ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS


	IN THE CASE OF:

	BOARD DATE:  10 May 2019

	DOCKET NUMBER:  AR20190000151


APPLICANT REQUESTS:  correction of her DD Forms 214 (Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge) for the periods ending on 14 November 1974 and 24 November 1975 to show her current legal name.

APPLICANT'S SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS CONSIDERED BY THE BOARD: 

* DD Form 149 (Application for Correction of Military Record)
* A Physician Letter from Palouse Surgeons, Limited Liability Company
* Order for Name Change, issued by The District Court on 9 April 2014
* Certificate of Birth
* Photocopies of her Social Security Card, and Washington Driver's License 
* 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 indicates, in effect, she is a transgender female who changed her legal to align with her gender identity.  Her DD Form 214 records her old name and discloses her transgender identity, which places her at a disadvantage.  This is an injustice because transgender people face social stigma and discrimination.  Issuing a corrected DD Form 214 listing her current name will effectively remedy this injustice.

3.  The applicant's record contains two DD Forms 214 for the periods ending on 14 November 1974 and 24 November 1974, which show "XXX" in item 1.

4.  The applicant's military record is void of any documents recording her current legal name.  

5.  On 9 April 2014, The District Court  ordered the applicant's legal name change to "XXX."

6.  Her certificate of birth was amended to reflect her gender marker as female and her name as "XXX."

7.  She provided a letter from her physician stating that she had the appropriate clinical treatment for gender transition to her new gender of female.

8.  The DD Form 214 is a historical document that should reflect the record as it existed at the time the DD Form 214 was created.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:

     The Board considered the applicant’s statement and supporting documents and also considered the unique circumstances of transgender individuals where the applicant’s previous name on the DD Form 214 could result in denial or delay of benefits.   
After reviewing the application and all supporting documents, the Board found that relief was warranted.

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 reissuing the DD Form 214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) for the periods of service 14 November 1974 and 24 November 1975 with the following amendments: 
   a.  the applicant's legal name, as recorded on the court ordered name change document, will be entered in item 1 (Name (Last, First, Middle)), and 
   
   b.  no entries will be made in item 18 (Remarks) of the reissued DD Forms 214 that lists a previous name or gender marker or that indicates 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.


ADMINISTRATIVE NOTE(S):

Not Applicable


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).

ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont)	 AR20190000151


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