IN THE CASE OF:	  

		BOARD DATE:	  9 December 2014

		DOCKET NUMBER:  AR20140007774 


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 her military records be corrected to reflect her new name.

2.  The applicant states that she was married in “2014.”

3.  The applicant provides copies of her marriage license, DD Form 214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty), drivers license, and military identification cards for herself and spouse.

CONSIDERATION OF EVIDENCE:

1.  The applicant was serving on active duty as a U.S. Army Reserve master sergeant when she was retired on 30 September 2003.  Her DD Form 214 reflects the name she was serving under at the time of her retirement.

2.  The applicant was married in Georgia on 14 February 2013.

3.  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.  Changes that occur subsequent to the date of separation will not be entered on that form retroactively unless the change occurred during the period covered by that form and the change was approved by the appropriate authority. 

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS:

1.  The applicant’s records reflect the name in which she served under at the time she was retired and her DD Form 214 correctly reflect that information.  She  changed her name when she married subsequent to her retirement.  Accordingly, there is no error or injustice in his case.

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 her name in her 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 her application will be filed in her official military personnel file (OMPF).  This should serve to clarify any questions or confusion in regard to the difference in the name recorded in her military record and to satisfy her desire to have her current name documented in her OMPF.  Accordingly, there is no basis for granting the applicant's requested relief.

4.  However, if it is the applicant's retired pay records that she wishes to update the Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS) has stated in previous cases that it is their policy to refer retirees to the U.S. Army Human Resources Command to approve a name change.  The applicant should therefore provide supporting documentation to:  Commander, Human Resources Command, ATTN:  AHRC-PDR-VI, 1600 Spearhead Division Avenue, Fort Knox, KY  40122 requesting approval of her name change and inform DFAS when it has been approved.

BOARD VOTE:

________  ________  ________  GRANT FULL RELIEF 

________  ________  ________  GRANT PARTIAL RELIEF 

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

____X____  ___X_____  ____X____  DENY APPLICATION



BOARD DETERMINATION/RECOMMENDATION:

1. 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.

2.  The Board wants the applicant and all others concerned to know that this action in no way diminishes the sacrifices made by the applicant in service to the United States during the Global War on Terrorism.  The applicant and all Americans should be justifiably proud of her service in arms.



      ____________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)                                         AR20140007774





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ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont)                                         AR20140007774



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