ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS 
RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 
BOARD DATE:  25 September 2019 
DOCKET NUMBER:  AR20180006496 
APPLICANT REQUESTS:  correction of item 1 (Last Name, First Name, Middle Name) 
of his DD Form 214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty), with 
separation date 18 May 1987, to change his name to read as. 
APPLICANT'S SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS CONSIDERED BY THE BOARD: 
•	DD Form 149 (Application for Correction of Military Record)
•	Circuit Court Name Change Order
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 requests correction of his record to reflect his current name from "R___ 
" to "X”.
3.	A review of his service record shows:
a.	He enlisted in the Regular Army on 19 July 1983.  His DD Form 4
(Enlistment/Reenlistment Document – Armed Forces of the United States) shows his 
name as "" in item 1 Name (Last, First, Middle). 
b.	He was honorably discharged on 18 May 1987 and his DD Form 214 shows his
name as "
_" in item 1 Name (Last, First, Middle). 
c.	The applicant's military record is void of any documents recording his current
legal name. 
4.	The applicant provided a State of Circuit Court court order, dated 9 July 
2004, which shows his name was ordered from  to 
"”.
5.	The DD Form 214 is a historical document that should reflect the record as it existed 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.  
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 
Board considered the applicant's statement, his record of service and his court-ordered 
post-service name change.  The Board found that the applicant used the contested 
name 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, absent evidence that 
shows a material error or injustice.  The Board found no evidence of error or injustice. 
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 name recorded in his military records and to satisfy his desire to have his legal 
name 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. 
 
12/4/2019
 
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 635-8 (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) (DASA 
(RB)), Army Review Boards Agency (ARBA), 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). 
 
//NOTHING FOLLOWS// 
 
ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) 	 AR20180006496 
ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) 	 AR20180006496 
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