IN THE CASE OF: BOARD DATE: 10 May 2012 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20110022722 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 first name be changed from J----e to B------d. 2. He states his first name is B-----d and his middle name is J-----e. 3. He provides: * DD form 214 (Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge) * Social Security Card 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 6 May 1968 under the name of J----e B. S-----y. The DD Form 47 (Record of Induction) prepared upon his entry lists his name as J----e B. S-----y. 3. All of the official documents contained in his official military personnel file (OMPF) list his name as it is recorded on his DD Form 98 (Armed Forces Security Questionnaire) and attested to by his signature as J----e B-----d S-----y. 4. On 25 January 1970, he was discharged after completing 1 year, 8 months, and 10 days of active military service. Item 1 (Name) of the DD Form 214 lists his name as J----e B. S-----y. 5. The social security card he submitted shows the name B------d J. S------y. 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 states, in pertinent part, 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. The regulation also establishes standardized policy for the preparation of the DD Form 214 and contains preparation instructions in chapter 2. The instructions for completing item 1 (Name) state to enter the name as it is recorded in the military record. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: 1. While the applicant's desire to change his military records and his DD Form 214 to reflect his current name is understood, the available evidence shows he entered, served, and was separated from active duty under the name that is listed on his DD Form 214 and all other documents in his OMPF. 2. 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. There appears to be no compelling reason to compromise the integrity of the Army’s records by changing his name at this late date. 3. In order to justify correction of a military record the applicant must show, or it must otherwise satisfactorily appear, that the record is in error or unjust. The applicant has failed to submit evidence that would satisfy this requirement. In absence of evidence to the contrary, the preponderance of evidence in the available records supports presumption of regularity in the personnel records maintenance process. 4. This Record of Proceedings will be filed in his military record to provide clarity and to deal with any confusion that may arise regarding the difference in the name he used when he served on active duty and the name he currently uses. 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) AR20110022722 3 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 1 ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20110022722 3 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 1