BOARD DATE: 25 August 2015
DOCKET NUMBER: AR20150001010
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 that his DD Form 214 (Report of Separation from Active Duty) be corrected to show his correct birth month.
2. The applicant states that his DD Form 214 incorrectly shows his birth month as August instead of July.
3. The applicant provides copies of his birth certificate and DD Form 214.
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 on 8 January 1973 for a period of 3 years and assignment to Fort Hood, Texas. At the time of his enlistment he indicated in his own handwriting that his month of birth was August.
3. He completed his training and was transferred to Fort Hood for his first and only assignment. He served under the month of birth of August during his entire period of service and was honorably released from active duty (REFRAD) on 2 March 1976. His DD Form 214 issued at the time of his REFRAD reflects a month of birth of August as do all of the documents contained in his records.
4. The applicant now provides a copy of his birth certificate showing his month of birth as July.
5. 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 he provided a month of birth of August and it is reflected throughout his records and on his DD Form 214. He has not offered any explanation as to why he served under that month of birth. 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 month of birth 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 month of birth recorded in his military record and to satisfy his desire to have his month of birth shown on his birth certificate documented in his official 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) AR20150001010
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