IN THE CASE OF:  

		BOARD DATE:  23 July 2021

		DOCKET NUMBER:  AR20210007260


APPLICANT REQUESTS:  in effect, correction of her DD Form 214 (Certificate of 
Release or Discharge from Active Duty) to show her current legal name instead of the 
contested name.

APPLICANT'S SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS CONSIDERED BY THE BOARD:

*	DD Form 149 (Application for Correction of Military Record)
*	DD Form 214
*	Judgment Order

FACTS:

1.  The applicant states, in effect, she is a transgender woman who changed her name 
in 2019, to align her name with her gender identity.  

2.  The applicant's DD Form 214 for the period 21 November 2007 through 
30 September 2011 shows her contested name in item 1 (NAME (Last, First, Middle)).

3.  The applicant's military record is void of any documents recording her current legal 
name.  

4.  On 7 March 2019, a County Probate Court ordered the applicant's legal name 
change to her current legal name.

5.  The DD Form 214 is a historical document that should reflect the record as it existed 
at the time the DD Form 214 was created.  A post-service name change does not 
retroactively create an error on the DD Form 214.  However, the unique circumstances 
of transgender individuals may prevent or delay receipt of benefits for which these 
individuals must provide a DD Form 214 as proof of military service.
 




BOARD DISCUSSION:

After reviewing the application and all supporting documents, the Board determined that 
relief was warranted.  Based upon the potential prejudices some transgender Soldiers 
may face when presenting a DD214 with a different name than currently used, the 
Board found there were potential injustices that would provide sufficient reason to grant 
the requested relief.  

BOARD VOTE:

Mbr 1	Mbr 2	Mbr 3

:XX	:XX	:XX	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:

     a.  voiding her current DD Form 214 and issuing her a new DD Form 214, 
showing her name as shown on the court-ordered name change.  

     b.  No entries should be made in block 18 of the reissued DD Form 214 listing her 
previous name or indicating the DD Form 214 was administratively reissued.

		  
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:

Regulation 635-8 (Separation Processing and Documents), currently in effect, 
prescribes the transition processing function of the military personnel system, including 
preparation of the DD Form 214.  

     a.  The DD Form 214 is a summary of the Soldier's most recent period of continuous 
active duty.  It provides a brief, clear-cut record of all current active, prior active, and 
prior inactive duty service at the time of release from active duty, retirement, or 
discharge.

     b.  Block 1 - compare with the original enlistment contract or appointment order and 
review the official record for possible name changes.  If a name change has occurred, 
list other names of record in block 18 (Remarks).

     c.  Block 18 - when a DD Form 214 is administratively issued or reissued, enter "DD 
FORM 214 ADMINISTRATIVELY ISSUED/REISSUED ON (date)."  However, do not 
make this entry if the appellate authority, Executive Order, or Headquarters, Department 
of the Army, directs otherwise.

     d.  The Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army (Review Boards), Army Review 
Boards Agency, is authorized to issue or reissue DD Forms 214.  Once a DD Form 214 
has been issued, at the direction of the Army Board for Correction of Military Records or 
in other instances when appropriate, including when it is determined that the original 
DD Form 214 cannot be properly corrected by issuance of a DD Form 215 (Correction 
to DD Form 214).
//NOTHING FOLLOWS//
ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont)	 AR20210007260


3

ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS


1