IN THE CASE OF: BOARD DATE: 29 August 2023 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20230004342 APPLICANT REQUESTS: in effect, correction of her DD Form 214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) to show in: • Block 1 (Name), the requested name • Block 18 (Remarks), no former contested names • Block 19b (Nearest Relative), a new name and address • Block 21 (Signature of Member Being Separated), the requested name APPLICANT'S SUPPORTING DOCUMENT(S) CONSIDERED BY THE BOARD: • DD Form 149 (Application for Correction of Military Record) • 2 Self-authored statements • DD Form 214 • Judgment and Decree of Dissolution of Marriage, 24 May 2013 • Petition for Change of Name, 29 December 2022 • Certificate of Live Birth, 21 June 1983 • 2 Driver Licenses, issue dates obscured • Social Security card, 7 March 2013 • Social Security Administration letter, 6 January 2023 • 2 National Sex Offender Public Website searches, 29 December 2022 FACTS: 1. The applicant states, in effect, she enlisted in the U.S. Army under a contested name; however, it was not her biological father's name. Her biological father is also a veteran and her enlistment under the contested name is an injustice. She married and divorced and has documentation of her legal name changes. She requests to restore her records to reflect only what should have been her maiden name. She states she was wrongfully named and not fathered by the man listed on her birth certificate and she wants to correct her legacy for herself and her children. 2. The applicant enlisted in the Regular Army on 14 March 2002. Her DD Form 4 (Enlistment/Reenlistment Document – Armed Forces of the United States) lists one of her contested names (Dis___). She signed her contract using this last name. 3. Her records contain a DA Form 4187 (Personnel Action) which states she married on 22 August 2006 and requested to change her name from Dis___ to Hic___ (to what ultimately becomes the marital contested name). 4. Having completed her required active service, the applicant was honorably released from active duty on 13 March 2007. The DD Form 214 she was issued shows in: • Block 1 (Name (Last, First, Middle) the last name Hic__ • Block 18 (Remarks), Other Name(s) of Record: First Name, Middle Name, Dish___ • Block 19b (Nearest Relative), the name of a person with the last name as Hic__ and address • Block 21 (Signature of Member Being Separated), the applicant’s signature using the last name Hic__ 5. On 16 February 2010, the applicant was honorably discharged from the U.S. Army Reserve. Her orders list her marital contested name. 6. The applicant provides: a. An approved and so ordered Judgment and Decree of Dissolution of Marriage effective 24 May 2013, issued by the Circuit Court of [County] [State]. The document states her name was restored to her enlistment contested name (Dis__). b. A Petition for Change of Name dated 29 December 2022, in which she petitioned the Probate Court of [County] [Another State] to change her name from Dis___ to Hen__. c. Certificate of Live Birth dated 21 June 1983, reflective of her last name Dis__. d. A driver license which shows her requested name and a letter from the Social Security Administration dated 6 January 2023, addressed to her requested name (Dis_) which states, in effect, that her new social security card should arrive in 2 weeks. e. A printout titled National Sex Offender Public Website indicating a search yielded zero results for the last name Dis___. 7. Army Regulation 635-8 (Separation Documents) 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. It states to compare original enlistment contract or appointment order and review official record for possible name changes. If a name change has occurred list other names of record in block 18. BOARD DISCUSSION: After reviewing the application, all supporting documents, and the evidence found within the military record, the Board found that relief was not warranted. The applicant’s contentions, the military record, and regulatory guidance were carefully considered. The evidence of record shows the applicant enlisted under the last name Dis__. During her active service, she requested a name change to Hic___. She held this new name at the time of her separation. Her DD Form 214 correctly listed the name she held at the time of separation, and in the Remarks block, any other names she used. The Board determined there is no error or injustice. Additionally, the entry pertaining to the nearest relative and/or mailing address after separation is provided by the Soldier to the official preparing the DD Form 214. The applicant appears to have provided the name and mailing address that is shown in item 19b of his DD Form 214. Again, the Board determined there is no error or injustice. BOARD VOTE: Mbr 1 Mbr 2 Mbr 3 : : : GRANT FULL RELIEF : : : GRANT PARTIAL RELIEF : : : GRANT FORMAL HEARING xx: xx: xx: 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. 8/29/2023 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. Army Regulation 635-8 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. It states to compare original enlistment contract or appointment order and review official record for possible name changes. If a name change has occurred list other names of record in block 18. 2. Block 19b of the DD Form 214 is provided by the Soldier. The Soldier should be advised that the name and address of a relative should be someone who will know 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. 3. Block 21 of the DD Form 214 shows that the signature indicates a Soldier has reviewed the DD Form 214 and accepts the information as being correct to the best of his or her knowledge. Digital signature is the authorized signature method for the Regular Army. When a Soldier is not available (separated in absentia), enter "SOLDIER NOT AVAILABLE TO SIGN." When Soldier refuses to sign, enter "SOLDIER REFUSED TO SIGN." When a Soldier is physically unable to digitally sign, enter "UNABLE TO DIGITALLY SIGN." //NOTHING FOLLOWS//