IN THE CASE OF: 

		BOARD DATE:  14 September 2022

		DOCKET NUMBER: AR20220004397


APPLICANT REQUESTS: correction of Block 19b (Nearest Relative) on his DD Form 
214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty).
 
APPLICANT'S SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS CONSIDERED BY THE BOARD:
DD Form 149 (Application for Correction of Military Record)


FACTS:

1.  The applicant did not file within the three-year time frame provided in Title 10, United 
States Code, section 1552(b); however, the Army Board for Correction of Military 
Records (ABCMR) 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 is seeking correction of Block 19b of his DD Form 214, for 
the service period ending 12 July 2016, because his grandfather is more important. He 
would like to add.

3.  A review of the applicant’s service record shows:

a.	He enlisted in the Regular Army on 2 October 2012.

   b.  Orders 188-0600, dated 6 July 2016, discharged the applicant from active duty 
with an effective date 12 July 2016.

   c.  He was honorably discharged from active duty on 12 July 2016. His DD Form 214 
shows he completed 3 years, 8 months, and 26 days of active service. It also shows 
Block 19b (Nearest Relative)

4.  By regulation (AR 635-8), 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. The information entered thereon reflects the conditions 
as they existed at the time of separation. Block 19b (Nearest Relative) states the data 
source is provided by the Soldier. Advise the Soldier that the name and address of a 
relative should be someone who will now the Soldier’s location and address, at all 
times. When a relative is not available, list a close friend. Enter name, street address, 
city, state, and zip code.


BOARD DISCUSSION:

1.  After reviewing the application, all supporting documents, and the evidence found 
within the military record, the Board found that relief was not warranted. The Board 
carefully considered the applicant's record of service, documents submitted in support 
of the petition and executed a comprehensive and standard review based on law, policy 
and regulation.  The governing regulation provides that at separation the service 
member’s record will be used to enter accurate information when completing their 
DD Form 214, a summary of a specific period of active-duty service.  Upon review of the
applicant’s petition and available military records the Board determined the nearest
relative listed on his DD Form 214 for the period ending 12 July 2016 was correct in
accordance with law and regulatory guidance at the time the DD Form 214 was
prepared during the applicant’s separation.

2. The Army has an interest in maintaining the integrity of its records for historical 
purposes.  The information in those records must reflect the conditions and 
circumstances that existed at the time the records were created.  In the absence of 
evidence that shows a material error or injustice, there is a reluctance to recommend 
that those records be changed. Therefore, the Board denied relief. 

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:

1.  Title 10, United States Code, section 1552(b), provides that applications for 
correction of military records must be filed within 3 years after discovery of the alleged 
error or injustice. This provision of law also allows the ABCMR to excuse an applicant's 
failure to timely file within the 3-year statute of limitations if the ABCMR determines it 
would be in the interest of justice to do so.

2.  Army Regulation 635-8 (Separations Processing and Documents), currently in effect, 
states 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. The information entered thereon reflects the conditions as they existed at the 
time of separation. Block 19b (Nearest Relative) states the data source is provided by 
the Soldier. Advise the Soldier that the name and address of a relative should be 
someone who will now the Soldier’s location and address, at all times. When a relative 
is not available, list a close friend. Enter name, street address, city, state, and zip code.

//NOTHING FOLLOWS//
ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont)	 AR20220004397


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ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS


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