BOARD DATE: 25 April 2017 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20150017732 BOARD VOTE: ___x______ ___x____ _x____ GRANT FULL RELIEF ________ ________ ________ GRANT PARTIAL RELIEF ________ ________ ________ GRANT FORMAL HEARING ________ ________ ________ DENY APPLICATION 2 Enclosures 1. Board Determination/Recommendation 2. Evidence and Consideration BOARD DATE: 25 April 2017 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20150017732 BOARD DETERMINATION/RECOMMENDATION: The Board determined the evidence presented was sufficient to warrant a recommendation for relief. As a result, the Board recommends that all Department of the Army records of the individual concerned be corrected by amending his DD Form 214 to show the social security number shown on his U.S. Army Reserve discharge orders. ___________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. BOARD DATE: 25 April 2017 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20150017732 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 social security number (SSN) as "XXX-XX-Xxxx" instead of "XXX-XX-Xxxx." 2. The applicant states he did not realize the error existed until he tried to file a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) claim. His Veterans Service Officer brought it to his attention. 3. The applicant provides copies of: * DD Form 256A (Honorable Discharge Certificate) * U.S. Army Reserve (USAR) Discharge Orders 06-1228443, dated 21 June 1972 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 29 July 1966. At the time the applicant enlisted, the U.S. Armed Forces did not use the SSN for identification. He was assigned a service number. 3. A DA Form 3027 (U. S. Request for National Agency Check), pertaining to the applicant and prepared on 6 August 1966, shows in item 4 (SSN) the entry "XXX-XX-Xxxx." 4. A DD Form 398 (Statement of Personal History), completed and signed by the applicant on 13 February 1967, shows in item 13 (SSN) the entry "XXX-XX-Xxxx." 5. He was honorably released from active duty on 1 May 1969. His DD Form 214 shows in Item 3 (SSN) “XXX-XX-Xxxx.” 6. The applicant provides copies of a discharge order and an Honorable Discharge Certificate showing the SSN he now claims is correct. 7. The majority of the documents in the applicant’s military personnel record shows an SSN with the number “XXX-XX-Xxxx.” REFERENCES: Army Regulation 635-5 (Separation Documents) at the time provided guidance on preparation of the DD Form 214. This regulation has historically stated that item 3 will contain the SSN taken from the Soldier's personnel record. DISCUSSION: 1. At the time of enlistment, the applicant provided the SSN that he now wants changed. 2. The available evidence indicates the applicant did, at some point after his release from active duty but prior to his discharge from the USAR, have his record corrected to show the SSN he now claims is correct. 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 his records be changed. 4. In this case, the evidence shows the applicant identified the erroneous SSN while he was serving in the USAR and had the error corrected. His DD Form 214 does not show the SSN under which he was discharged. //NOTHING FOLLOWS// ABCMR Record of Proceedings AR20150000953 Enclosure 1