IN THE CASE OF: BOARD DATE: 17 October 2017 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20160004594 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: 17 October 2017 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20160004594 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: 17 October 2017 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20160004594 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 social security number (SSN) as "3XX-XX-xxxx" instead of "7XX-XX-xxxx." 2. The applicant states that the SSN recorded in item 32 (Remarks) of his DD Form 214 (Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge) is incorrect. 3. The applicant provides a copy of his DD Form 214 and Social Security card. 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 (RA) on 31 March 1962. At the time he enlisted, the U.S. Armed Forces did not use the SSN for identification. He was issued a service number (SN). 3. His DA Form 20 (Enlisted Qualification Record), in pertinent part, shows in: * item 1 (Name and SN): RA XX XXX xxx * item 34 (Remarks), the entry "SSAN:" [Social Security Account Number] and the following two entries: * "4XX-XX-xxxx" (is lined-thru/deleted) * "7XX-XX-xxxx" 4. His DA Form 24 (Service Record) shows in the Name and SN block his SN and SSN, as follows: * "RA XX XXX xxx" * "7XX-XX-xxxx" 5. A DD Form 214 shows the applicant entered active duty on 31 March 1962 and he was discharged under honorable conditions on 27 April 1964. He had completed 2 years and 7 days of net active service this period. It also shows, in pertinent part, in: * item 2 (SN): "RA XX XXX xxx" * item 32: "SSAN: 7XX XX xxxx" * item 34 (Signature of Person Being Transferred or Discharged), the applicant placed his signature on the form 6. In support of his application the applicant provides a copy of his Social Security card, issued on 16 July 2009, that shows his SSN as "3XX-XX-xxxx." REFERENCES: Army Regulation 635-5 (Personnel Separations - Separation Documents), in effect at the time of the applicant's separation from active duty, prescribed policies and procedures regarding separation documents. It also established standardized policy for preparing and distributing the DD Form 214. Section III (Instructions for Preparation and Distribution of the Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge) shows all available records will be used as a basis for the preparation of the DD Form 214, including the Enlisted Qualification Record, Officer Qualification Record, and orders. The instructions for item 32 show, in pertinent part, transcribe the SSAN from the service record as follows, "SSAN: 000-00-0000." DISCUSSION: 1. The applicant contends that his military service records should be corrected to show his SSN as "3XX-XX-9463" instead of the SSN "7XX-XX-xxxx." 2. The applicant enlisted in the RA and he was issued a SN. At some point, a SSN was incorrectly recorded in his military records as "4XX-XX-xxxx" and then corrected to "7XX-XX-xxxx." a. The SSN "7XX-XX-xxxx" is consistently recorded in his military service records as his SSN. b. The DD Form 214 he was issued when he was discharged on 27 April 1964 shows his SSN as "7XX-XX-xxxx." This is the SSN he declared and verified as his SSN throughout the period of his military service, including when he was discharged. 3. The social security card the applicant provides as evidence in support of his request is not, in and of itself, a basis for correcting his military service records. 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 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. 5. Considering all the evidence and information presented by the applicant, together with the evidence of record and regulations, there is no clear indication that his military records reflect anything other than the information that was available at the time those records were created. 6. The applicant is advised that a copy of this decisional document will be filed in his Official Military Personnel File. This should serve to clarify any questions or confusion in regard to the difference in the SSN recorded in his military record and that shown on the social security card he provided in support of his request. //NOTHING FOLLOWS// ABCMR Record of Proceedings AR20150000953 Enclosure 1