IN THE CASE OF: BOARD DATE: 18 April 2012 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20110021390 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 his DD Form 214 (Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge) be corrected to reflect the last four digits of his social security number (SSN) as "48." 2. The applicant states his DD Form 214 incorrectly reflects the last four digits of his SSN as “60.” 3. The applicant provides copies of his DD Form 214 and Social Security Card showing the last four digits as “48.” 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 was inducted into the Army of the United States on 15 February 1966. At the time of induction there was no requirement to enter an individual's SSN and thus he was issued an Army service number. However, the applicant provided an SSN that ended in the last four digits of “60.” 3. He completed basic and advanced individual training as an infantry direct fire crewman at Fort Campbell, Kentucky and initially remained at Fort Campbell for his first assignment. 4. On 2 September 1967, he was transferred to Fort Bragg, North Carolina for assignment to the 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment where he remained until he was honorably released from active duty (REFRAD) on 14 February 1968. He had served 2 years of active service and his DD Form 214 issued at the time of his REFRAD reflects the last four digits of his SSN as "60." 5. A review of his official records shows that all documents contained in his records that contain an SSN reflect the last four digits as "60." Additionally, all documents completed by the applicant also reflect the last four digits of his SSN as "60." 6. On 1 July 1969, the Army discontinued the issuance and use of the Army service numbers and began using the SSN for identification. Prior to 1 July 1969, service members were not required to maintain an SSN in their records; however, they were usually recorded when provided by the individual Soldier. 7. 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. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: 1. The evidence of record shows the applicant's SSN at the time of REFRAD contained the last four digits of "60." There is no evidence of record or independent evidence that suggests his military records exhibit a material error or injustice. The applicant has offered no explanation as to the difference in the SSN he used at the time he served in the military and the SSN he currently uses. 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 his current 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. The applicant is advised that a copy of this decisional document will be filed in his official military personnel file. This should serve to clarify any questions or confusion in regard to the difference in the SSN recorded in his military record and to satisfy his desire to have the requested SSN 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 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) AR20110021390 3 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 1 ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20110021390 2 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 1