IN THE CASE OF: BOARD DATE: 1 March 2023 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20220006962 APPLICANT REQUESTS: a correction to his social security number on his DD Form 214 (Report of Separation from Active Duty) to reflect APPLICANT'S SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS CONSIDERED BY THE BOARD: * DD Form 149 (Application for Correction of Military Record) * Explanatory letter * Social Security card 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 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, via explanatory letter: a. When he enlisted in the Army on 29 September 1975, he was not required to present his social security card, which he had lost. When asked, he verbally provided a wrong number,. After completing his service in the Army on 29 September 1978, he attended different educational institutions and started working in 1984, continuing to use the wrong social security number. b. It wasn't until about 1985 or 1986 that the Social Security Administration (SSA) noticed the error in his account and notified him of the situation. Until then, he had no knowledge of this error. The SSA informed him the error was corrected, applied his contributions to his social security account, and mailed him a new card. c. Once he started his request for compensation benefits, he noticed the incorrect social security number on his DD Form 214. On 23 March 2022, when he contacted the Social Security Administration office in they reiterated that they had corrected the mistake in 1985 or 1986, as well as directly communicated with the Veterans Administration and the National Personnel Record Center. 3. The applicant provided a copy of his social security card that reflects his social security number as 4. A review of the applicant’s service record shows: a. He enlisted in the Regular Army on 29 September 1975. b. The complete facts and circumstances surrounding the applicant’s separation are not available for review. However, on 29 December 1976, the applicant was notified by his commander of the initiation of action to discharge him under the provisions of AR 635-200, paragraph 5-37. The applicant acknowledged the commander’s notification on the same day. c. DD Form 214 shows he was relieved from active duty and transferred to the United States Army Reserve Control Group on 28 September 1978, under the provisions of Army Regulation (AR) 635-200 (Personnel Separations – Enlisted Personnel), chapter 2, separation program designator (SPD) code LBK. He completed 3 years of net active service this period. Item 3 (Social Security Number) shows his SSN as 5. The applicant’s service number was used to identify the applicant throughout the entire period of his military service. It is consistently represented in the documents contained in his Military Personnel Records Jacket, including his DD Form 214. He authenticated many documents by placing his full signature in the appropriate block attesting to the correctness of his personal data, most notably on his DD Form 214. The requested social security number does not appear in his available military records. 6. AR 635-5 (Personnel Separations – Separation Documents) prescribes the separation documents which are prepared for individuals upon retirement, discharge, or release from active military service or control of the Army. It establishes standardized policy for preparing and distributing DD Form 214. 7. For historical purposes, the Army has an interest in maintaining the integrity of its records. The data and information contained in those records should reflect the conditions and circumstances that existed at the time the records were created. In the absence of a showing of material error or injustice, there is a reluctance to recommend that those records be changed. ? BOARD DISCUSSION: 1. After reviewing the application and all supporting documents, 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. Evidence in the record show the applicant has already had his SSN corrected through the social security administration and they informed him that his corrected SSN had been forwarded to Department of Veteran Affairs. However, upon review of the applicant’s petition and available military records, the Board determined the evidence presented does not demonstrate the existence of a probable error or injustice. The applicant used the contested social security number (SSN) during his entire period of service. The Board determined the overall merits of this case are insufficient as a basis for correction of the records of the individual concerned. Based on this the Board determined relief was not warranted and denied relief. 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. 3. The applicant is advised that a copy of this decisional document, along with his application and the supporting evidence he provided, will be filed in his official military records. This should serve to clarify any questions or confusion regarding the difference in the SSN recorded in his military records and to satisfy his desire to have his SSN documented in his military records. 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 Army Board for Correction of Military Records (ABCMR) determines it would be in the interest of justice to do so. 2. AR 635-5 (Personnel Separations – Separation Documents) prescribes the separation documents which are prepared for individuals upon retirement, discharge, or release from active military service or control of the Army. Paragraph 2-2 states, personnel officers will use the DA Form 201 (Military Personnel Records Jacket, MPRJ), DA Form 2 and 2-1 (Personnel Qualification Records), Separation Orders, DD Form 4/4 (Enlistment/Reenlistment Document – Armed Forces of the United States, DA Form 3716 (Personnel Financial Record), Enlistment records and DD Forms 214 for prior service personnel, and any other available records when preparing DD Form 214WS (Worksheet). //NOTHING FOLLOWS// ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20220006962 1 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 1