How to Order Military Records

Posted: Wed Mar 08, 2006 9:31 pm

There are millions of people on the internet that once were in the military. If you don't know how to order your military records follow these simple instructions:

1. If you are next of kin of a deceased veteran you can goto NARA's website to order it. (http://www.archives.gov/veterans/evetrecs/index.html)
2. All others must use this form to get military records. It must be signed and mailed out.
3. Users must mail the form into:
National Personnel Records Center
Military Personnel Records
9700 Page Avenue
St. Louis, MO 63132-5100

Posted: Mon May 01, 2006 1:29 pm

When checking for Army records please keep in mind 80 percent of the records for Army personal discharge between November 1912 and January 1960 were destroyed in a fire at the NPRC in St. Louis in 1973.
I have been attempting to reconstruct an Army service record of a deceased WWII veteran who passed away in the mid 70’s and whose files were destroyed in this fire. I have only name, DOB, branch of service and a few faded black and white photographs taken in the early 40’s. Without a military service number, dates of service, place of entry and discharge, unit assignments or rank this task has become somewhat of a challenge and common military record reconstruction proved useless. Unable to locate living relatives from this era or others with information my next step will be to try to establish places of residence after the war years and hopefully a recorded discharge. If this proves negative I think I exhausted all possible leads and it would be time for a crystal ball. Any suggestions appreciated.
Thanks
Watchman

Posted: Mon May 08, 2006 12:17 pm

Additional comments regarding the National Archives. http://www.archives.gov/

The National Archives web site has a lot of information, declassified documents, photos etc however it takes a little time to work your way through it. I did not find it as user-friendly as most sites but if you have time it is interesting and a sound starting point for genealogists and family historians. In my situation the first step in a background check of an evasive “questionable war hero”.

It’s common for some people to completely fabricate or enhance military service or veteran status and not everyone from the WWII is an Audie Murphy or a Rambo from the Vietnam War. Uncovering wantabe’s and phonies becomes focal when these imposters use war hero status for personal or financial gain and fraud.

Using The National Archives web site to research information I corroborated a name, branch of service, serial number and grade. These details will be useful to substantiate or contradict other information as it develops. I’m not into genealogy or history itself but on occasion I find it’s necessary to authenticate the past to validate present-day claims.

With exception of the Army records destroyed in the 1973 NPRC fire in St Louis, military service, medals, POW and veteran status can be verified. Refer to post by Holmes dated March 8, 2006 in “How to order Military Records” forum

http://www.archives.gov/st-louis/military-personnel/standard-form-180.html

I hope this site is helpful or at least interesting surfing to other members. If any other member has an experience researching a military background and doesn’t mind sharing it with forum members I would be interested in any unique investigative step taken and the results.

In another matter I posted on May 1, I’m still trying to reconstruct an Army record lost in the NPRC fire. In this case I don’t have a service number, dates of service, place of entry and discharge, unit assignments or rank. If anyone can suggest a workaround I would appreciated it.

For those who are not aware of it, there’s a Cold War Certificate available
To all members of the armed forces and federal government and civilian
personnel who faithfully served the United States during the Cold
War era, Sept. 2, 1945 to Dec. 26, 1991.

https://www.hrc.army.mil/site/active/tagd/coldwar/preview.htm

The application contains full name, address, social security number or military ID number or Foreign Service number and email address. Copies of the applications could prove to be a good source of information. For additional information contact

U.S. Army Human Resources Command
Cold War Recognition Program, Hoffman II, Room 3N45
ATTN: AHRC-CWRS
200 Stovall Street
Alexandria, VA 22332-0473
https://www.hrc.army.mil/site/active/tagd/coldwar/default.htm

Phone Line: (703) 325-5864
Fax: 1-800-723-9262
Email: cwrs1@hoffman.army.mil

Remember if you have a gut feeling something wrong, it most likely is….

Thanks.

Watchman

Posted: Tue May 09, 2006 3:49 am

Wow Watchman - Thanks for the sources and content!

We will add it to the database. I visited the websites and found it extremely useful.

Thanks again - I will make this post sticky and also add a link from our home page because it is very valuable.

