IN THE CASE OF: BOARD DATE: 2 August 2023 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20230001431 APPLICANT REQUESTS: correction of the social security number reflected on DD Form 214 (Report of Separation from Active Duty), for the period ending on 14 May 1975. APPLICANT'S SUPPORTING DOCUMENT(S) CONSIDERED BY THE BOARD: * DD Form 149 (Application for Correction of Military Record) * Certification of Birth * Social Security Card * DD Form 214, 14 May 1975 * Social Security Benefit Statement FACTS: 1. The applicant did not file within the 3-year time frame provided in Title 10, U.S. Code (USC), 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 in pertinent part that when he enlisted in the U.S. Army, he did not have a copy of his social security card and therefore the military assigned him one during the enlistment process. 3. A review of the applicant's available service records reflects the following: a. On 20 June 1972, the applicant enlisted in the Regular Army for 4 years. DD Form 4 (Enlistment Contract Armed Forces of the United States, item 1 (Service Number/Social Security Number) initially reflected "." However, this item was later amended to reflect "." b. On 2 April 1975, the applicant's immediate commander submitted a recommendation that he be discharged prior to reaching his expiration term of service date due to excessive periods of being absent without leave and a general disregard for obligations incurred while on active duty. The applicant's social security number reflected on this document is "." c. On 14 May 1975, Headquarters, XVIII Airborne Corps and Fort Bragg issued Special Orders Number 133, discharging the applicant from military service. DD Form 214, item 3 (Social Security Number) reflects ""; item 4 (Date of Birth) reflects "." 4. The applicant provides the following a: a. Certification of Birth, reflective of the applicant being born on. b. Social Security Card, reflective of the applicant's security number of "." c. Social Security Benefit Statement, reflective of the applicant's social security entitlement for calendar year 2021. The social security number reflected on this document is "." 5. Army Regulation (AR) 600-2 (Name and Birth Data, Social Security Account Number, and Temporary Identification Number (TIN)), effective 1 July 1969, announced the use of the SSN in lieu of military service numbers. A TIN would be issued during the pre-enlistment processing for entrance into the active Army to those individuals who did not have an SSN. The TIN was a 9-digit number that always began with the number "9." Upon receipt of an SSN, the TIN entry on all records would be lined out and the SSAN would be entered. BOARD DISCUSSION: 1. After reviewing the application, all supporting documents, and the evidence found within the military record, the Board found that relief was 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 Board determined the evidence presented does demonstrate the existence of a probable error or injustice. The Board determined the overall merits of this case are sufficient as a basis for correction of the records of the individual concerned. Based on regulatory guidance in 1969, the Board noted a temporary identification number (TIN) was issued during the pre-enlistment processing for entrance into the active Army to those individuals who did not have an SSN. The Board determined there is sufficient evidence in the applicant’s military record to support the correction of his SSN. Therefore, relief was granted. 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. BOARD VOTE: Mbr 1 Mbr 2 Mbr 3 :X :X :X GRANT FULL RELIEF : : : GRANT PARTIAL RELIEF : : : GRANT FORMAL HEARING : : : DENY APPLICATION BOARD DETERMINATION/RECOMMENDATION: The Board determined that the evidence presented was 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 to show the applicant’s social security number as shown on his social security card. 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, USC, 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. AR 600-2 (Name and Birth Data, Social Security Account Number, and Temporary Identification Number (TIN)), effective 1 July 1969, announced the use of the SSN in lieu of military service numbers. A TIN would be issued during the pre-enlistment processing for entrance into the active Army to those individuals who did not have an SSN. The TIN was a 9-digit number that always began with the number "9." Upon receipt of an SSN, the TIN entry on all records would be lined out and the SSAN would be entered. 3. AR 635-5 (Separation Documents) in effect at the time provides 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. Personnel officers will prepare and authenticate DD Form 214WS (Worksheet) prior to forwarding records to the transfer facility. All available records will be used as a basis for the preparation of DD Form 214WS, including DA Form 20 (Enlisted Qualification Record) and orders. Item 3. (Social Security Number) on the issued DD Form 214 will contain the servicemembers social security number as reflected on the social security card. Otherwise, the social security number will be verified for accuracy. //NOTHING FOLLOWS// ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20230001431 1 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 1