IN THE CASE OF: BOARD DATE: 24 May 2012 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20110022187 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 first name as Santiago, not Jimmy. 2. The applicant states when asked for his first name he gave the name "Jimmy" instead of his birth name of "Santiago." 3. The applicant provides: * his Social Security Card * his Texas Driver License * his birth certificate 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 for 2 years on 18 November 1968. He served 2 years and was honorably released from active duty on 17 November 1970. His DD Form 214 shows his first name as Jimmy. 3. Every document in the applicant's service record shows his first name as Jimmy. There is no document showing his first name as Santiago. 4. Army Regulation 635-5 (Separation Documents) prescribes the separation documents that must be prepared for Soldiers on retirement, discharge, or release from active duty service or control of the Active Army. It establishes standardized policy for preparing and distributing the DD Form 214. The DD Form 214 is a summary of a Soldier's most recent period of continuous active duty. It provides a brief, clear-cut record of active duty service at the time of release from active duty. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: 1. All documents in the applicant's OMPF reflect his first name as Jimmy. The applicant now provides evidence showing his first name is Santiago. 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 that the applicant desires to now record the correct first name 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. Lacking convincing independent and verifiable evidence to the contrary, it is presumed that the applicant's military service records, including his DD Form 214, were correct at the time and there is insufficient evidence to grant him relief in this case. 4. The applicant is advised that a copy of this decisional document will be filed in his service record. This should serve to clarify any questions or confusion in regard to the different first name recorded in his military record and to satisfy his desire to have his correct first name documented in his record. 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) AR20110022187 3 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 1 ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20110022187 2 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 1