RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS


IN THE MATTER OF: 			DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2014-03471

  					COUNSEL:  NONE

					HEARING DESIRED:  NO 



APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

The name on her DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge 
from Active Duty, be changed as follows:  

Her first name be changed to add an “a” on the end; and,

The middle name be deleted.


APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

She never used her legal name, XXXXXX, and never had a problem 
using a shorter version of it until now.  Security issues are 
prompting her to have it changed.  She provides copies of her 
Social Security Administration Number (SSAN) and Florida 
Driver’s License (FL DL) showing her legal name.

The applicant’s complete submission, with attachments, is at 
Exhibit A.


STATEMENT OF FACTS:

On 11 Jun 82, the applicant entered the Air Force Reserves. 

On 11 Mar 96 the applicant was honorably discharged from the Air 
Force Reserve.  

On 15 May 15, the applicant was forwarded a copy of the SAF/MR 
memorandum, dated 9 Mar 15, that was provided in order to comply 
with 10 U.S.C. §1556.  Specifically, the memorandum notes that 
the DD Form 214 is a document primarily created for the benefit 
of the veteran to establish entitlement to various government 
programs or in seeking employment with organizations that grant 
a veterans' preference.  However, any such name change should be 
limited only to the DD 214; any change to an applicant's other 
records to reflect a post-service name change should rarely be 
recommended, and only in the most unusual cases.  The AFBCMR 
should require proof that the applicant's name was legally 
changed.  A signed and authenticated court order should be 
required. Further, the correction should be to the DD 214 and 
for the limited purposes of mitigating an injustice caused by 
use of the DD Form 214.  


AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

AFPC/DPSIR recommends denial indicating there is no evidence of 
an error or an injustice.  In correcting an applicant’s DD Form 
214, Air Force Instruction 36-2608, Military Personnel Records 
System, Table A7.3, Note 5 states “Do not correct records of 
former members unless evidence proves the name used while 
serving with the Air Force was erroneously recorded.”  In the 
case of the applicant’s DD Form 214 dated 16 Dec 82, a review of 
her official military records revealed that she enlisted, served 
and was discharged under the name of “XXXXXXXXXXXXXX.”  
Therefore, DPSIR is unable to amend her military record after 
the fact.  

In the matter of correcting the DD Form 214 dated 21 Jul 91, a 
review of her official military records revealed an Air Force 
Form 281, Notification of Change in Service Member’s Official 
Record, dated 26 Jul 84 that officially changed her name to 
“XXXXXXXXXXXXX.”  There were no subsequent Air Force Forms 
281 found in her record.  Since the applicant served and was 
discharged under the name “XXXXXXXXXXX,” it does not 
appear to have been erroneously recorded.  The Marriage 
Certificate changing the applicant’s name is dated 20 Mar 09, 
which is after the applicant’s period of service.  In addition, 
the applicant has no continuing affiliation with the Air Force 
as a Reserve member or retiree.  Therefore, DPSIR is unable to 
amend the military record after the fact.    

The complete DPSIR evaluation is at Exhibit C.


APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

A copy of the Air Force evaluation was forwarded to the 
applicant on 10 Oct 14 for review and comment within 30 days 
(Exhibit D).  As of this date, no response has been received by 
this office.


THE BOARD CONCLUDES THAT:

1.  The applicant has exhausted all remedies provided by 
existing law or regulations.

2.  The application was not timely filed; however, it is in the 
interest of justice to excuse the failure to timely file.

3.  Insufficient relevant evidence has been presented to 
demonstrate the existence of an error or injustice.  We took 
notice of the applicant’s complete submission, including copies 
of her marriage license, passport photo, Florida driver’s 
license and SSAN card, in judging the merits of the case; 
however, we agree with the opinion and recommendation of the Air 
Force office of primary responsibility and adopt its rationale 
as the basis for our conclusion the applicant has not been the 
victim of an error of injustice.  While we acknowledge the 
applicant’s request to change her name because of the 
difficulties she is experiencing due to security concerns, we do 
not believe she has demonstrated evidence of an injustice, as 
compared to others in her similar situation.  Therefore, in the 
absence of evidence to the contrary, we find no basis to 
recommend granting the requested relief.


THE BOARD DETERMINES THAT:

The applicant be notified the evidence presented did not 
demonstrate the existence of material error or injustice; the 
application was denied without a personal appearance; and the 
application will only be reconsidered upon the submission of 
newly discovered relevant evidence not considered with this 
application.


The following documentary evidence pertaining to AFBCMR Docket 
Number BC-2014-03471 was considered:

	Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 18 Aug 14, w/atchs.
	Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
	Exhibit C.  Memorandum, AFPC/DPSIR, dated 19 Sep 14.
	Exhibit D.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 10 Oct 14.