ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS IN THE CASE OF: BOARD DATE: 8 February 2019 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20160014741 APPLICANT REQUESTS: through a Member of Congress, correction of his DD Form 214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) for the period ending 1 June 1982, to show his social security number (SSN) as "XXX-XX-XXX" instead of "XXX-XX-XXXX." APPLICANT'S SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS CONSIDERED BY THE BOARD: * DD Form 149 (Application for Correction of Military Record) * DD Form 214 * DD Form 256A (Honorable Discharge Certificate), dated 23 January 1985 * Four Documents indicating his previous attempt to change his SSN * Social Security Number Application Process (SSNAP) printout from the Social Security Administration (SSA) * A photocopy of his Tennessee Driver License and Social Security Card * A Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) letter, dated 11 August 2016 FACTS: 1. The applicant did not file within the three year time frame provided in Title 10, United States Code (USC), section 1552 (b); however, the Army Board for Correction of Military Records conducted a substantive review of this case and determined it is in the interest of justice to excuse the applicant's failure to timely file. 2. The applicant's complete military records are not available for review. A complete and thorough search for his military records was conducted; however, his records could not be located. This case is being considered based on the documents provided by the applicant. 3. The applicant states his SSN on his DD Form 214 is incorrect and attempted to correct his records in 1993 but no action was taken. He was told the wrong SSN by his grandmother at the time he joined the Army. 4. The applicant's DD Form 214 shows he enlisted in the Regular Army on 9 February 1979. He was honorably released from active duty on 1 June 1982 and was transferred to the United States Army Reserve (USAR) Control Group (Reinforcement). Item 3 (SSN) of his DD Form 214 shows his SSN as "XXX-XX-XXXX." 5. The applicant provides: a. A DD Form 256 that shows he was honorably discharged from the USAR on 3 January 1985; however, it does not list his SSN. b. Four documents indicating he previously sought to change his SSN with this Board. One of the documents is a letter that requested correspondence or a copy of his SSN regarding the change; however, he failed to respond. c. An SSA undated printout labeled "SSNAP Printout for Replacement SSN Card" indicating he received a SSN card with the SSN per his request ("XXX-XX-XXXX"). d. A photocopy of his driver license and his SSN card, issued 27 August 2015, with the SSN listed per his request. e. A VA letter, dated 11 August 2016 that verifies his period of active duty service in the Army as 9 February 1929 through 1 June 1982. 6. Army Regulation 635-5 (Separation Documents), dated 23 May 1972, prescribed the separation documents prepared for Soldiers upon retirement, discharge, or release from active military service or control of the Army. It stated to transcribe the SSN at the time of separation from applicable documents in item 3. BOARD DISCUSSION: 1. The Board considered the applicant’s request with all supporting documents, evidence in the service record, and applicable policies and guidance. The Army, like all military services, has a compelling interest in maintaining the historical accuracy and integrity of the records memorializing the performance and personnel data of the men and women who served in the Army. Per Army Regulation 635-5 (Separation Documents), the SSN at the time of separation will be transcribed from applicable documents in the service record to the DD Form 214. 2. The Board finds relief is denied, but a copy of this decisional document will be filed in the applicant’s OMPF. This should serve to clarify any questions or confusion in regard to the difference in the SSN recorded in his military record and the SSN shown on his social security card. BOARD VOTE: Mbr 1 Mbr 2 Mbr 3 : : : GRANT FULL RELIEF : : : GRANT PARTIAL RELIEF : : : GRANT FORMAL HEARING X X X DENY APPLICATION BOARD DETERMINATION/RECOMMENDATION: 1. 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. 2. The applicant is advised that a copy of this decisional document will be filed in his OMPF. This should serve to clarify any questions or confusion in regard to the difference in the SSN recorded in his military record and the SSN shown on his social security card. 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. ADMINISTRATIVE NOTE(S): Not Applicable REFERENCES: 1. Title 10, USC, section 1552(b), provides that applications for correction of military records must be filed within three 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 three-year statute of limitations if the ABCMR determines it would be in the interest of justice to do so. 2. Army Regulation 635-5 (Separations Documents), dated 23 May 1972, prescribed the separation documents prepared for Soldiers upon retirement, discharge, or release from active military service or control of the Army. It established standardized policy for the preparation of the DD Form 214. It stated the DD Form 214 is a synopsis of the Soldier's most recent period of continuous active service. It provides a brief, clear-cut record of active Army service at the time of release from active duty, retirement, or discharge. Item 3 states to transcribe SSN at the time of his separation from applicable documents.