IN THE CASE OF: BOARD DATE: 20 August 2020 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20200000627 APPLICANT REQUESTS: correction of his DD Form 214 (Report of Separation from Active Duty) to reflect his current legal name LEGEND: APPLICANT'S SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS CONSIDERED BY THE BOARD: * DD Form 149 (Application for Correction of Military Record) * Final Decree Changing Name * State of Tennessee Identification (ID) Card * Social Security Card FACTS: 1. The applicant states he legally changed his name on 30 August 2019, and would like his name changed on his DD Form 214, so that he may receive VA benefits and other benefits that require a DD Form 214. 2. A review of the applicant’s official military service records shows: a. On 15 September 1976, he enlisted in the US Army Reserve in the Delayed Enlistment Program. b. On 29 September 1976, he enlisted in the Regular Army for a period of three years. c. On 30 December 1977, he was honorably discharged from the Regular Army. A copy of his DD Form 214 shows his name in item 1 (Last, First, Middle Name) as . 3. The applicant provides the following: a. Final decree for name change wherein the court ordered his name changed from to . b. State ID Card and Social Security Card which show his name as . 4. The applicant’s records are consistent in the spelling of his full name as . Although his application lists his name as , there is no evidence he used any name other than during his period of military service. 5. Army Regulation 635-5 (Separation Documents) states that the DD Form 214 will reflect the conditions and circumstances that existed at the time the records were created. 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. BOARD DISCUSSION: 1. After reviewing the application and all supporting documents, the Board found that relief is not warranted. 2. The Board agreed that there is insufficient evidence of mitigating factors that would support a recommendation for relief. During his military service he consistently used the name recorded on his DD Form 214, and the Board agreed that his post-service name change does not form a basis for relief in this case. The Board determined there is no error or injustice in the name recorded on his DD Form 214. 3. The applicant is advised that a copy of these proceedings will be filed in his Official Military Personnel File, which should serve to explain the difference in the name under which he served 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. 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: Army Regulation 635-5 (Separation Documents) states that the DD Form 214 will reflect the conditions and circumstances that existed at the time the records were created. 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. //NOTHING FOLLOWS// ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20200000627 3 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 1