ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS


	IN THE CASE OF:  

	BOARD DATE:    26 April 2019

	DOCKET NUMBER:  AR20170018266


APPLICANT REQUESTS: correction of his records to show his legal name change.

APPLICANT'S SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS CONSIDERED BY THE BOARD: 

* DD Form 149 (Application for Correction of Military Record)
* DD Form 214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty), ending 
26 August 1994
* name change, Final Judgement, dated 14 December 2016
* letter, Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery, dated 6 November 2017
* four forms of personal identification

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 he is a transgender man and legally changed his name to "" to align with his gender identity.  Having his old name on his 
DD Form 214 is an injustice because it discloses his transgender status which is associated with a social stigma and discrimination.

3.  The applicant's DD Form 214 for the period 21 January 1992 through 
26 August 1994 shows his name as "" in item 1.  His DD Form 214 does not list a former name in item 18 (Remarks).

4.  His military record is void of any documents recording his current legal name.

5.  On 14 December 2016, the County, , Circuit Court, ordered the applicant's legal name be changed to "."

6.  The applicant provides a letter from his physician, dated 6 November 2017, which states he underwent a surgical procedure to change his anatomy.
7.  The DD Form 214 is a historical document that should reflect the record as it existed at the time the DD Form 214 was created.  A post-service name change does not retroactively create an error on the DD Form 214.  However, the unique circumstances of transgender individuals may prevent or delay receipt of benefits for which these individuals must provide a DD Form 214 as proof of military service.

BOARD DISCUSSION:

After reviewing the application and all supporting documents, the Board determined that relief was warranted.  Based upon the potential prejudices some transgender Soldiers may face when presenting a DD214 with a different name than currently used, the Board found there were potential injustices that would provide sufficient reason to grant the requested relief.  

BOARD VOTE:

Mbr 1	Mbr 2	Mbr 3

X	X	X	GRANT FULL RELIEF

:	:	:	GRANT PARTIAL RELIEF

:	:	:	GRANT FORMAL HEARING

:	:	:	DENY APPLICATION




BOARD DETERMINATION/RECOMMENDATION:

The Board determined the evidence presented is sufficient to warrant a recommendation for relief.  As a result, the Board recommends that all Department of the Army records of the individual concerned be corrected by:

     a.  voiding his current DD Form 214 and issuing him a new DD Form 214, showing his name as shown on his court-ordered name change.  

     b.  No entries should be made in block 18 of the reissued DD Form 214 listing his previous name or indicating the DD Form 214 was administratively reissued.


	 
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 (AR) 635-8 (Separation Processing and Documents), currently in effect, prescribes the transition processing function of the military personnel system, including preparation of the DD Form 214.

   a.  The DD Form 214 is a summary of the Soldier’s most recent period of continuous active duty.  It provides a brief, clear-cut record of all current active, prior active, and prior inactive duty service at the time of release from active duty, retirement, or discharge.

   b.  For Item 1 (Name), compare with the original enlistment contract or appointment order and review the official record for possible name changes.  If a name change has occurred, list other names of record in item 18 (Remarks).

   c.  For Item 18 (Remarks), when a DD Form 214 is administratively issued or reissued, enter "DD FORM 214 ADMINISTRATIVELY ISSUED/REISSUED ON (date)."  However, do not make this entry if the appellate authority, Executive Order, or Headquarters, Department of the Army, directs otherwise.

   d.  The Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army (Review Boards), Army Review Boards Agency, is authorized to issue or reissue DD Forms 214.  Once a 
DD Form 214 has been issued, at the direction of the ABCMR or in other instances when appropriate, including when it is determined that the original DD Form 214 cannot be properly corrected by issuance of a DD Form 215 (Correction to DD Form 214).


ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont)	 AR20170018266
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