How To Search Military Service Records
If you need to provide proof of military service, or trace your family tree in greater depth, military service records are a first port of call. Searching military records isn’t necessarily a cause for irritation, provided that you know how to access information efficiently. Information itself is occasionally released weeks, if not months, after your initial request, yet your own input needn’t take so long, and can be minimised if you approach the endeavour pragmatically.
A bonus to most searchers is that military service record requests are usually met gratis, though costs may be incurred under certain circumstances. This will usually be made known to you upon the reception of your request. Most requests will be responded to within ten days, though under some conditions responses may be delayed considerably.
The government archive website provides all the in-depth information that you’ll need, most of which can be summarised more concisely. Whilst the archives website wont allow you immediate access to service records, it does explain the processes that need to be followed. Before any action is taken, make sure that you obtain the consent of the veteran, or their next of kin. You will require their signature, and they will need to date your request.
For your request to be valid, an SF-180 form needs to be filled in. There are various ways to get hold of one of these, but the simplest option involves downloading it from the government archive website. This can then be printed and filled out in your own time. Other methods of request can be made, such as writing a letter to the National Personnel Record Center, though this isn’t commonly a primary recommendation.
When making a military search, you’ll need to provide a fairly broad range of information in order to narrow down and speed up the process. This includes; Social security number, dates of service, branch of service, veterans full name whilst serving, date and location of birth, and service number. If you have reason to suspect that the records you’re seeking were destroyed in the 1973 fire in Missouri, you should also try to provide details of location of discharge, place of entry into service and final unit of assignment. Without this additional data, your search is likely to be fruitless.
Besides this, there is other information that may be provided to hasten your search. If you can, provide the reason for your search and any deadlines that are related to your hunt for information. Deadlines should be specified in the purpose section of your SF-180 form. It helps to mention any particular forms or details that you require beyond a normal request. This doesn’t include reports of separation though. Any veteran or next of kin can access this form freely, so this shouldn’t add any complications to your search, or be any cause for concern.
If a request has already been made, and you wish to query its current status, the national archives’ website allows you to do so via e-mail. There is also a phone number provided if you find the e-mail system troublesome or slow.
Another issue to be aware of is that a small amount of military record information is freely available to the general public, free of charge. Make sure that you don’t count out the possibility of this, as this could provide the most direct response to your enquiry.
This information should point you in the right direction and assist you in making an effective search. With any luck, you should be able to avoid any stumbling blocks, and have the data that you need within reasonable time.
This entry was posted on Saturday, October 24th, 2009 at 1:25 pm and is filed under Military Service Records. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
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