ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS


IN THE CASE OF: 
BOARD DATE: 21 November 2019 
DOCKET NUMBER: AR20190003612

APPLICANT REQUESTS: correction of item 19b (Nearest Relative) on her 
DD Form 214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty).

APPLICANT'S SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS CONSIDERED BY THE BOARD:


*	DD Form 149 (Application for Correction of Military Record)
*	NGB Form 22 (Report of Separation and Record of Service), dated 
31 December 2007
   *	DD From 214, dated 18 April 2006 
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, in effect, she submitted her mother "C 	" and her mother’s 
address as her next of kin to be recorded on her DD Form 214 in box 19b. She 
contends the current entry which shows B	is not her relative or next of kin but 
was just someone in her unit and she does not know why he is listed on her
DD Form 214.

3.	On 5 April 2000, the applicant enlisted in the Regular Army for a period of 3 years. 
Her DD Form 214 shows she was honorably released from active duty on 18 April 2006.

*	item 19b (nearest Relative) shows the entry B	with an address she does 
not know.

4.	Army Regulation 635-5 (Separation Documents) establishes the standardized policy 
for preparing and distributing the DD Form 214. It provides a brief, clear-cut record of 
active Army service at the time of release from active duty, retirement, or discharge. It 
states that the Soldier should be advised that for block 19b, the name and address of a



relative should be someone who will know their address at all times and when a relative 
is not available, use a close friend.

BOARD DISCUSSION:

1.	After reviewing the application and all supporting documents, the Board found that 
relief is warranted.

2.	The Board determined that it was appropriate for the applicant’s DD Form 214 to 
show her mother and mother’s address as her nearest relative in box 19b. The current 
DD Form 214 should be voided and removed from the applicant’s record,



BOARD VOTE:

Mbr 1
Mbr 2
Mbr 3

:XXX
:XXX
:XXX
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 issuing a new
DD Form 214 showing her mother and mother’s address in box 19b (Nearest Relative).


 X	


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) prescribes the separation 
documents prepared for Soldiers upon retirement, discharge, or release from active 
military service or control of the Army. It establishes standardized policy for the 
preparation of the DD Form 214. The DD Form 214 is a synopsis of the Soldier's most 
recent period of continuous active duty. It provides a brief, clear-cut record of active 
Army service at the time of release from active duty, retirement, or discharge. It states 
the mailing address after separation and nearest relative will be provided by the Soldier.

   a.	Block 19a (Mailing Address After Separation) this address must be a permanent 
address.  Civilian penal institutions will not be accepted.

   b.	Block 19b (Nearest Relative) Advise a soldier that the name and address of a 
relative should be someone who will know their location and address at all times. When 
a relative is not available, use a close friend. When the person is at the same address 
as 19a, enter “(NAME) and ADDRESS SAME AS BLOCK 19a.”

- NOTHING FOLLOWS -