How to Locate Retired Army Personnel

Whether you want to find a long-lost family member, someone you served with or a friend, trying to located a retired Army member can seem like a daunting task. Since many military veterans move to a different state or country after they complete their service, it can be difficult to even know where to begin searching. Fortunately, there are several methods you can use to located retired Army personnel.

Instructions

1. Send a written request, containing the full name of the retired Army soldier you're looking for and where she was stationed, to the Army locator address:

   Commander

   U.S. Army Enlisted Records & Evaluation Center

   ATTN: Locator

   8899 East 56th Street

   Fort Benjamin Harrison, IN 46249

   There is no guarantee you will get a response, as requests are handled on a case-by-case basis. The Army has closed its online locator service to the public, and it is now only available to active duty and retired Army members and their dependents.

2. Use a private Army personnel or military database such as VetFriends. These databases are free and usually accurate because the information is submitted by military members themselves. However, there is no guarantee you'll be able to find the person you're looking for.

3. Pay for a search through an information database such as Intelius. The cost for the search will range from a few dollars to more than $20 and will depend on exactly how much information you're trying to find. These searches are not always accurate and can contain out-of-date information.

4. Search through social networks such as LinkedIn and Facebook to find retired Army members. Many former military personnel have social networking accounts, and they often join groups on such websites that are especially for military veterans.

References

• United States Department of Defense: Requests For Military Mailing Addresses

Resources

• VetFriends