Posted: Wed Jun 07, 2006 3:29 am

Getting Military Records

http://members.aol.com/forvets/htomr.htm

Another resource for obtaining military records and related matters.
Below is copy of site index:

INDEX

• How to Request Personnel Records
• How to Request Medical Records
• How to Get Form SF-180
• Where to obtain Replacement Recognitions, Medals, Badges
• How to Get Acknowledged for a Medal you feel you deserve
• How to Correct an Error on the DD-214
• How to Request a different Discharge status
• Looking for Active and Former military personnel

Thanks

Watchman

Posted: Sat Nov 11, 2006 9:08 pm

in reading your advice I am trying to obtain the discharge army papers for my father who was born in 1929 and I believe he was in the army around the early 50's but the only information I have is that he was "discharged" after serving a sentence in the Lompoc Army Unit where he finished High School around 1957 ...would sending the form SF-180 the only way of obtaining any records???? I really would appreciate someone's advise regarding this matter as I need this information .....

Posted: Sat Jun 02, 2007 1:48 pm

i was in the nal ark came across this link i do not think this has been posted before
http://www.archives.gov/veterans/military-service-records/get-service-records.html

Posted: Sun Jun 03, 2007 1:38 pm

Gary just checked out the site and found it easy to use and convenient.
Thanks
watchman

Posted: Sat Oct 27, 2007 7:07 am

How do I find Out my Voluntary status to my country-BobbieO555

Posted: Sun Oct 28, 2007 1:28 am

U.S. Selective Service System
Selected by librarians Score: 284
The Selective Service System web site offers:
---Information on who must register with the Selective Service System
---Online registration
---Statistics on numbers of draft inductees during major 20th century conflicts
---Results of Vietnam era draft lotteries
---Information on the availablity of Selective Service registration records
---Description of the U.S. Selective Service System, Selective Service press releases and speeches, recent Selective Service System annual report

http://www.sss.gov/regist.htm

THIS (AS MENTIONED BEFORE) IS A GREAT WAY OF GETTING A LEAD ON AN ADULT MALE BETWEEN 18-50

Posted: Wed Oct 31, 2007 8:27 pm

Quote:

How do I find Out my Voluntary status to my country

BobbieO555 welcome to Detective forums.

This thread explains how “How to order Military Records”
If you are looking for records or information other than military you’re off topic and need to start a new thread. It will be helpful if you clarify your question.
I look forward to reading your response.

watchman

Posted: Tue Feb 26, 2008 4:50 am

For records NOT found at NPRC St. Louis

Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) records. For further information call the VA Toll Free number 1-800-827-1000.

Pay records. If available at all, these would be at the various Department of Defense Finance Centers.

Records of veterans who have been separated from active service, but have reserve status, either active or inactive. Contact the Reserve Component of the appropriate branch of service.

Records of veterans who have been discharged, retired, or who died in service since 1995 (Navy), 1999 (Marine Corps), 2003 (Army), or 2005 (Air Force). Contact the Personnel Center or Headquarters of the appropriate branch of service.

Records of members currently in the National Guard. Contact the Adjutant General's office of the appropriate state. The National Guard Bureau website contains additional information.

Records of former National Guard members who were not called into active federal service. Contact the Adjutant General of the state in which the member served.

Selective Service Records.

Most active duty health records have not been retired to NPRC (MPR) since the dates in the chart below. Those records are managed by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Records Management Center, 4360 Goodfellow Blvd. Bldg. 104, St. Louis, Mo. 63120-8950. Call the VA toll free number at 1-800-827-1000 to identify the current location of specific health records and to find out how to obtain releasable documents or information.
Branch Status Health Record To VA
Army Discharged, retired, or separated from any component October 16, 1992
Air Force Discharged, retired, or separated from Active Duty Discharged or retired from Reserves or National Guard May 1, 1994
June 1, 1994
Navy Discharged, retired, or separated from any component January 31, 1994
Marine Corps Discharged, retired, or separated from any component May 1, 1994
Coast Guard Discharged, retired, or separated from Active Duty - Reservists with 90 days active duty for training April 1, 1998

Posted: Tue Feb 26, 2008 5:02 am

Press Release
October 22, 2007
National Personnel Records Center Opens more than Six Million New Military Personnel Files (NPRC St. Louis, MO)

Official Military Personnel Files (OMPFs) of Army, Army Air Corps, Army Air Forces, Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard military personnel who served and were discharged, retired or died while in the service, prior to 1946. Collectively, these files comprise more than six million records.

http://www.archives.gov/press/press-releases/2008/nr08-14.html

Posted: Tue Feb 26, 2008 4:01 pm

woopycat3

Thanks for the updates.

Posted: Tue Feb 26, 2008 4:51 pm

Is there any benefit to (county) record a military discharge?