How can I get name corrected so my DEERS information can display correctly?

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 19 Aug 2021 09:35:33 -0400

I apologize in advance for the long post. I have 27 characters in my full name and it keeps getting cut off with 24 characters. My SRB and emilpo displays my name correctly but my DEERS information displays it wrong. At one point DEERS had my name correct but now it keeps cutting my first name off. This is making the information in the rest of my military profiles to display my name incorrectly. I have tried submitting a name correction 4187 but had no luck. I have tried contacting the DEERS office but they keep saying that my S1 has to fix this problem since they are the ones that deal with personal information. S1 says that since my name is correct in my SRB and eMilpo that there is nothing they can do. The DEERS office keeps telling me that S1 is reporting my name incorrectly so thats why my name in DEERS is reverting back to the cut off name. S1 says that the maximum characters for a name is 24 but that doesn’t make sense since it was displaying correctly before. I have contacted HRC help desk and the DMDC DEERS help desk and they also say that S1 is the one that corrects this issue. I keep getting sent back and forth between S1 and the DEERS office and im not sure if I should just contact IG.

Response by SSgt Christophe Murphy made Aug 19 at 2021 10:17 AM

SSgt Christophe Murphy — Thu, 19 Aug 2021 10:17:18 -0400

Certain systems only allow 10 characters for the first name. I myself have had issues my whole life with the R in Christopher being cut off because of the limitations of the database. As a dependent, Active Duty Marine and retiree I have been haunted by the missing R on my ID card. If you aren't being reflected correctly in the system go to S1 but the end of your name being cutoff because of the system isn't a clerical error.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 19 at 2021 10:37 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 19 Aug 2021 10:37:00 -0400

As SSgt Christophe Murphy pointed out, certain systems only allow so many characters to be displayed.

The way these databases work is that they feed one another. If one database holds 27 characters, and it feeds another system that only holds 24, those characters are lost. These databases continuously update each other in a loop called a cap cycle. Once the the fifth or so database feeds back to the first database, those characters are lost for good

Response by SFC Edmund Garrard made Aug 31 at 2021 6:22 PM

SFC Edmund Garrard — Tue, 31 Aug 2021 18:22:49 -0400

I thank it would be easier just to change your first name