BOARD DATE:	  9 August 2011

		DOCKET NUMBER:  AR20110003168 


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 DD Form 214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) to show his social security number as 
"XXX-X2-XXXX" instead of "XXX-X7-XXXX."

2.  The applicant states his social security number was incorrectly completed by his recruiting officer in November 1976.  He states he previously requested this correction on 20 July 1987 but never received an answer.

3.  The applicant provides:

* social security card
* DD Form 214
* DD Form 4 (Enlistment or Reenlistment Agreement – Armed Forces of the United States), pages 1 and 3
* DA Form 3286-40 (Statements for Enlistment – Delayed Entry Program)
* letter from the Special Actions Branch, U.S. Army Reserve Personnel Center, dated 27 May 1987

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.  A review of documents contained in his military personnel records shows his social security number consistently appears as "XXX-X7-XXXX" throughout his tenure of service.

3.  Item 3 (Social Security Number) of his DD Form 214 shows his social security number as "XXX-X7-XXXX."

4.  The applicant provides a copy of his social security card which shows his social security number as "XXX-X2-XXXX."

5.  Army Regulation 635-5 (Separation Documents) prescribes the separation documents prepared for Soldiers upon retirement, discharge, or release from active military service or control of the Army.  This regulation establishes standardized policy for the preparation of the DD Form 214.  At the time of the applicant's separation, the instructions stated to verify the accuracy of the Soldier's social security number with the social security number of record.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS:

1.  Although the applicant requests correction of his DD Form 214 to show the social security number recorded on his social security card, all documents in his military service records show he served under the social security number shown on his DD Form 214.

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 his correct social security number 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.  The applicant is advised that a copy of this decisional document along with his application and the supporting evidence he provided which confirms his correct social security number 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 social security number recorded in his military records and to satisfy his desire to have his correct social security number documented in his OMPF.

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 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)                                         AR20110003168



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ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont)                                         AR20110003168



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