IN THE CASE OF:	  

		BOARD DATE:  15 November 2012

		DOCKET NUMBER:  AR20120009054 


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 (Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge) to show his name as "STEPHEN J____ LEE S___R."

2.  He states his name should be "STEPHEN J____ LEE S___R" vice "STEVEN J____ S___RS."

3.  He provides his:

* DD Form 214 
* National Guard Bureau Form 22 (Report of Separation and Record of Service in the Army National Guard of Tennessee and as a Reserve of the Army)
* birth certificate

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 was inducted into the Army of the United States on 25 February 1964 under the name "STEVEN J____ S___RS."

3.  All of the official documents contained in his Army Military Human Resources Record show his name as "STEVEN J____ S___RS."

4.  The State of Tennessee Department of Public Health Division of Vital Statistics Delayed Certificate of Birth shows his name as "STEPHEN J____ LEE S___R."

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.  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.  The regulation also establishes standardized policy for the preparation of the DD Form 214 and contains preparation instructions in chapter 2.  The instructions for completing item 1 (Last Name – First Name – Middle Name) state to enter the name as it is recorded in the military record.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS:

1.  While the applicant's desire to change his military records and his DD Form 214 to reflect his name as shown on his birth certificate is understood, the available evidence shows he entered, served, and was separated from active duty under the name that is listed on his DD Form 214 and all other documents in his Army Military Human Resources Record.

2.  The Army has an interest in maintaining the integrity 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 appears to be no compelling reason to compromise the integrity of the Army's records by changing his name at this late date.

3.  This Record of Proceedings will be filed in his Army Military Human Resources Record to provide clarity and to deal with any confusion that may arise regarding the difference in the name he used when he served on active duty and the name he currently uses.
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)                                         AR20120009054



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ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont)                                         AR20120009054



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