How to Find out if Someone Has Served in the U.S. Military
If someone claims to have served in the military and you doubt his story, the National Archives will help solve the mystery. U.S. military service is well-documented from beginning to end. Throughout a military career, a service member accumulates a personnel file. The personnel file holds copies of enlistment contracts, medical records, awards, decorations and evaluation reports. Once the service member is discharged, his record is immediately transferred to the National Archives. The National Archives stores personnel files indefinitely. Military service records are available to many civilians upon request.
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Things You'll Need
- Service member's name
- Service member's branch of service
- Form SF-180 from the National Archives
Instructions
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Ask the former service member to show you his Department of Defense Form 214. Commonly referred to as a DD-214, this is the official release document a service member receives from the military. Every service member, whether discharged honorably or dishonorably, is given five copies of his DD-214 upon release from service. The DD-214 outlines the start and end dates of a service member's military contracts, lists awards, achievements and disciplinary actions, and denotes the type of discharge the service member received.
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Visit the National Archives' website (see Resources) if the person cannot produce a DD-214. Click the tab that reads "Veterans' Service Records." If you are the next-of-kin of a deceased veteran, you may use the Archives' online eVetRecs tool. If you are unrelated to the person who claimed to serve in the military, you must submit a Standard Form SF-180 or visit the National Archives in St. Louis, Missouri.
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Click the button that reads, "Download form SF-180 to mail or fax your request." Click the same button on the next page. You will be redirected to a pdf version of the form, which you must print to request records if you are not next-of-kin to the service member. You cannot save data on the pdf, but you can fill it out online and print it.
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Fill in each blank in Section I of the SF-180. Furnish as much information as you have. At minimum, include the service member's full name and the year he claimed to terminate his military contract.
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Complete Section II. You must indicate which records you wish to obtain. The National Archives may be reluctant to give a former service member's personal information to a curious civilian. Check the box that applies to your purpose. According to the National Archives, stating your purpose may expedite their reply and help them decide to share the records with you.
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Fill in every applicable blank in Section III. Sign and date the form.
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Mail the SF-180 to the appropriate location as outlined on page 3. Different branches store records in different places. For example, to obtain records of someone who served in the Navy and was released after 1995, your request must be mailed to Navy Personnel Command. However, if you need the record of a former airman who left the Air Force between 1994 and 2004, you must mail the request to the National Personnel Records Center.
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Tips & Warnings
Send your request to the appropriate location for faster results.
If a person claims former military service and you do not believe him, but you are uncomfortable asking to see a copy of his DD-214 for any reason, do not ask.
References
Resources
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