IN THE CASE OF: 

		BOARD DATE: 8 December 2015

		DOCKET NUMBER:  20150005741


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 correct social security number (SSN).

2.  The applicant states, in effect, that his SSN as shown on his DD Form 214 has one incorrect digit. 

3.  The applicant provides copies of:

* DD Form 214, effective 7 November 1967 
* Social Security Card issued on 16 August 2007
* Medicare Health Insurance Card
* State of Alabama Driver License issued 12 February 2015
* Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Letter, dated 17 November 2014
* VA Letter, dated 17 March 2015

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 military records are not available for review.  A fire destroyed approximately 18 million service member's records at the National Personnel Records Center in 1973.  It is believed that his records were lost or destroyed in that fire.  However, a reconstructed file contains a copy of his DD Form 214, which is sufficient for the Board to conduct a fair and impartial review of this specific request.

3.  On 3 February 1966, the applicant was inducted into the Army of the United States.  At the time, Soldiers were issued a service number.  The individual’s SSN was not used for managing or identification purposes.

4.  At the time of the applicant’s release from active duty, the SSN was being recorded on the DD Form 214.  A comparison of the applicant’s DD Form 214 and his social security card show that one of the digits on his DD Form 214 is different.

5.  Army Regulation 635-5 (Separation Documents), as then in effect, required the SSN to be entered in Item 3 of the DD Form 214.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS:

1.  The applicant contends his DD Form 214 should be corrected to show his SSN as indicated on his social security card.

2.  The available evidence of record shows the applicant’s SSN with one digit different.  Unfortunately, there are no other documents in his available military record for the Board to review and make a determination as to what SSN the applicant actually provided while on active duty.

3.  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.

4.  The applicant is advised that a copy of this decisional document, along with his application will be filed in his official military personnel file.  This should serve to clarify any questions or confusion regarding his SSN, and satisfy his desire to have his current SSN documented in his record.

5.  In view of the above, the applicant’s request should be denied.
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)                                         AR20130002706



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ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont)                                         AR20150005741


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