IN THE CASE OF:	  

		BOARD DATE:	  25 June 2015

		DOCKET NUMBER:  AR20140019824 


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 (Report of Separation from the Armed Forces of the United States) to show his service number as "ERXX-XXX-4XX" instead of "RAXX-XXX-7XX."

2.  The applicant states, in effect, the service number shown on his DD Form 214 has one wrong digit when compared to the service number shown on his Armed Forces identification (ID) card.  His DD Form 214 incorrectly shows his service number as "RAXX-XXX-7XX" and his ID card correctly shows his service number as "ERXX-XXX-4XX."  

3.  The applicant provided copies of his DD Form 214 and ID 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 to the Board for review.  A fire destroyed approximately 18 million service members' records at the National Personnel Records Center in 1973.  It is believed the applicant's records were lost or destroyed in that fire.  Therefore, this case will be considered using documents provided by the applicant.

3.  The applicant provided a copy of his DD Form 214 that shows he enlisted in the Regular Army and entered active duty on 8 November 1950, and he was honorably released from active duty on 7 November 1952 and transferred to the Enlisted Reserve component the next day.  His service number is shown on this form as "RAXX-XXX-7XX."

4.  The applicant provided a copy of his ID card, issued on 7 November 1952.  The service number shown on this ID card begins with the prefix "ER," which indicates it was issued after his release from active duty and was applicable to his service in the Enlisted Reserve component.  The service number shown on his ID card differs from the service number shown on his DD Form 214; each number contains a different prefix but the numerical portion of the number only differs by a single digit.

5.  Army Regulation 600-2 (Personnel – General – Name, Service Number, and Birth Data), in effect at the time, established the method of recording names and service numbers on the DD Form 214.  Appendix II (Prefixes), Item 4 (Enlisted Personnel) addressed service number prefixes.  This appendix shows:

   a.  The service number prefix "RA" applied to Regular Army enlisted men.

   b.  The service number prefix "ER" applied to prior service members of the Army Reserve, including those transferred from the Army of the United States, Regular Army, or National Guard of the United States and those (age 26 years or over) who enlisted for 3 years with no service obligations under the Universal Military Training and Service Act. 
   
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS:

1.  The applicant's request for correction of his DD Form 214 to show his service number as "ERXX-XXX-4XX" instead of "RAXX-XXX-7XX" was carefully considered.  

2.  Evidence shows he served in the Regular Army from 8 November 1950 through 7 November 1952.  The service number shown on his DD Form 214 correctly begins with the "RA" prefix. 
3.  He provided a copy of his ID card, issued on 7 November 1952.  The service number shown on this ID card begins with the prefix "ER," which indicates it was issued after his release from active duty and was applicable to his service in the Enlisted Reserve component.  The service number shown on his ID card differs from the service number shown on his DD Form 214; each number contains a different prefix but the numerical portion of the number only differs by a single digit.

4.  Given the lack of records or other verifiable evidence in this case, there is no way to determine if the numeric portion of his service number is correctly listed on either his DD Form 214 or his ID card.  Simply put, there is no way to tell, at this time, if either number is correct.

5.  While it is understandable that he now desires to record a different service number on his DD Form 214, there is insufficient evidence and the absence of a sufficiently compelling reason for compromising the integrity of the Army's records at this late date.  

6.  In view of the foregoing, there is no basis to grant the requested relief.

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)                                         AR20130001253



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ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont)                                         AR20140019824



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