BOARD DATE: 9 August 2011 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20100028225 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 his records to show the last four digits of his social security number (SSN) as "6224" instead of "6556." 2. The applicant states he retired from the Army by reason of disability in 2009. When he went to the Social Security Administration (SSA) to apply for disability, he was told the SSN he had been using was not his. He was also informed that his father had previously applied for a social security card for him. 3. The applicant provides: * SSA verification letter * Report of Confidential SS Benefit Information * DD Forms 214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) for the periods ending 9 July 2009, 4 September 2003, and 11 August 2008 * Certificate of live birth * Social security card * State driver license CONSIDERATION OF EVIDENCE: 1. The applicant's records show he initially enlisted in the U.S. Army Reserve (USAR) on 31 March 1983. Item 2 (SSN) of his DD Form 4 (Enlistment/ Reenlistment Document) listed his SSN as "xxx-xx-6556." He authenticated this form by placing his signature in the appropriate block. 2. His DA Form 2-1 (Personnel Qualification Record) which was created upon his enlistment in the USAR listed his SSN with the last four digits as "6556." He reviewed this form on multiple occasions and placed his signature in the appropriate block. 3. He executed multiple reenlistments in the USAR, including a 5-year reenlistment on 2 April 1985, a 3-year reenlistment on 23 October 1989, a 4-year reenlistment on 15 July 1992, a 2-year reenlistment on 12 April 1996, a 3-year reenlistment on 21 May 1998, and a 6-year reenlistment on 4 November 2001. In each case, he indicated his SSN contained the number "6556" in the last four digits and he authenticated each reenlistment contract by placing his signature in the appropriate blocks. 4. His official records contain various documents, including military occupational specialty orders, multiple promotion orders, multiple award orders and/or certificates, various medical documents, several evaluation reports, multiple DD Forms 214, and several other documents listing his SSN with the numbers "6556" in the last four digits. He authenticated some of these documents by placing his signature where necessary. 5. He was honorably retired on 9 July 2009 by reason of physical disability and he was placed on the retired list in his retired rank of staff sergeant on 10 July 2009. Item 3 (SSN) of his retirement DD Form 214 lists his SSN with the numbers "6556" in the last four digits. He authenticated this form by placing his signature in item 21 (Signature of Member being Separated). 6. He submitted: * Social security card and a statement, dated 8 September 2009, from the SSA indicating that SSN "xx-xx-6224" is assigned to him * A Report of Confidential SS Benefit Information, dated 8 September 2009 wherein he listed his SSN with the number "6224" in the last four digits * Certificate of birth and a driver license DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: 1. The evidence of record shows the applicant enlisted in the USAR on 31 March 1983 using SSN "xxx-xx-6556." He consistently used this SSN throughout his entire period of military service, including multiple enlistments or reenlistments. He authenticated several documents by placing his signature in the appropriate blocks, indicating this was his correct SSN. He did not use the requested SSN during the time he served in an active or inactive duty status. 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. There is a reluctance to recommend that those records be changed. While it is understandable that the applicant desires to now record his new SSN in his military records, there is not a sufficiently compelling reason for compromising the integrity of the Army's records at this late date. 3. Therefore, lacking convincing independent and verifiable evidence to the contrary, it is presumed the applicant's military service records, including the DD Form 214, was correct at the time and there is insufficient evidence to grant him relief in this case. 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) AR20100028225 3 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 1 ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20100028225 2 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 1