IN THE CASE OF:	   

		BOARD DATE:	  4 June 2015

		DOCKET NUMBER:  AR20140017704 


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) and, in effect, all other records to show his middle and last names as "R--N W---H" instead of "B---N W---E."

2.  The applicant states he legally changed his middle and last names to "R--N W---H."

3.  The applicant provides:

* Order and Certificate of Name Change and Amendment of Birth Record
* DD Form 214
* Social Security Card
* South Carolina Driver's License
* 2 U.S.A. Passports

CONSIDERATION OF EVIDENCE:

1.  The applicant enlisted in the Regular Army (RA) on 23 July 1997.  Item 1 (NAME) of his DD Form 4/1 (Enlistment/Reenlistment Document - Armed Forces of the United States) lists his middle and last names as "B---N W---E."

2.  The applicant's records contain various personnel documents that show the applicant's middle and last names as "B---N W---E."  Many of these forms are authenticated by the applicant using this name.

3.  The applicant was honorably discharged on 29 September 2006.  Item 1 (Name) of the DD Form 214 he was issued shows the applicant's middle and last names as "B---N W---E."

4.  The applicant provides an Order and Certificate of Name Change and Amendment of Birth Record from the 11th Judicial Circuit, State of South Carolina, which shows he legally changed his middle and last names to               "R--N W---H" on 6 March 2014.  He further provides a driver's license and social security card and U.S.A. passports showing his middle and last names as he requests. 

5.  Army Regulation 635-5 (Separation Documents), then in effect, prescribed the separation documents prepared for Soldiers upon retirement, discharge, or release from active military service or control of the Army.  It states 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 evidence of record shows that upon his enlistment in the RA on 23 July 1997, the applicant listed his middle and last names as "B---N W---E."  This name is consistent with the middle and last names on every document in the applicant's service records.

2.  The Army has an interest in maintaining the integrity of its records for historical purposes.  The information in those records must reflect the conditions and circumstances that existed at the time the records were created.  The applicant provides insufficient evidence to support his contention.  In the absence of compelling information to the contrary, there is no basis for changing the applicant's middle and last names in this case.

3.  A copy of this decisional document will be filed in the applicant's military records.  This should serve to clarify any questions or confusion regarding the 
spelling of his middle and last names and adequately document the current spelling of his middle and last names in these records.







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)                                         AR20140017704





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ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont)                                         AR20140017704



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