IN THE CASE OF:	  

		BOARD DATE:  15 March 2012

		DOCKET NUMBER:  AR20110019025 


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, in effect, correction of her DD Form 214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) for the period ending 30 April 2010 to show her last name as "Stephens" instead of "Everette."

2.  The applicant states she got married on 13 July 2011 and desires her last name to be changed in her military records.

3.  The applicant provides a copy of her marriage license and her DD Form 214.

CONSIDERATION OF EVIDENCE:

1.  The applicant enlisted in the Regular Army (RA) on 10 May 1984 for a period of 4 years.  She served until she was honorably released from active duty (REFRAD) on 18 April 1991.

2.  She again enlisted in the RA on 15 March 1996 and she continued to serve until she was retired by reason of sufficient service for retirement on 30 April 2010 in the rank/grade of master sergeant (MSG)/E-8.  She was placed on the Retired List effective 1 May 2010.  She served 21 years and 25 days of creditable active service.  Item 1 (Name) of the DD Form 214 she was issued at the time shows her last name as "Everette," the last name she was serving under at the time of her retirement.


3.  Her DD Form 214 also shows that she served under three different last names during her career.  Evidence provided by the applicant shows she married D----- P------ Stephens on 13 July 2011.

4.  Army Regulation 635-5 serves as the authority for the preparation of the
DD Form 214.  It provides, in pertinent part, that the DD Form 214 will be prepared to reflect information that is current as of the effective date of separation.
 
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS:

1.  The applicant’s record reflects the name she served under up until the time of her retirement.  The fact that she married and changed her name after her retirement does not serve as a basis to alter her records to reflect information that was not in effect at the time of her retirement.  She did not serve under her current name at any time during her military career.

2.  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 her new last name 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 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 name recorded in her military records and to satisfy her desire to have her new last name documented in her OMPF.

4.  In view of the foregoing, there is no basis for granting the applicant's request.

BOARD VOTE:

________  ________  ________  GRANT FULL RELIEF 

________  ________  ________  GRANT PARTIAL RELIEF 

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

___X____  ___X ___  ___X____  DENY APPLICATION
BOARD DETERMINATION/RECOMMENDATION:

1. 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.

2.  The Board wants the applicant and all others concerned to know that this action in no way diminishes the sacrifices made by the applicant in service to the United States during the Global War on Terrorism.  The applicant and all Americans should be justifiably proud of her service in arms.



      _______ _   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)                                         AR20110019025



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ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont)                                         AR20110019025



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