IN THE CASE OF:	  

		BOARD DATE:	  3 February 2011

		DOCKET NUMBER:  AR20100018620 


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 correction of her DD Form 214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) to change her last name from C-----n to O---n.

2.  The applicant states she changed her last name when she married on 30 June 2010.  She would like her DD Form 214 changed to reflect her married name.

3.  The applicant provides her State of Maine Certificate of Marriage.

CONSIDERATION OF EVIDENCE:

1.  The applicant’s military records show she enlisted in the Regular Army on
27 January 1997 with the last name C-----n.  She was advanced to the rank/grade of specialist (SPC)/E-4.  She was honorably released from active duty on 26 January 2001 under same last name in which she enlisted.

2.  The Certificate of Marriage provided by the applicant show she married
M------ C. O---n on 29 June 2010.

3.  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 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.  In the applicant's case the records reflect the correct last name under which her military service was performed.

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 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, there is a reluctance to recommend that those records be changed.  While it is understandable the applicant desires to now record her correct last name in her military records, there is not a sufficiently compelling reason for compromising the integrity of the Army’s records at this late date.  

3.  The applicant is advised that a copy of this decisional document along with her application and the supporting evidence she provided, which confirms her correct last name, will be filed in his Official Military Personnel File (OMPF).  This should serve to clarify any questions or confusion in regard to the difference in the last name recorded in her military record and to satisfy her desire to have her correct last name documented in his OMPF.

4.  In view of the forgoing, there is no basis for granting the applicant's request.

BOARD VOTE:

________  ________  ________  GRANT FULL RELIEF 

________  ________  ________  GRANT PARTIAL RELIEF 

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

____X____  ____X____  ___X_____  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.



      ___________X_____________
               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)                                         AR20100018620



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ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont)                                         AR20100018620



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