IN THE CASE OF: BOARD DATE: 4 November 2008 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20080014436 THE BOARD CONSIDERED THE FOLLOWING EVIDENCE: 1. Application for correction of military records (with supporting documents provided, if any). 2. Military Personnel Records and advisory opinions (if any). THE APPLICANT'S REQUEST, STATEMENT, AND EVIDENCE: 1. The applicant requests that the seventh and eighth digits in item 3 (Social Security Number (SSN)) on his DD Form 214 (Report of Separation from Active Duty) for the period ending 11 March 1976 be corrected. 2. The applicant states that his SSN is incorrect on his DD Form 214 for the period ending 11 March 1976 and that he believes it was a typographical error and the numbers were transposed. He contends that the seventh digit of his SSN is “6” and the eighth digit is “9.” 3. The applicant provides a copy of his DD Form 214 for the period ending 11 March 1976; a Social Security card; and a statement from the Social Security Administration, in support of his application. CONSIDERATION OF EVIDENCE: 1. Title 10, U.S. 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 Army Board for Correction of Military Records (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. While it appears the applicant did not file within the time frame provided in the statute of limitations, the ABCMR has elected to conduct a substantive review of this case and, only to the extent relief, if any, is granted, has determined it is in the interest of justice to excuse the applicant’s failure to timely file. In all other respects, there are insufficient bases to waive the statute of limitations for timely filing. 2. The applicant’s enlistment contract, dated 18 March 1974, shows the seventh digit of his SSN is “9” and the eighth digit is “6.” He enlisted on 18 March 1974 for a period of 3 years. On 11 March 1976, he was released from active duty. 3. Item 3 on the applicant’s DD Form 214 for the period ending 11 March 1976 shows the seventh digit of his SSN is “9” and the eighth digit is “6.” 4. The applicant’s service personnel records show the seventh digit of his SSN is “9” and the eighth digit is “6.” 5. The applicant subsequently served on active duty from 3 March 1981 to 7 April 1982. All of his service personnel records during this enlistment and his DD Form 214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) for the period ending 7 April 1982 show the seventh digit of his SSN is “9” and the eighth digit is “6.” 6. In support of his claim, the applicant provided a letter, dated 12 August 2008, from the Social Security Administration which shows the seventh digit of his SSN is “6” and the eighth digit is “9.” 7. Army Regulation 635-5 prescribes the separation documents prepared for Soldiers upon retirement, discharge, or release from active military service or control of the Army. It establishes standardized policy for the preparation of the DD Form 214. In pertinent part it states that the DD Form 214 is a synopsis of the Soldier's most recent period of continuous active duty. It provides a brief, clear-cut record of active Army service at the time of release from active duty, retirement or discharge. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: 1. Evidence of record shows the same SSN was used at the time of the applicant’s 1974 enlistment, his 1981 enlistment, his release from active duty on 11 March 1976, and his discharge on 7 April 1982. 2. For historical purposes, the Army has an interest in maintaining the accuracy of its records. The data and information contained in those records should actually 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, this Board is reluctant to recommend that those records be changed. This Board action will be filed in the applicant’s military records so a record of his SSN will be on hand. BOARD VOTE: ________ ________ ________ GRANT FULL RELIEF ________ ________ ________ GRANT PARTIAL RELIEF ________ ________ ________ GRANT FORMAL HEARING ________ ________ ________ DENY APPLICATION BOARD DETERMINATION/RECOMMENDATION: The evidence presented does not demonstrate the existence of a probable error or injustice. Therefore, the Board determined that the overall merits of this case are insufficient as a basis for correction of the records of the individual concerned. ______________________ CHAIRPERSON 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. ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20080014436 3 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 1 ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20080014436 3 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 1