IN THE CASE OF: BOARD DATE: 5 July 2011 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20110000339 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 all of his Army records to show his first name as "J*** Terry" vice "Terry Z***." 2. The applicant states he had a legal name change and wants all of his records corrected to save confusion at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). 3. The applicant provides a State of North Carolina court order, driver's license, and a VA identification card. CONSIDERATION OF EVIDENCE: 1. The applicant's records show he enlisted in the Regular Army on 22 October 1979 and he held military occupational specialty 64C (Motor Transport Operator). 2. His DD Form 4 (Enlistment/Reenlistment Document - Armed Forces of the United States), dated 22 October 1979, listed his first name as "Terry Z***." He authenticated this form by placing his signature in the appropriate block using this first name. 3. The DA Form 2-1 (Personnel Qualification Record) that was created at the time he entered the Army shows his first name as "Terry Z***." He reviewed this form at a later date and authenticated it by placing his signature in item 34 (Signature) using this first name. 4. His records contain numerous personnel, finance, medical, and legal documents including a record of a Servicemen’s Group Life Insurance Election, assignment orders, and various other orders that show his first name as "Terry Z***." 5. He was honorably released from active duty on 21 October 1982 and he was transferred to the U.S. Army Reserve Control Group to complete his remaining Reserve obligation. He completed 3 years of creditable active service. The DD Form 214 he was issued shows his first name as "Terry Z***." 6. The applicant provides a State of North Carolina court order, dated 17 August 2010, that shows he had a legal first name change from "Terry Z***" to "J*** Terry" effective 17 August 2010. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: 1. The evidence of records shows that upon enlistment in the Army on 22 October 1979, the applicant listed his first name as "Terry Z***." This first name is consistent with the first name he used on various documents throughout his period of military service. He authenticated several documents by placing his signature in the appropriate block indicating his name was correct. He did not use the first name that he now claims during his period of military service. 2. The Army has an interest in maintaining the accuracy of its records for historical purposes. The information in those records must reflect the conditions and circumstances that existed at the time the records were created. In the absence of compelling information to the contrary, there is no basis for changing the applicant’s first name in this case. However, a copy of this Record of Proceedings will be filed in his Official Military Personnel File to explain the difference between his current name and his name of record. 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) AR20110000339 3 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 1 ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20110000339 3 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 1