IN THE CASE OF: BOARD DATE: 7 July 2015 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20140019890 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 (Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge) to show his service number (SN) and social security number (SSN) as "xxx-xx-0xxx" instead of the entry "NONE" and "xxx-xx-8xxx", respectively. 2. The applicant states his SN is supposed to be his SSN. 3. The applicant provides: * DD Form 214 * Social Security Card 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 was inducted into the Army of the United States on 11 May 1971. His records contain a DD Form 47 (Record of Induction), item 1 (Last Name - First Name - Middle Name) contains the applicant's full name and his SSN is listed in the block as "xxx-xx-8xxx." Item 2 (SN) is blank. 3. There is no evidence SSN "xxx-xx-0xxx" was ever used by the applicant during his military service. 4. On 8 May 1973, he was honorably released from active duty and transferred to the U.S. Army Reserve Control Group (Annual Training). Item 3 (SSN) of the DD Form 214 contained in his official military personnel file shows the entry "xxx-xx-8xxx." Item 2 (SN) shows the entry "NONE." 5. The applicant provides a Social Security Card that shows his SSN as "xxx-xx-0xxx." 6. The U.S. National Archives and Records Administration website contains historic information pertaining to the use of SNs and SSNs. It states SNs and SSNs are used at the National Personnel Records Center as part of the identifiers used to store and locate records. The Army discontinued using the SN as an identifier and began using the SSN as on 1 July 1969. 7. Army Regulation 635-5 (Separation Documents), in effect at the time, established the standardized policy for preparing and distributing the DD Form 214. It stated the DD Form 214 is a synopsis of the Soldier's most recent period of continuous active duty. 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 applicant's request to correct his DD Form 214 to show the SSN as shown on his social security card appears without merit. The documents in his military service records show he served in the Army using SSN "xxx-xx-8xxx." In addition, the use of the SN was discontinued prior to his induction into the Army of the United States; therefore, there is no basis to show his SN and SSN as "xxx-xx-0xxx." 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 his correct SSN 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 military personnel file (OMPF). This should serve to clarify any questions or confusion in regard to the different SSN recorded on his DD Form 214. 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) AR20140019890 3 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 1 ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20140019890 2 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 1