IN THE CASE OF: BOARD DATE: 1 October 2015 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20150003084 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 by amending his social security number (SSN). 2. The applicant states, in effect, the SSN on his DD Form 214, for the period ending 26 January 1968, is incorrect. The last four numbers listed in item 3 (SSN) should be "1090," not "1096." 3. The applicant provides: * copy of his DD Form 214 (certified, by a county clerk in the State of Michigan, as being a true copy of one being maintained by that office) * copy of his 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's complete military records are not available for review. He provides a DD Form 214, however, which is sufficient to consider his case. 3. The applicant's DD Form 214 shows he was inducted in the Army of the United States on 15 February 1966. 4. His DD Form 214 reflects he was honorably released from active duty on 26 January 1968. The SSN listed ends with a last four of "1096." 5. He provides a copy of his social security card which shows the last four numbers are "1090." 6. According to the National Archives, the Army changed from using a military service number (MSN) to the SSN on 1 July 1969. (http://www.archives.gov/st-louis/military-personnel/social-security-numbers.html) DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: Although the applicant's records are not available, it is likely his SSN was mistakenly shown as ending in "1096" instead of "1090." * the numeral "6" can appear similar to the "0" * the similarity in appearance of both numbers increases the likelihood the numbers were interchanged or replaced in error * the fact that the MSN, not SSN, was the primary method for identifying Soldiers could cause less attention to be given to accurately recording the SSN and, thus, increase the possibility it might not be accurately shown BOARD VOTE: ___x____ ___x____ ___x____ GRANT FULL RELIEF ________ ________ ________ GRANT PARTIAL RELIEF ________ ________ ________ GRANT FORMAL HEARING ________ ________ ________ DENY APPLICATION BOARD DETERMINATION/RECOMMENDATION: The Board determined that the evidence presented was sufficient to warrant a recommendation for relief. As a result, the Board recommends that all Department of the Army records of the individual concerned be corrected by amending his DD Form 214 for the period ending 26 January 1968 by replacing the entry in item 3 with the SSN as shown on his social security card. _______ _ _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) AR20150003084 3 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 1 ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20150003084 3 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 1