ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS


	IN THE CASE OF:  

	BOARD DATE:  13 April 2020

	DOCKET NUMBER:  AR20190012824


APPLICANT REQUESTS: correction of his DD Form 214 (Certificate of Release or 
Discharge from Active Duty), for the period ending 16 March 1992 to show his correct 
date of birth (DOB) month to January instead June. 

APPLICANT'S SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS CONSIDERED BY THE BOARD: 

*	DD Form 149 (Application for Correction of Military Record)
*	DD Form 214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty), dated       
16 March 1992
*	State Certificate of Vital Records, dated 4 December 2018
*	Identification Card, dated 5 December 2018

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 he would like his date of birth be changed from June to                  
January, his actual birthdate.  The applicant states he just discovered the error while 
trying to fill out the e-benefits portal.  He had not discovered the error on his                            
DD Form 214 until now.  Without the proper date, he cannot fill out the e-benefit portal.  

3.  The applicant enlisted in the Regular Army on 20 January 1988.  His DD Form 4 
(Enlistment or Reenlistment Agreement – Armed Forces of the United States) shows he 
listed his DOB as June.

4.  The applicant was released from active duty on 16 June 1992.  Item 5 (Date of Birth) 
of his DD Form 214 shows June.

5.  A review of his official military personnel file (OMPF) reveals all applicable 
documents contains his contested DOB in June.

6.  The applicant provides a copy of his original State Certificate of Vital Records issued 
in January, 4 days after his birth, and an identification card that showing his DOB in  
January, not June.  The applicant also provides a copy of his social security card with 
social security number (SSN) that matches the SSN on his DD Form 214. 

BOARD DISCUSSION:

After reviewing the application, the supporting documents, the records, applicable 
regulations, and the facts above, the Board found that relief is warranted as 
recommended in the Board Determination and Recommendation below.

BOARD VOTE:

Mbr 1	Mbr 2	Mbr 3

:XXX	:XXX	:XX	GRANT FULL RELIEF

:	:	:	GRANT PARTIAL RELIEF

:	:	:	GRANT FORMAL HEARING

:	:	:	DENY APPLICATION



BOARD DETERMINATION/RECOMMENDATION:

The Board determined that the evidence presented was 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 showing on his 
DD Form 214 his date of birth in January as shown on his state certificate of birth.

	  
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 and DD Form 215. For item 5, Date of Birth, enter date 
using six–digit number in this item; year, month, and day written in that sequence 
without spaces or slashes, e.g., 690312 for March 12, 1969.

3.  AR 635-5 states 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.  Once a DD Form 214 has 
been issued, do not reissue, except when two DD Forms 215 have been issued and an 
additional correction is required.  The DD Form 214 is of vital importance to the 
separating soldier and must be properly prepared according to prescribed guidance.  No 
deviation is authorized.  Ensure that each soldier entitled to receive a DD Form 214 is 
counseled and understand the following:

*	This is the most vital document he or she will receive from the Army, and it is 
imperative to safeguard this document carefully.
*	The benefits a soldier may be eligible to receive as a result of military service will 
be based primarily on the DD Form 214.

// NOTHING FOLLOWS //



ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont)	   AR20190012824

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