Why are we still using SSNs for many forms?

2019-06-17T06:30:21-04:00

Many Army forms continue to require service members to use social security numbers despite the publication of DoD Instruction 1000.30, Reduction of Social Security Number (SSN) Use Within DoD (Aug 1, 2012)
http://www.esd.whs.mil/Portals/54/Documents/DD/issuances/dodi/100030p.pdf
Here's the short version (Credit Nagy):
4. POLICY. It is DoD policy that:
a. All DoD personnel shall reduce or eliminate the use of SSNs wherever possible.
b. Use of the SSN includes the SSN in any form, including, but not limited to, truncated, masked, partially masked, encrypted, or disguised SSNs.
c. SSNs shall not be used in spreadsheets, hard copy lists, electronic reports, or collected in surveys unless they meet one or more of the acceptable use criteria in Enclosure 2.
d. SSNs shall be used in approved forms and systems when they meet one or more of the acceptable use criteria in Enclosure 2.
e. Specific reviews of forms and systems shall be conducted to reduce SSN use. See Enclosures 3 and 4 for review procedures.

In fact, HRC requires SSNs to be written on forms to be IPERM'd: https://www.facebook.com/iPERMS/posts/ [login to see] 90421?__xts__%5B0%5D=68.ARBRCpiHk-qLi-ghdy7BzCGIQiCJWKq6JsB7ul-RUr0FcHtHWJzi4CYu6bgScCXBH3w90_xA_aBuEpgQPE9XRadKq_jjCWb3A-JMlS1xjoTZ9KzjvUGl6R9svfeNPeOTV_A0ASXTXSoe6v56AWlq5ENSrUtJ7VwqBWUp4wNY5Pt-uMV9MUMpDVJPtlnm9sVdbkmNtiO378W6Z8Qx28fEuN_Mql3_Jne3JXcstyQcxLq6UdWk005-JsExlmiu4Qp6eme3LPmLYx3c714OvlE8ZBuxp-PwUR2vYiF-f-PFbFIiTrqknmqT3p-i3i9DN8g3_e3FlTLfg3NF1ldW8aAg0abTPKF_uMst_M-SyywayKO7GtjfU3TrTgIja5HKbNK1fBlRc2xgBjat3_WOsUjwPufFdQJcoxcFwvL1pWV5hAzP1Xwe_qb9w9MRBnUgGhYr5Lr45v-bw58nhktCojcDRe_BFXogiO9XnsmBls9UE-JuFz3e9CM&__tn__=-R

100030p.pdf

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Response by MSgt Neil Greenfield made Jun 17 at 2019 7:52 AM

2019-06-17T07:52:30-04:00

Probably because DOD hasn’t come up with an alternative and there isn’t any incentive (pain?) for the higher ups to do so.

It’s funny, though. I believe I have every single order my name is on from when I enlisted in the Army’s DEP in 1978 to when I retired in 2000. Except for the last few years of service, where it ws blacked out, my SSN, as well as a lot of other people’s SSN for group orders, it’s plainly visible.

At the time from inception, no one looked at the SSN as a security and privacy issue. It was only an identification nunber.

Healthcare providers still ask you for it, which of course I’ve stopped doing.

Response by CSM Carl Cunningham made Jun 17 at 2019 8:20 AM

2019-06-17T08:20:06-04:00

Since we now have our DoD Identification Number (basically our "serial number" as mentioned in the Code of Conduct), that can replace our SSN in most cases. I think medical is the only place where we still have to use our SSN.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Jun 17 at 2019 1:15 PM

2019-06-17T13:15:48-04:00

I am making a strong assumption one of the problems is the diversity of networks with your personal information on it. It will entail migrating databases from the disparate systems.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 18 at 2019 2:00 PM

2019-06-18T14:00:30-04:00

A lot of the forms are being reviewed and slowly switched. However, anything tied to pay requires a SSN because of tax reporting. Plus, large systems like iperms currently use SSNs to track Soldiers and will take years to switch over without risking a huge loss of data.

Response by SFC Melvin Brandenburg made Jun 27 at 2019 10:17 PM

2019-06-27T22:17:10-04:00

If not the SSN then another number that is a personal identifier. Until we come up with encrypted keys for each individual, our personal data is not safe. I see this as treading water in a river. We should keep the SSN IMHO.

Response by CSM Charles Hayden made Jun 27 at 2019 11:49 PM

2019-06-27T23:49:01-04:00

SFC(P) Private RallyPoint Member WHAT!? The Army does not issue every Soldier an Army Serial Number and stamp it on your dog tags so you can always recall it?

Response by SGT Steve McFarland made Jul 13 at 2019 10:20 AM

2019-07-13T10:20:58-04:00

Hell will freeze-over before they quit using SSN's. Our SSN is our ONLY universal-identification-number.