ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS IN THE CASE OF: BOARD DATE: 5 August 2019 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20190009668 APPLICANT REQUESTS: Correction of his DD Form 214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) by adding the suffix "Jr" in block 1 (Name). APPLICANT'S SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS CONSIDERED BY THE BOARD: * DD Form 149 (Application for Correction of Military Record) * DD Form 214 * Court Order for Change of Name, dated 24 July 2018 * State of Amendment of Birth Record (to reflect court ordered change of name) FACTS: 1. The applicant states the correct name on his records should be., in order to match his Social Security Administration record along with his current workplace record. He never used the suffix "Jr" as part of his name or signature, including while joining the military. He had his name legally changed to make it official. 2. The applicant enlisted in the Regular Army on 2 October 1995. His DD Form 4 (Enlistment/Reenlistment Document - Armed Forces of the United States) shows he listed his name as, without a suffix. He signed his DD Form 4 without using a suffix after his last name. 3. The applicant's DD Form 1966 (Record of Military Processing - Armed Forces of the United States) shows he listed his name as without a suffix. He indicated on this form that his correct name, as shown on his birth certificate, was . He also indicated he had not changed his name legally but that he preferred to use the name, by which he was known in the community and as a matter of convenience. 4. The applicant was released from active duty on 24 August 1999. His DD Form 214 does not show the suffix "Jr" in block 1. 5. The applicant's available records show he never used the name " throughout his entire period of active military service. 6. The applicant provided a court order showing his legal name was changed on 24 July 2018 from to. BOARD DISCUSSION: 1. The Board carefully considered the applicant’s request, supporting documents and evidence in the records. The Board considered the applicant’s statement, his service records, the name he identified as his preferred enlistment name and the Alias listed in his service records, the post-service court ordered name change and the amended birth certificate. The Board did not find the name he requests used at any time during his military service and that it was not changed until after the period of service included on his DD Form 214. Based on a preponderance of evidence, the Board determined that the name recorded in the applicant’s records accurately reflected the circumstances as they existed at the time; there was no error or injustice. 2. The applicant is advised that a copy of this decision will be placed in his official records to clarify the difference in the name he used while serving and the name he uses today. 3. After reviewing the application and all supporting documents, the Board found that relief was not warranted 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. 13 January 2020 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. ADMINISTRATIVE NOTE(S): Not Applicable REFERENCES: 1. Army Regulation 635-5 (Separations Documents), in effect during the applicant's active duty service, prescribed the separation documents prepared for Soldiers upon retirement, discharge, or release from active military service or control of the Army. It established standardized policy for the preparation of the DD Form 214. The regulation states 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. 2. For historical purposes, the Army has an interest in maintaining the integrity of its records. The data and information contained in those records should reflect the conditions and circumstances that existed at the time the records were created.