IN THE CASE OF:  
			

		BOARD DATE:  27 August 2020

		DOCKET NUMBER:  AR20200002923


LEGEND:  	W = B
		X = B
		Y = C
		Z = J

APPLICANT REQUESTS:  correction of her DD Form 214 (Report of Separation from 
Active Duty) to reflect her maiden name as W. 

APPLICANT'S SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS CONSIDERED BY THE BOARD:

*	DD Form 149 (Application for Correction of Military Record)
*	DD Form 214 
*	Judgement of Absolute Divorce, dated 24 September 2019

FACTS:

1.  The applicant states that due to a divorce dated 24 September 2019, her last name 
will revert to her maiden name, W. 

2.  A review of the applicant’s official military service records shows: 

   a.  On 5 October 1981 she enlisted in the Regular Army.  At the time of enlistment, 
she was using her maiden name. 
   
   b.  On 15 January 1988, she requested a name change from X to Y due to marriage 
on a DA Form 4187 (Personnel Action).  
   
   c.  On 31 October 2004, she retired after 23 years and 26 days of service.  Orders 
Number 008-03, issued by Darmstadt Transition Center, APO AE, released her from 
active duty and placed her on the retired list with the last name Y. 



3.  The applicant provides: 

   a.  DD Form 214 for the period ending on 31 October 2004, which lists the last name 
Y, but is not the one shown on the divorce decree nor on the application. 
   
   b.  Divorce Decree, dated 24 September 2019, which states the applicant (last name 
Z, obtained after her period of military service) is authorized to resume use of her 
maiden name, W.

4.  The U.S. Army Human Resources Command’s Soldier Management System reflects 
the applicant’s last name has been changed to her maiden name (W) for retirement 
records purposes.

5.  Army Regulation 635-5 (Separation Documents), directs that 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.  

BOARD DISCUSSION:

1.  After reviewing the application and all supporting documents, the Board found that 
relief is warranted.

2.  The Board noted that the current version of the regulation governing preparation of 
the DD Form 214 provides that if a name change has occurred during the period 
covered by the DD Form 214, other names of record should be entered in block 18 
(Remarks).  The Board determined that, as a matter of equity, it would be appropriate to 
list all of the applicant's names of record in block 18 of her DD Form 214.


BOARD VOTE:

Mbr 1	Mbr 2	Mbr 3

:XXX	:XXX	:XXX	GRANT FULL RELIEF

:	:	:	GRANT PARTIAL RELIEF

:	:	:	GRANT FORMAL HEARING

:	:	:	DENY APPLICATION



BOARD DETERMINATION/RECOMMENDATION:

The Board determined the evidence presented is 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 adding the names 
following "AKA" on page 1 of these proceedings to block 18 of her DD Form 214.

		  
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.


REFERENCE:

Army Regulation 635-5 (Separation Documents), dated 15 September 2000, states the 
DD Form 214 is a summary of a soldier's most recent period of continuous active duty. 
It provides a brief, clear-cut record of active duty service at the time of release from 
active duty, retirement, or discharge.  The DD Form 214 is not intended to have any 
legal effect on termination of a soldier's service.  The regulation establishes 
standardized policy for the preparation of the DD Form 214.  For item 1, enter name in 
all capital letters.  Compare ERB/ORB to contract for possible name change.  The 
current version of this regulation (now Army Regulation 635-8) provides for entering all 
names of record in item 18 (Remarks).

//NOTHING FOLLOWS//
ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont)	 AR20200002923


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ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS


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