IN THE CASE OF: BOARD DATE: 2 February 2012 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20110017669 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 her DD Form 214 (Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge) be corrected to show that the eighth digit of her Social Security Number (SSN) is a “2”. 2. The applicant states that her DD Form 214 incorrectly reflects that the eighth digit of her SSN is a “3” instead of a “2”. 3. The applicant provides a copy of her 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 enlisted in the Women’s Army Corp (WAC) of the Regular Army in Phoenix, Arizona on 23 August 1965 for a period of 3 years and training as a clerk-typist. At the time of her enlistment she was issued an Army Service Number and she indicated that her SSN contained a “3” in the eighth digit. 3. She completed all of her training at Fort McClellan, Alabama and was transferred to Headquarters, Fifth Army in Chicago, Illinois on 29 January 1966. She was assigned to the WAC Detachment which was located in the Del Prado Hotel in Chicago. 4. She served until she was honorably discharged on 16 August 1966 due to pregnancy. She had served 11 months and 24 days of active service and her DD Form 214 issued at the time of her discharge shows that her SSN contained a “3” as the eighth digit. 5. On 1 July 1969, the Army discontinued the issuance and use of the Army service number and began using the SSN for identification. Prior to 1 July 1969, service members were not required to maintain a SSN in their records; however, they were usually recorded when provided by the individual Soldier. 6. Army Regulation 635-5 (Separation Documents) serves as the authority for the preparation of the DD Form 214. It provides that the DD Form 214 will be prepared to reflect information as it exists in the official records at the time of separation. Changes that occur subsequent to the date the DD Form 214 is issued are not authorized for entry on the DD Form 214. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: 1. At the time the applicant enlisted in the WAC she provided a SSN containing a “3” as the eighth digit and she continued to maintain that SSN during her entire period of service. Although the applicant has not provided any evidence to show that her SSN is incorrectly recorded on her DD Form 214, the SSN on her DD Form 214 is the one she served under. 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 that the applicant desires to now record her current SSN in her 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 which confirms her contentions of what her current SSN is will be filed in her official military personnel file (OMPF). This should serve to clarify any questions or confusion in regard to the difference in the SSN recorded in his military record and satisfy her desire to have her current SSN documented in her 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 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) AR20110017669 3 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 1 ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20110017669 2 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 1