IN THE CASE OF:	  

		BOARD DATE:	  26 February 2015

		DOCKET NUMBER:  AR20140012249 


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 records to show his first name as S__NON.

2.  The applicant states, in effect:

* he would like all his records to show his first name as S__NON
* it was bad judgment on his part

3.  The applicant provides no additional evidence.

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's DD Form 4 (Enlistment Contract – Armed Forces of the United States) shows his first name as S__MAN.  He enlisted in the U.S. Army Reserve (USAR) on 5 April 1975 for 6 years.

3.  He was ordered to active duty for training on 15 July 1975 and he was released from active duty on 30 October 1975.  His DD Form 214 (Report of Separation from Active Duty) shows his first name as S__MAN.

4.  On 4 April 1981, he was honorably discharged from the USAR.  His discharge orders show his first name as S__MAN.

5.  His service personnel records show his first name as S__MAN.

6.  Army Regulation 635-5 (Separation Documents), in effect at the time, prescribed the separation documents prepared for Soldiers upon retirement, discharge, or release from active military service or control of the Army.  It established standardized policy for preparation of the DD Form 214.  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.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS:

1.  For historical purposes, the Army has an interest in maintaining the integrity of its records.  The data and information contained in those records should actually 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.

2.  The applicant's DD Form 4 and other service personnel records show his first name as S__MAN.  It appears he served exclusively under the first name S__MAN.  While his desire to have his military records changed to show the first name he now uses is understandable, there is no basis for compromising the integrity of the Army's records, in particular, his DD Form 214.



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 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)                                         AR20140012249



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ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont)                                         AR20140012249



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