Docket No: 4505-19 
Ref    Signature Date 
 
From:  Chairman, Board for Correction of Naval Records 
To:    Secretary of the Navy 
 
Subj:         
 
Ref:   (a) 10 U.S.C. § 1552 
       (b) OSD/DOD Name Change Provisions/Guidance 
 
Encl:  (1) DD Form 149 w/ attachments 
 
1.  Pursuant to reference (a), Petitioner, a former enlisted sailor, filed the enclosure with the Board for Correction of Naval Records (Board) requesting a change to his naval record, specifically, to correct the record to reflect a name change. 
 
 2.  The Board, consisting of, reviewed Petitioner’s allegations of error and injustice on 7 November 2019, and pursuant to its regulations, determined that the corrective action indicated below should be taken on the available evidence of record.  Documentary material considered by the Board consisted of the enclosures, relevant portions of Petitioner’s naval records, and applicable statutes, regulations, and policies. 
 
3.  The Board, having reviewed all the facts of record pertaining to Petitioner’s allegations of error and injustice finds as follows: 
 
    a.  Before applying to this Board, Petitioner exhausted all administrative remedies available under existing law and regulations within the Department of the Navy. 
 
    b.  Petitioner enlisted in the Navy on 16 July 2013.  He was discharged with an honorable characterization of service on 15 July 2017 after completion of his required active service.  In this regard, Petitioner was issued a Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty (DD Form 214) based on the name used while serving in the Navy, specifically “ .” 
 
    c.  At the time of Petitioner’s enlistment into the Navy, Petitioner’s legal name was “ .”  After discharge from the Navy, Petitioner, who is transgender, had his name legally changed from ” to “” to align with his gender identity. 
 
    d.  Based on the guidance reflected in reference (b), from the Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD) and Department of Defense (DOD), former military personnel who have legally changed their name and sex, or are the subject of gender reassignment, may have their DD Form 214 changed to accurately reflect their present name and gender.  In this regard, the change may allow them to obtain various benefits, services, employment, etc., without being subject to otherwise invasive questions.  However, the guidance only applies to the service-member’s DD Form 214, and as such, no further changes will be made to the record. 
 
CONCLUSION: 
 
Upon review and consideration of all the evidence of record, the Board concludes Petitioner’s request warrants favorable action. 
 
The Board noted Petitioner has provided legal evidence (specifically, the  court order, driver’s license, reissued birth certificate, and social security card) supporting his request.  The Board found the legal actions taken by civilian authorities to change Petitioner’s name to align with his gender identity, along with the guidance of reference (b), support a change to DD Form 214. 
 
In this regard, the Board noted that normally a DD Form 215 would be issued to correct the record, however, the Board concluded that a new and updated DD Form 214 is warranted to eliminate the possibility of invasive questions.  The Board further concluded that no other changes should be made to Petitioner’s record, and that both the previously issued DD Form 214 bearing the name ” and the new DD Form 214 bearing the name ” should remain in the record for historical purposes. 
 
RECOMMENDATION: 
 
In view of the above, the Board directs the following corrective action: 
 
That Petitioner’s naval record, specifically, Block 1 of the DD Form 214, be corrected to reflect the name “.” 
 
That Petitioner be issued a new DD Form 214 which reflects the name “ .” 
 
That a copy of this report of proceedings be filed in Petitioner’s naval record, along with the previously issued DD Form 214 which reflects the name “” and the updated DD Form 214 which reflects the name ”. 
 
4.  It is certified that a quorum was present at the Board’s review and deliberations, and that the foregoing is a true and complete record of the Board’s proceedings in the above entitled matter. 
 
5.  Pursuant to the delegation of authority set out in Section 6(e) of the revised Procedures of the Board for Correction of Naval Records (32 Code of Federal Regulations, Section 723.6(e)) and having assured compliance with its provisions, it is hereby announced that the foregoing corrective action, taken under the authority of reference (a), has been approved by the Board on behalf of the Secretary of the Navy.