IN THE CASE OF:	  

		BOARD DATE:	  18 January 2012

		DOCKET NUMBER:  AR20110013150 


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 DD Form 214 (Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge) to show his date of birth (DOB) as XX January .

2.  The applicant states his DOB should read XX January , not XX January .

3.  The applicant provides:

* birth certificate
* driver's license
* DD Form 214

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.  The applicant's enlisted in the Regular Army on 16 September 1964 for a period of 3 years.  His DD Form 398 (Statement of Personal History), dated 14 September 1964, and his enlistment record show his DOB as XX January .  He served as a construction machine operator in Vietnam.  On 15 September 1967, he was released from active duty and he was transferred to the U.S. Army Reserve Control Group (Reinforcement) to complete his remaining service obligation.

3.  Item 9 (DOB) of his DD Form 214 shows his DOB as XX January .

4.  All of the applicant's service personnel records show his DOB as XX January .

5.  He provides a birth certificate and Texas driver's license that show his DOB as XX January .

6.  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.  All documents in the applicant's service personnel record containing a DOB show the date as XX January , which he now claims is incorrect.

2.  Although the birth certificate and driver's license provided by the applicant show his DOB as XX January , the evidence of record shows he reported his DOB as XX January .  It appears he appropriately served in and he was released from active duty using the DOB of XX January .

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 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 DOB in his military records, there is not a sufficiently compelling reason for compromising the integrity of the Army's records at this late date.

4.  The applicant is advised that a copy of this decisional document along which confirms his correct DOB will be filed in his official military personnel file (OMPF).  This should serve to clarify any questions or confusion in regard to the different DOB recorded in his military record and to satisfy his desire to have his correct DOB documented in his OMPF.

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 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)                                         AR20110013150



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ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont)                                         AR20110013150



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