BOARD DATE: 23 September 2014 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20140003461 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, the brother of a deceased former service member (FSM), requests the FSM's DD Form 214 (Report of Separation from Active Duty) be corrected to show his social security number (SSN) as xxx-x1-4453 instead of xxx-x5-9605. 2. The applicant states the SSN shown on the FSM's DD Form 214 is different than the SSN shown on his social security card. 3. The applicant provides: * DD Form 214 * copy of the FSM's social security card * Facts of Death Verification form * birth and death certificates CONSIDERATION OF EVIDENCE: 1. On 17 May 1972, prior to his enlistment in the Regular Army, the FSM completed a DD Form 398 (Statement of Personal History) in which he listed his SSN as xxx-x5-9605. 2. The FSM enlisted in the Regular Army on 23 June 1972. His DD Form 4 (Enlistment Contract) shows his SSN as xxx-x5-9605. 3. A review of the FSM's Official Military Personnel File (OMPF) revealed that he listed his SSN as xxx-x5-9605 throughout his entire military service. There is no evidence in his OMPF showing he ever listed the SSN the applicant claims is correct. 4. The FSM was released from active duty on 14 June 1974. His DD Form 214 shows his SSN as xxx-x5-9605. 5. The applicant provides documentation that shows the FSM's SSN as xxx-x1-4453. 6. Army Regulation 635-5 (Separations Documents), in effect during the FSM's active duty service, prescribed the separation documents prepared for Soldiers upon retirement, discharge, or release from active military service or control of the Army. It established standardized policy for the preparation of the DD Form 214. It stated the DD Form 214 is a synopsis of the Soldier's most recent period of continuous active service. 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. The applicant's contention that the FSM's DD Form 214 should be corrected to show a different SSN has been carefully considered. 2. The evidence of record shows the FSM listed his SSN as xxx-x5-9605 throughout his entire military service. 3. 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 showing a 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 brother's correct SSN in his military records, there is not a sufficiently compelling reason for compromising the integrity of the Army’s records. 4. Based on the foregoing there is no basis to grant the requested relief. 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) AR20140003461 3 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 1 ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20140003461 2 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 1