IN THE CASE OF: BOARD DATE: 4 January 2018 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20160016021 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: 4 January 2018 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20160016021 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: 4 January 2018 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20160016021 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-X35X instead of XXX-XX-X42X. 2. The applicant states his SSN is incorrect on his DD Form 214. The last four numbers are crossed out and the correct SSN is penciled in. 3. The applicant provides his DD Form 214 and a register of deeds verifying the DD Form 214 to be a true and certified copy on file. 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 complete military and medical records are not available to the Board for review. A fire destroyed approximately 18 million service members' records at the National Personnel Records Center in 1973. It is believed the applicant's records were lost or destroyed in that fire. The case is being considered using the DD Form 214 provided by the applicant. 3. On 21 January 1966, the applicant was inducted in the Army of the United States. 4. On 19 January 1968, he was honorably released from active duty. 5. Item 3 (SSN) of his DD Form 214 lists his SSN as XXX-XX-X42X. The last four numbers are lined through and hand written as “X35X.” REFERENCES: 1. Army Regulation 635-5 (Separation Documents), in effect at the time, established standardized policy for preparing and distributing the DD Form 214. The purpose of the separation document is to provide an individual with documentary evidence of his or her military service. It is important that information entered on this form is complete and accurate. The instructions for item 3 of the DD Form 214 is to transcribe the social security account number from the DA Form 2139 (Military Pay Voucher). 2. Army Regulation 15-185 (ABCMR) prescribes the policies and procedures for correction of military records by the Secretary of the Army acting through the ABCMR. The ABCMR begins its consideration of each case with the presumption of administrative regularity. The applicant has the burden of proving an error or injustice by a preponderance of the evidence. DISCUSSION: 1. Regrettably, the applicant's records could not be located and his DD Form 214 is the only Army record available that lists an SSN. It is not known what SSN he provided when he was inducted into the Army of the United States 21 January 1966. 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 those records be changed. 4. Absent evidence to the contrary, it is presumed the applicant's military service records, including the DD Form 214, were correct at the time they were prepared and there is insufficient evidence to grant him relief in this case. 5. A copy of this decisional document will be filed in a reconstructed record. This should serve to clarify any questions or confusion regarding the difference in the SSN recorded in his reconstructed record and the SSN penciled in on his DD Form 214. 6. The applicant may resubmit an application to this Board if he can provide an Army document showing the requested SSN was used at any time during his military service. //NOTHING FOLLOWS// ABCMR Record of Proceedings AR20150000953 Enclosure 1 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20160016021 2 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS Enclosure 1 ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20160016021 3 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS Enclosure 2