He enlisted in the Regular Army on 26 May 1970 for a period of 3 years.  All of his enlistment documents reflect SSAN #1 as his SSAN.  On 10 June 1971, the applicant was honorably discharged for the purpose of immediate reenlistment.  On 11 June 1971, at Quang Tri Combat Base, Republic of Vietnam, he reenlisted for a period of 6 years.  His reenlistment paperwork also reflects SSAN #1 as his SSAN.

Following his reenlistment, the applicant’s conduct was marred by repeated disciplinary infractions.  On 10 August 1973, he was discharged from the Army under the provisions of Army Regulation 635-200 by reason of apathy with a general, under honorable conditions discharge.  He was credited with 3 years and 8 days of creditable military service.  The SSAN on his DD Form 214 was reflected as SSAN #1.

DISCUSSION:  Considering all the evidence, allegations, and information presented by the applicant, together with the evidence of record, applicable law and regulations, it is concluded:

1.  In order to justify correction of a military record, the applicant must show to the satisfaction of the Board, or it must otherwise satisfactorily appear, that the record is in error or unjust.  The applicant has failed to submit evidence that would satisfy this requirement.

2.  The evidence of record confirms that the applicant served in the Army using SSAN #1 during his entire period of service.  SSAN #1 is listed in the applicant’s enlistment/reenlistment contracts and in the records created upon his enlistment in the Army and maintained throughout his active duty tenure in the Army.

3.  For historical purposes, the Army has an interest in maintaining the accuracy of its records.  The data and information contained in those records should actually reflect the conditions and circumstances that existed at the time the records were created.  In this case, the SSAN recorded in the applicant’s enlistment/reenlistment contracts, the military records created upon his enlistment/reenlistment in the Army, and in all documents published during his active duty tenure in the Army consistently reflects SSAN #1.

4.  Lacking independent verification from the Social Security Administration that confirms that the SSAN recorded in the applicant’s Army record was in error at the time it was used, the Board finds no error in the existing Army military records and no basis for changing those records.

5.  Finally, the applicant is advised that for clarity purposes, this decisional document along with supporting material will be filed in his Official Military Personnel File (OMPF).  This should serve to prevent any confusion created by the difference between SSAN #1 and SSAN #2.

6.  In view of the foregoing, there is no basis for granting the applicant's request.

DETERMINATION:  The applicant has failed to submit sufficient relevant evidence to demonstrate the existence of probable error or injustice.

BOARD VOTE:

________  ________  ________  GRANT

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

__GDP__  ___DSJ__  __REB__  DENY APPLICATION

		    Carl W. S. Chun
		    Director, Army Board for Correction
    of Military Records

INDEX

CASE ID	AR2001063164	
SUFFIX		
RECON		
DATE BOARDED	20020326	
TYPE OF DISCHARGE	GD	
DATE OF DISCHARGE	19730810	
DISCHARGE AUTHORITY	AR 635-200	
DISCHARGE REASON	Apathy	
BOARD DECISION	DENY	
REVIEW AUTHORITY	Director	
ISSUES         1.	100.0900	
2.		
3.		
4.		
5.		
6.