IN THE CASE OF:
BOARD DATE: 23 April 2015
DOCKET NUMBER: AR20150004851
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) to reflect his name as R___ A___ M____.
2. The applicant states he has discovered and reunited with his biological parent and he was authorized a name change. He is requesting a name change to verify his identity for current and future military and veteran benefits.
3. The applicant provides his DD Form 214 and a court order.
CONSIDERATION OF EVIDENCE:
1. After having prior enlisted service in the U.S. Army Reserve, the applicant enlisted in the Regular Army on 3 January 1989. The DD Form 4/1 (Enlistment/
Reenlistment Document Armed Forces of the United States) completed at that time shows in Item 1 (Name (Last, First, Middle)) the entry "T____, R____ A____."
2. On 31 October 2012, he was retired from active duty. The DD Form 214 issued at that time shows in Item 1 (Name (Last, First, Middle)) of his DD Form 214 the entry "T____, R____ A____."
3. His records are void of documentation showing he served in the Army under any name other than the name listed on his DD Form 214.
4. A Final Order Changing the Name of an Adult, dated 25 February 2015, from the District Court of Bexar County, TX changed his name to "R____ A____M____."
5. A review of his electronic record maintained by U.S. Army Human Resources Command shows his new name has been entered in his record.
6. Army Regulation 635-5 (Separation Documents) establishes the standardized policy for preparing and distributing the DD Form 214. The regulation directs that the purpose of the separation document is to provide the individual with documentary evidence of his or her military service. It is important that information entered on the form should be complete and accurate. This regulation has historically stated that item 1 (Name) of the DD Form 214 will contain the name taken from the Soldier's personnel record.
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS:
1. The applicant's military service records show he enlisted, served, and was discharged under the name that is listed on his DD Form 214. He provides a District Court of Bexar County, TX final order for a change of name showing a judge granted his petition to change his name on 25 February 2015, almost 3 years after he was retired from active duty.
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 new name on his
DD Form 214, there is not a sufficiently compelling reason for compromising the integrity of the Armys records at this late date.
3. He is advised that a copy of this decisional document will be filed in his OMPF. This should serve to clarify any questions or confusion in regard to the difference in the name recorded on his DD Form 214 and the name he now uses.
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) AR20150004851
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ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20150004851
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