ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS


BOARD DATE:  3 October 2019
DOCKET NUMBER: AR20190005125


APPLICANT REQUESTS: correction of his DD Form 214 (Armed Forces of the United 
States Report of Transfer or Discharge) to show his legal name as A--- B---.

APPLICANT'S SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS CONSIDERED BY THE BOARD:

   *	DD Form 149 (Application for Correction of Military Record)
*	Social Security Administration Benefits Documentation, dated 20 March 2019
*	Navy Federal Statement of Account, dated 15 March 2019
*	Driver’s license, dated 31 December 2018
*	Birth Certificate with name change, dated 20 October 2005
*	Social Security Administration 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, in effect, he changed his legal name from “T---, R E.” to “B---, 
A.” in 1975. He requests a change to his DD Form 214 to reflect his legal name to 
match other official documentation with his legal name, “B---, A.”

3.	The applicant provides a birth certificate, driver’s license, and social security card 
which all reflect his legal name as “B---, A.”

4.	A review of the applicant’s DD Form 4 (Enlistment Record – Armed Forces of the 
United States) revealed that he enlisted into the Regular Army on 23 February 1966 
under the name “T---, R E.”

5.	The applicant’s records are void of any documentation with his requested name:
“B---, A.” The record is also void of any request to change his name prior to his release 
from active duty.



6.	The applicant was released from active duty on 29 May 1969. His DD Form 214 
shows his name as “T---, R E.”

7.	Army Regulation 635-5 (Separation Documents) states, in effect, that the
DD Form 214 will reflect the conditions and circumstances that existed at the time the 
records were created.

BOARD DISCUSSION:

1.	After reviewing the application and all supporting documents, the Board found the 
requested relief is not warranted.

2.	The Board noted the applicant's military records show he served exclusively under 
the name “T---, R. E.,” which is accurately recorded on his DD Form 214. The Board 
agreed that in this case the applicant's post-service name change is not a basis for 
changing the name recorded on his DD Form 214, absent evidence of an error or 
injustice.

3.	The applicant is advised that a copy of this decisional document will be filed in his 
military personnel records. This should serve to clarify any questions or confusion 
regarding the difference between the name recorded in his military records and the 
name he now uses.
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.

11/25/2019

 X	
CHAIRPERSON
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) establishes the standardized policy 
for preparing and distributing the DD Form 214. It states the purpose of the separation 
document is to provide the individual with documentary evidence of his or her military 
service at the time of release from active duty, retirement, or discharge. It is important 
that information entered on the form be complete and accurate and reflects the 
conditions as they existed at the time of separation.