IN THE CASE OF:	  

		BOARD DATE:	  25 February 2010

		DOCKET NUMBER:  AR20090016604 


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 that his social security number (SSN) be corrected in his Army records.

2.  The applicant states, in effect, that the Army records show an incorrect SSN.

3.  The applicant provides photocopies of his social security card, his driver's license, and his DD Form 214 (Report of Separation from Active Duty) in support of his request.

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, 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.  On 25 April 1975 the applicant enlisted in the U.S. Army Reserve using the only SSN shown in all of his associated Army records.  He entered initial active duty for training on 7 March 1976 and was discharged on 9 December 1976 for unsuitability.

3.  Army Regulation 635-5 (Separation Documents) provides, in pertinent part,  line-by-line instructions for completing the DD Form 214.  The regulation then in effect required that the SSN was to be obtained from the individual's social security card if it was available.  If the social security card was not available the SSN was to be obtained from the available service records.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS:

1.  The applicant states that his Army records show an incorrect SSN.

2.  There is no evidence that suggests the applicant has or would suffer any injury or injustice as a result of the Army maintaining its records with the SSN under which he served.  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, this Board is reluctant to recommend that those records be changed.  While it is understandable the applicant desires to now record his current SSN in his military records, there is not a sufficiently compelling reason for compromising the integrity of the Army's records at this late date.

3.  The applicant is advised that a copy of this decisional document along with his application and the evidence he provided, which purports to show his correct SSN, will be filed in his official military personnel file (OMPF).  This should serve to help clarify any questions or confusion in regard to the difference in the SSN recorded in his military record and to satisfy his desire to have his correct SSN documented in his OMPF.

4.  In view of the above, there is no basis for granting the requested relief.

BOARD VOTE:

________  ________  ________  GRANT FULL RELIEF 

________  ________  ________  GRANT PARTIAL RELIEF 

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

____X___  ____X___  ____X__  DENY APPLICATION

BOARD DETERMINATION/RECOMMENDATION:

The evidence presented does not demonstrate the existence of a probable error or injustice.  Therefore, the Board determined that 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.

ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont)                                         AR20090016604



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ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont)                                         AR20090016604



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