IN THE CASE OF: BOARD DATE: 21 April 2016 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20150010730 BOARD VOTE: _________ _______ ________ GRANT FULL RELIEF ________ ________ ________ GRANT PARTIAL RELIEF ________ ________ ________ GRANT FORMAL HEARING ____X____ ____X__ ____X___ DENY APPLICATION 2 Enclosures 1. Board Determination/Recommendation 2. Evidence and Consideration IN THE CASE OF: BOARD DATE: 21 April 2016 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20150010730 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. IN THE CASE OF: BOARD DATE: 21 April 2016 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20150010730 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 (Report of Separation from Active Duty) to show his social security number (SSN) as "XXX-X4-XXXX" instead of "XXX-X9-XXXX." 2. The applicant states, in effect, he believes a typographical error occurred while completing his DD Form 214. He is applying for a Department of Veterans Affairs Home Loan and would like to avoid problems associated with his SSN. 3. The applicant provides a copy of his social security card and DD Form 214. 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 enlisted in the Regular Army on 22 April 1974. 3. A review of every document contained in his available military personnel record, many of which bear his signature, shows his SSN consistently appears as "XXX-X9-XXXX". 4. The Army honorably released him from active duty on 23 April 1976. Item 3 (SSN) of his DD Form 214 shows his SSN as "XXX-X9-XXXX" and this document bears his signature. 5. He provided a copy of his social security card, which lists his SSN as "XXX-X4-XXXX." REFERENCES: Army Regulation 635-5 (Separation Documents), in effect at the time of the applicant's separation, prescribed the separation documents prepared for Soldiers upon retirement, discharge, or release from active military service or control of the Army. This regulation established standardized policy for the preparation of the DD Form 214. It stated, in pertinent part, that the complete name and SSN of the separating service member would be entered on the DD Form 214. DISCUSSION: 1. The applicant contends the ABCMR should correct his military records to show his SSN as "XXX-X4-XXXX." 2. The evidence of record shows his SSN consistently appeared as "XXX-X9-XXXX" on every document in his available military records. He authenticated his DD Form 214 and several of these documents requiring his signature by placing his signature in the appropriate blocks. 3. Based on the provided social security card, his SSN is currently "XXX-X4-XXXX"; however, it is not the SSN he used when he served on active duty. The fact that his current SSN does not reflect the SSN listed in his records does not change the conditions and circumstances that existed at the time of records creation. 4. 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 of records creation. In the absence of a showing of material error or injustice, there is a reluctance to recommend changing those records. While it is understandable that the applicant desires correction of his military records to show his current SSN, there is not a sufficiently compelling reason for compromising the integrity of the Army’s records at this late date. 5. The ABCMR will file a copy of this decisional document in his Official Military Personnel File. This should serve to clarify any questions or confusion regarding the difference in the SSN recorded in his military record and the SSN he currently uses. //NOTHING FOLLOWS// ABCMR Record of Proceedings AR20150000953 Enclosure 1 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20150010730 2 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS Enclosure 1 ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20150010730 3 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS Enclosure 2