ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS


	IN THE CASE OF:  

	BOARD DATE:  23 September 2019

	DOCKET NUMBER:  AR20180016512


APPLICANT REQUESTS:  his DD Form 214 (Report of Separation from Active Duty) to 
reflect his correct branch of service and social security number

APPLICANT'S SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS CONSIDERED BY THE BOARD: 
DD Form 149 (Application for Correction of Military Record)

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 was honorably discharged from the United States Army.  
However, his DD Form 214 incorrectly states he was discharged from the Navy.  In 
addition, his social security number is listed incorrectly and during his time in the 
service, it was listed on documents incorrectly as well.  His DD Form 214 should have 
him honorably discharged from the Army.  

3.   A review of the applicant’s service record shows:
.
	a.  He enlisted in the United States Army Reserve on 4 February 1977.  His 
DD Form 4 (Enlistment or Reenlistment Agreement – Armed Forces of the United 
States) shows his social security number as xxx-xx-####, which he authenticated with 
his signature.  However, he contends his social security number should have been xxx-
xx-####.

	b.  He was honorably discharged on 24 May 1977.  His DD Form 214 shows he was 
discharged from the Army and his social security number as xxx-xx-####, which he 
authenticated with his signature.

4.  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.  The information entered thereon reflects the conditions as they existed at 
the time of separation.

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’s DD Form 214 clearly shows he was in the Regular Army, and he 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.

	  
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 (Separation Documents), in effect at the time, prescribed the 
separation documents that must be prepared for Soldiers upon retirement, discharge, or 
release from active duty service or control of the Active Army.  It established 
standardized policy for preparing and distributing the DD Form 214.  The general 
instructions stated all available records would be used as a basis for preparation of the 
DD Form 214.

//NOTHING FOLLOWS//

ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont)	 AR20180016512

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