BOARD DATE: 2 May 2017 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20150019184 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 BOARD DATE: 2 May 2017 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20150019184 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. BOARD DATE: 2 May 2017 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20150019184 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 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) to show his social security number (SSN) as "624-XX-XXXX" instead of "XXX-XX-XXXX." 2. The applicant states upon discharge, his SSN was compromised and the Social Security Administration issued him a new SSN. He requests this correction so that he may receive a Certificate of Eligibility for a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) home loan. He states the VA cannot issue or approve the action with the current invalid SSN. 3. The applicant provides: * social security card * Driver License * DD Form 2 (Armed Forces of the United States Geneva Conventions Identification Card) * a letter 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 4 March 1987. 3. A review of the documents contained in his available military personnel record, many of which bear his signature, shows his SSN consistently appears as "XXX-XX-XXXX." 4. The Army released him from active duty on 16 August 1991. Item 3 (SSN) of his DD Form 214 shows his SSN as "XXX-XX-XXXX" and this document bears his signature. 5. The applicant provides a copy of his social security card and a letter from the Social Security Administration, which lists his SSN as "624-XX-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 evidence of record shows the applicant's SSN consistently appeared as "536-XX-XXXX" on documents in his available military record. He authenticated his DD Form 214 and several of these documents requiring his signature by placing his signature in the appropriate blocks. 2. 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. 3. Based on the information that he provided from the Social Security Administration, his SSN is currently "624-XX-XXXX"; however, he did not use this SSN during his military service. 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 the records creation. 4. A copy of this decisional document will be filed in his official record. 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) AR20150019184 2 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS Enclosure 1 ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20150019184 3 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS Enclosure 2