ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS



BOARD DATE: 2 March 2020
DOCKET NUMBER: AR20170018140


APPLICANT REQUESTS: correction of her DD Form 214 (Certificate of Release or 
Discharge from Active Duty) to show her maiden name of “P 	” vice her married name 
of “P 	-C 	.”

APPLICANT'S SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS CONSIDERED BY THE BOARD:

   *	DD Form 149 (Application for Correction of Military Record)
   *	Certificate of Live Birth 
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 states she wants to return to her maiden name of ”P 	.”

3.	On 9 November 1982, the applicant enlisted in the Regular Army under the name of 
“P 	, R 	M.”

4.	Her records are void a copy of her marriage certificate; however in a letter from the 
Assistant Personnel Officer, the applicant submitted a request for a name change from 
“P      , R       M        ” to “P    -C 	, R M ”, and it was approved on
4 December 1984.

6.	On 8 November 1986, she was honorably released from active duty. Her DD Form 
214 reflects the name as “P 	-C 	, R 	M 	.”

7.	The applicant provides a copy of her certificate of birth that shows her name as 
“R 	M 	P 	.”

8.	Army Regulation 635-5 (Separation Documents), states that 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.

BOARD DISCUSSION:

1.	The Board carefully considered the applicant’s request, supporting documents and 
evidence in the records. The Board considered the applicant’s statement, her record of 
service, the in-service name change and the applicant’s name as shown on her DD 
Form 214. The Board found insufficient in-service evidence to show that the applicant 
again changed her name and the applicant provided no supporting documents to show 
a name change post service. The Board found no evidence that her name in her 
records was not representative of the circumstances as they existed at the time of her 
service. Based on a preponderance of evidence, the Board determined that the 
applicant’s name as shown upon separation was not in error or unjust.

2.	The applicant is advised that a copy of this decisional document will be filed in her 
official military personnel file. This should serve to clarify any questions or confusion 
about the difference in the last name recorded in her military records and the last name 
she requested.

3.	After reviewing the application and all supporting documents, the Board found that 
relief was not warranted.





BOARD VOTE:

Mbr 1
Mbr 2
Mbr 3

:
:
:
GRANT FULL RELIEF
:
:
:
GRANT PARTIAL RELIEF
:
:
:
GRANT FORMAL HEARING
:
:
:
DENY APPLICATION


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.





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, in effect at the time, prescribed the separation documents 
prepared for Soldiers upon retirement, discharge, or release from active military service. 
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.