IN THE CASE OF: BOARD DATE: 8 December 2011 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20110012952 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 his social security number (SSN). 2. The applicant states the last four digits of his SSN on his DD Form 214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) are incorrect. 3. The applicant provides a copy of his DD Form 214 and a social security card. 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, and 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. The applicant enlisted in the Regular Army on 17 September 1981, and held the military occupational specialties 64C (motor Transport Operator) and 94B (Food Service Specialist). 3. His records contain the following documents which show his SSN as “XXX-XX-4991”: * DD Forms 4 (Enlistment/Reenlistment Document Armed Forces Of The United States) * SGLV 8286 (Servicemen’s Group Life Insurance Election) * 2 DA Forms 2-1 (Enlisted Qualification Record) * 2 DD Forms 214 4. The applicant submitted a copy of a social security card that contains his name and SSN "XXX-XX-4669." 5. Army Regulation 635-5 (Separation Documents) prescribes the separation documents prepared for Soldiers upon retirement, discharge, or release from active military service or control of the Army. It establishes standardized policy for the preparation of the DD Form 214. It states that the DD Form 214 is a synopsis of the Soldier's most recent period of continuous active duty. It provides a brief, clear-cut record of active Army service at the time of release from active duty, retirement, or discharge. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: 1. The available evidence shows the applicant’s SSN appears continuously as “XXX-XX-4991” in his military record. He authenticated several documents by placing his signature in the appropriate blocks, indicating this was his correct SSN. 2. For historical purposes, the Army has an interest in maintaining the integrity 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, there is a reluctance to recommend that those records be changed. While it is understandable the applicant desires to now record his correct 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. Therefore, absent convincing, independent, and verifiable evidence to the contrary, it is presumed that the applicant's military service records, including the DD Form 214, were correct at the time and there is insufficient evidence to grant him relief in this case. 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) AR20110012952 3 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 1 ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20110012952 2 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 1