IN THE CASE OF: BOARD DATE: 17 January 2013 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20120012812 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 item 3 (Social Security Number (SSN)) of his DD Form 214 (Report of Separation from Active Duty) to show "2" as the third digit instead of "4." 2. The applicant states his SSN is incorrect on his DD Form 214. 3. The applicant provides a copy of his DD Form 214 and social security card. 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. He enlisted in the Regular Army on 3 February 1975. His DD Form 4 (Enlistment Contract – Armed Forces of the United States) listed his SSN with the number "4" in the third digit. His DA Form 2-1 (Personnel Qualification Record) which was created upon his entry on active duty also listed the number "4" in the third digit; however, it appears the number "4" was later lined out and replaced with the number "2." 3. Although many of the documents in his service records listed his SSN with the number "4" in the third digit, some documents, including a Request and Authority for Leave, Enlisted Evaluation Reports, and his discharge orders show a "2" as the third digit. He authenticated some of these documents by placing his signature in the appropriate block. 4. He was discharged on 2 February 1978. Item 3 of his DD Form 214 shows his SSN as "XX4-XX-XXXX" (the number "4" is shown as the third digit). 5. He provides a copy of his social security card with the SSN "XX2-XX-XXXX." 6. Army Regulation 635-5 (Separation Documents) establishes the standardized policy for preparing and distributing the DD Form 214. The regulation directs that the purpose of the separation document is to provide the individual with documentary evidence of his or her military service. It is important that information entered on the form should be complete and accurate. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: The evidence of record shows the applicant mostly used an SSN that contained a "2" as the third digit during his military service. It appears when his enlistment document and DA Form 2-1 were created a "4" was inadvertently listed as the third digit. The error was further compounded when his DD Form 214 was prepared inadvertently listing a "4" instead of "2" as the third digit. Therefore, he is entitled to correction of his DD Form 214 to show his SSN as it is listed on his social security card. BOARD VOTE: ____X___ ____X___ ___X__ _ GRANT FULL RELIEF ________ ________ ________ GRANT PARTIAL RELIEF ________ ________ ________ GRANT FORMAL HEARING ________ ________ ________ DENY APPLICATION BOARD DETERMINATION/RECOMMENDATION: The Board determined that the evidence presented was sufficient to warrant a recommendation for relief. As a result, the Board recommends that all Department of the Army records of the individual concerned be corrected by amending item 3 of his DD Form 214 to show his SSN as it is listed on his social security card. _______ _ 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) AR20120012812 3 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 1 ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20120012812 3 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 1