IN THE CASE OF: BOARD DATE: 11 July 2013 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20120022868 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 21 (Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge) to show his Social Security Number (SSN) as "5xx-0x-xxx" as listed on his Social Security card. 2. The applicant states he did not have an SSN when he enlisted in the Army so the Army gave him an SSN that was for another Soldier. While at a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Center appointment a receptionist noted the discrepancy with his SSN and advised him to go to the Social Security Administration (SSA) where they gave him his correct SSN as "5xx-0x-xxx. 3. The applicant provides a copy of his DD Form 21 and unsigned 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 28 March 1968. 3. A review of every document contained in the applicant's military personnel record shows he served under SSN "5xx-1x-0xxx" throughout his tenure of service. . The applicant provided a copy of an unsigned Social Security card bearing his same name that lists his SSN as "5xx-0x-xxx." 5. 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. This regulation establishes standardized policy for the preparation of the DD Form 21. The regulation in effect at the time of the applicant's separation stated the complete name and SSN of the separating service member would be entered on the DD Form 21. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: 1. Although the applicant requests to correct his DD Form 21 to show his SSN as it is listed on his Social Security card, all of the documents in his military service record shows he served in the Army using the SSN as listed on his DD Form 21. 2. The available evidence does not show he used the SSN listed on his Social Security card during the time he served on active duty. 3. 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 the applicant desires to now record the requested 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. . The applicant is advised that a copy of this decisional document will be filed in his Army Military Human Resource Record (AMHRR), formerly known as the Official Military personnel File (OMPF). This should serve to clarify any questions or confusion in regard to the SSN recorded in his military records and to satisfy his desire to have his requested SSN documented in his AMHRR. 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) AR20120022868 3 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 1 ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20120022868 3 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 1