IN THE CASE OF: BOARD DATE: 16 December 2014 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20140007973 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 the name be changed on a DD Form 214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) with a separation date of 6 March 2006. 2. The applicant states a legal name change was obtained in an Illinois Circuit Court. 3. The applicant provides a Judgment Order, dated 28 February 2014. 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. On 7 March 2000, the applicant enlisted in the Regular Army for 5 years. On 7 March 2004, the applicant immediately reenlisted for 2 years. The name under which the applicant enlisted and reenlisted is the same on DD Forms 4 (Enlistment/ Reenlistment Document, Armed Forces of the United States) dated 7 March 2000 and 7 March 2004. 3. All documents throughout the applicant's Military Personnel Records Jacket (MPRJ) reflect the same name as above. 4. On 6 March 2006, the applicant was released from active duty. The DD Form 214 issued at that time shows the same name shown on the DD Forms 4 and throughout the applicant's MPRJ. 5. A Judgment Order, dated 28 February 2014, from the Circuit Court of Cook County, IL, changed the applicant's name to a name other than what is shown on the applicant's DD Form 214. 6. Army Regulation 635-5 (Separation Documents) at the time established 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 at the time of release from active duty, retirement, or discharge. It is important that information entered on the form be complete and accurate and reflects the conditions as they existed at the time of separation. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: 1. All documents in the applicant's MPRJ, including the DD Forms 4 and the DD Form 214, show the same name. A name change was not ordered until 2014, 8 years after the applicant's release from active duty. The applicant does not explain why the records should be corrected now. 2. For historical purposes, 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. 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 record the legal name in 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 will be filed in the applicant's MPRJ. This should serve to clarify any questions or confusion in regard to the difference in the name recorded in the applicant's military record and the name now used. 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) AR20140007973 3 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 1 ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20140007973 3 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 1