BOARD DATE: 9 October 2014 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20140004154 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 that his military records be corrected to show his last name as “Bxxxt.” 2. The applicant states that he served under the last name of “Rxxxn” but later found out that his real last name is “Bxxxt.” 3. The applicant provides copies of his birth certificate, DD Form 214 (Report of Separation from Active Duty), Social Security Card, and driver’s license. 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’s records were not available for review by the Board. However, the documents provided by the applicant are sufficient to conduct a fair and impartial review of his case. 3. The applicant was serving in the California Army National Guard (CAARNG) under the last name of “Rxxxn” when he was ordered to initial active duty training on 15 February 1974. 4. On 31 March 1974, he was honorably released from active duty training under the trainee discharge program and was returned to his CAARNG unit. His DD Form 214 issued at the time of his release was prepared to reflect the last name of “Rxxxn.” He had served 1 month and 16 days of active service. 5. All of the documents provided by the applicant reflect a last name of “Bxxxt. 6. Army Regulation 635-5 (Separation Documents) at the time served as the authority for the preparation of the DD Form 214. It provides that the DD Form 214 will be prepared to reflect information that is current as of the effective date of separation. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: 1. The applicant enlisted and served all of his service under the last name of “Rxxxn.” 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 change his last name 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 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 last name recorded in his military record and to satisfy his desire to have his correct last name documented in his OMPF. Accordingly, there is no basis for granting the applicant's 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) AR20140004154 3 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 1 ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20140004154 2 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 1