IN THE CASE OF: BOARD DATE: 12 March 2015 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20140012963 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 his DD Form 214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) to show his date of birth (DOB) as 27 February 1948 instead of 25 February 1948. 2. The applicant states that his DD Form 214 incorrectly reflects his DOB . 3. The applicant provides copies of his DD Form 214 and birth certificate. 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 enlisted in the Regular Army in Houston, Texas on 5 March 1968 for a period of 3 years and training in the clerical career management field. At the time of his enlistment he indicated his DOB as being 25 February 1948. 3. He completed all of his training at Fort Polk, Louisiana, served two tours in Vietnam and remained on active duty through a series of continuous reenlistments using the same DOB (25 February 1948). 4. On 31 July 1990, he was retired by reason of length of service. He had served 22 years, 4 months and 26 days of active service and was placed on the Retired List in the pay grade of E-8. His DD Form 214 issued at the time of his retirement shows his DOB as 25 February 1948. 5. The birth certificate provided by the applicant shows his DOB as 27 February 1948. 6. Army Regulation 635-5 (Separation Documents) serves as the authority for preparation of the DD Form 214. It provides that the DD Form 214 will be prepared to reflect information as it exists in the official records at the time of separation. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: 1. At the time the applicant enlisted his DOB was reflected in his records as 25 February 1948 and he has not offered any explanation as to why he served under this DOB for 22+ years. Therefore, there is an insufficient evidentiary basis for granting the applicant's requested relief. 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 record his DOB as shown on his birth certificate 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 will be filed in his official records. This should serve to clarify any questions or confusion in regard to the difference in the DOB recorded in his military record and the DOB shown on his birth certificate. 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) AR20140012963 3 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 1 ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20140012963 2 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 1