ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS IN THE CASE OF: BOARD DATE: 21 October 2019 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20190008050 APPLICANT REQUESTS: correction of item 19b (Nearest Relative) of his DD Form 214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) for the period ending 20 November 1992 to show the address of his current spouse instead of his former spouse. APPLICANT'S SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS CONSIDERED BY THE BOARD: * DD Form 149 (Application for Correction of Military Record) * Final Judgment * Certificate of Marriage 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 enlisted in the Regular Army on 21 November 1989. 3. On 20 November 1992, the applicant was honorably released from active duty. Item 19b of the DD Form 214 he was issued lists, (VI) Italy." 4. The applicant provides a final judgment granting divorce on 1 February 2003, from the individual listed in item 19b of his DD Form 214. He further provides a copy of his certificate of marriage indicating he married his current spouse on 6 May 2005. 5. The DD Form 214 is a synopsis of the Soldier's most recent period of continuous active service. It provides a brief, clear-cut record of active Army service at the time of release from active duty, retirement, or discharge. BOARD DISCUSSION: 1. After reviewing the application and all supporting documents, the Board found the requested relief is not warranted. 2. The applicant does not indicate that the information in item 19b was entered in error at the time the DD Form 214 was completed. The information in that item was collected in the event it was needed to locate the applicant after his release from active duty. The Board agreed that the applicant's divorce and remarriage many years after his release from active duty are not a basis for making the correction he seeks. 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), then in effect, established the policies and provisions for the preparation and distribution of the DD Form 214. It stated the DD Form 214 is a synopsis of the Soldier's most recent period of continuous active service. It provides a brief, clear-cut record of active Army service at the time of release from active duty, retirement, or discharge. This regulation states that item 19a (Mailing Address After Separation) would reflect a permanent address for mailing purposes. The "permanent" address served as a basis for contacting a Soldier within a short time after separation in the event the need arose. It also stated that item 19b should reflect the name and address of a relative who would know the Soldier's location and address. Neither address was intended to be changed or updated each time the individual or family member relocated following a Soldier's separation. //NOTHING FOLLOWS// ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20190008050 3 1