ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS


IN THE CASE OF: 
BOARD DATE: 4 September 2019 
DOCKET NUMBER: AR20170019884

APPLICANT REQUESTS: correction of his DD Form 214 (Armed Forces of the United 
States Report of Transfer or Discharge) to reflect his correct social security number 
(SSN) from xxx-#x-xx## to xxx-#x-xx##

APPLICANT'S SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS CONSIDERED BY THE BOARD:

   *	DD Form 149 (Application for Correction of Military Record)
*	State Driver’s License
*	SSN Card
   *	DD Form 214 
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 that his social security number was entered incorrectly at 
induction, and the error then followed him for the rest of his time in the Army. His 
correct SSN is xxx-#x-xx##. The incorrect SSN that is found on all his service 
documents were xxx-#x-xx##.

3.	The applicant provides:

*	State Driver’s License
*	DD Form 214
*	SSN Card

4.	A review of the applicants’ service record shows:

   a.	He was inducted into the Army of the United States on 4 March 1969 with no 
SSN reflected on the DA Form 47 (Record of Induction).
   


   b.	He completed a DD Form 398 (Statement of Personal History) and listed his SSN 
as xxx-#x-xx##. His DA Form 20 (Enlisted Qualification Record reflects his SSN as xxx-
#x-xx##.

   c.	On 5 October 1970, his DD Form 214 reflects that he was honorably released 
from active duty and transferred to the United States Army Reserve (USAR) control 
group. Block 3 (Social Security Number) as xx#-#x-## (similar to the SSN on his DD 
Form 398).

5.	Army Regulation 635-5 (Separation Documents), in effect at the time, established 
the standardized policy for preparing and distributing the DD Form 214. The regulation 
directs that the purpose of the separation document is to provide the individual with 
documentary evidence of his or her military service. It is important that information 
entered on the form should be complete and accurate. With regard to item 3, the 
regulation required verification of accuracy with the SSN of record.

BOARD DISCUSSION:

After review of the application and all evidence, the Board determined the evidence 
presented does not demonstrate the existence of a probable error or injustice. The 
applicant used the contested SSN during his entire period of service. Therefore, the 
Board determined the overall merits of this case are insufficient as a basis for correction 
of the records of the individual concerned.

The Army has an interest in maintaining the integrity of its records for historical 
purposes. The information in those records must reflect the conditions and 
circumstances that existed at the time the records were created. In the absence of 
evidence that shows a material error or injustice, there is a reluctance to recommend 
that those records be changed.

The applicant is advised that a copy of this decisional document, along with his 
application and the supporting evidence he provided, will be filed in his official military 
records. This should serve to clarify any questions or confusion regarding the 
difference in the SSN recorded in his military records and to satisfy his desire to have 
his SSN documented in his military records.



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:

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
Signed  by:  
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 (Personnel Separations - Separation Documents) prescribes 
policies and procedures regarding separation documents. It also establishes 
standardized policy for preparing and distributing the DD Form 214. The purpose of a 
separation document is to provide the individual with evidence of their military service at 
the time of separation.  It states for that for item 3, the individual's SN or SSN is 
entered.

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