How do I Retrieve Military Training Records As a Civilian?

Civilian request for military training records.

Upon discharge from the U.S. military, a service member's personnel files are kept by The National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) in St. Louis, Missouri. According to NARA, "we are the official repository for records of military personnel who have been discharged from the U.S. Air Force, Army, Marine Corps, Navy and Coast Guard. A civilian has the option of requesting his military training records from NARA via online or by mailing a request to NARA.

Instructions

1. Visit the eVetRecs online system to submit a request for military training records (see Resources). You must meet certain criteria in order to use eVetRecs. According to the National Archives, "a user of eVetRecs must be either a military veteran or the next of kin of a deceased, former member of the military." According to The National Archives, "the next of kin can be any of the following: surviving spouse that has not remarried, father, mother, son, daughter, sister, or brother."

2. Click on Request Military Records once on the eVetRecs webpage.

3. Enter all required information and details to complete the eVetRecs request. Overall, the request is a four-step process. At Step 2, drop-down menus will appear for you to make the selection for the type of records in regard to the request. If the type of records the request pertains to is not available, fill out the comments section in Step 3 as specifically as possible to annotate exactly which records are needed.

4. Print the signature verification page once you have completed all four steps of the eVetRecs online request. Sign and date the signature verification form. If you do not have a printer available, information will be provided for you to complete the signature verification. According to the National Archives, "because the Privacy Act of 1974 (5 U.S.C. 552a) requires that all requests for records and information be submitted in writing. Each request must be signed and dated by the veteran or next of kin. If you are the next of kin of a deceased veteran, you must provide proof of death of the veteran such as a copy of death certificate, letter from funeral home, or published obituary."

5. Mail or fax the signature verification form to:

   National Personnel Records Center

   Military Personnel Records

   9700 Page Avenue

   St. Louis, MO 63132-5100

   Fax: [phone] (see reference 4)

6. Complete a Form SF-180 with all necessary information in requesting military training records if you cannot or do not wish to use eVetRecs. A Form SF-180 can be downloaded and printed from The National Archives website (see Resources), or you can generally get a Form SF-180 from federal information centers, any local Veterans Administration offices or veterans service organizations. You may also write directly to the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) to request a Form SF-180.

   National Personnel Records Center

   9700 Page Avenue

   St. Louis, MO 63132

7. Write a written request directed to the NPRC if using eVetRecs or completing a Form SF-180 is not an option. According to the National Archives, "requests must contain enough information to identify the record among the more than 70 million on file at NPRC." The following list is stated directly from the National Archives which should be included as part of any written request for military training records:

   1.) The veteran's complete name used while in service

   2.) Service number or Social Security number

   3.) Branch of service

   4.) Dates of service

   5.) Date and place of birth may also be helpful, especially if the service number is not known

   6.) If the request pertains to a record that may have been involved in the 1973 fire, also include place of discharge, last unit of assignment and place of entry into service if known.

   While not specifically required, explaining the purpose or reason for the request and any deadline which you might need the training records will help the process. Once completed, mail the written request to the NPRC. (see reference 5)

Tips & Warnings

• According to the National Archives, "military personnel and health record information is usually free for veterans, next of kin, and authorized representatives. If your request involves a service fee, you will be notified as soon as possible."

References

• The National Archives: Military Service Records and Official Military Personnel Files (OMPFs, DD Form 214)
• The National Archives: Service Records or Prove Military Service
• The National Archives: eVetRecs-Request Copies of Military Personnel Records
• The National Archives: How to Request Military Service Records or Prove Military Service
• The National Archives: Military Record Requests Standard Form SF-180

Resources

• eVetRecs-Request Copies of Military Personnel Records
• The National Archives: Military Record Requests Standard Form SF-180