IN THE CASE OF: BOARD DATE: 28 November 2017 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20160004887 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: 28 November 2017 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20160004887 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: 28 November 2017 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20160004887 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 "XXX-XX-XXX8" instead of "XXX-XX-XXX0." 2. The applicant states the SSN recorded on his DD Form 214 (Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge) is incorrect. It is not the SSN he was issued; the entry appears to be the result of an administrative error. This correction will allow him to use his correct SSN to apply for government benefits. 3. The applicant provides copies 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's military service record is not available to the Board for review. A fire destroyed approximately 18 million service members' records at the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) in 1973. It is believed that the applicant's records were lost or destroyed in that fire. However, the information available from the NPRC and records provided by the applicant are sufficient for the Board to conduct a fair and impartial review of this case. 3. A Military Personnel Record (MPR) Registry Record request, submitted by the Army Review Boards Agency to NPRC, returned no records. The applicant's name ("P____, Conrad C") and service number (US "05X XXX XX7") is listed in the registry. The only other information on file are his date of entry into military service and date of discharge. 4. In support of his application the applicant provides the following documents. a. A DD Form 214 showing he was inducted into the U.S. Army on 27 January 1955, honorably released from active duty on 25 January 1957, and transferred to the U.S. Army Reserve Massachusetts Military District. He had completed 1 year, 11 months, and 29 days of net/total active service. It also shows, in pertinent part: * item 2 (Service Number): US 5X XXX XX7 * item 32 (Remarks): SSN: XXX-XX-XXX0 * item 34 (Signature of Person Being Transferred or Discharged), the applicant signed the form b. A copy of his social security card, issued on 2 February 2016, shows "Conrad C. P___" was issued SSN "XXX-XX-XXX8." 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 SSN from the service record as follows, "SSN: 000-00-0000." DISCUSSION: 1. The applicant's military service record is not available to the Board for review. a. Item 32 of his DD Form 214 shows the SSN "XXX-XX-XXX0." b. The NPRC MPR Registry Record fails to show that an SSN is associated with the applicant's name in the MPR Registry. c. His social security card shows he was issued SSN "XXX-XX-XXX8." (The social security card he presents as evidence was issued on 2 February 2016). 2. Based on the evidence of record, it's likely that an administrative error occurred at some point during the applicant's military service that resulted in the incorrect listing of his SSN in his military service records. However, 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. 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 those records be changed. 4. 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. 5. 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 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20160004887 2 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS Enclosure 1 ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20160004887 3 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS Enclosure 2