Veterans'& Retirees Records: Do you know how to obtain your military
personnel or service records? Should you be currently on active duty, you
won't have too much trouble, but it is more difficult to obtain records for
the military veteran, retiree, or the next of kin. Most personnel or
service records (201 files) of Veterans are stored at National Personnel
Records Center (NPRC), in St Louis, Missouri In some cases, these records
date back to 1886. Veterans or the next of kin of a deceased veteran can
get access to these records in three ways
1. Write directly to the NPRC requesting copies of a particular document
or documents;
2. Personally visit the NPRC and review the entire file;
3. Get a third party to review/copy the records at NPRC.
Use Request Pertaining to Military Records Standard Form 180 (Rev-4/96)
which can be downloaded at www.nara.gov/regional/mprsf180.html or
http://web1.whs.osd.mil/forms/SF0180.pdf . Never request records under the
Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) under which only limited information can
be provided. The entire record can be acquired or reviewed if the Veteran
or next of kin of deceased Veteran requests it. Under the Privacy Act A
written request is the least expensive choice as there is usually no fee.
The mailing address is: NATIONAL PERSONNEL RECORD CENTER, ATTN: (insert
branch of service) 9700 Page Boulevard St Louis, MO 63132-5100. Should you
decide to write, you must ask for specific information or documentation but
it is unlikely that you will get a copy of the entire file because of the
enormous workload and limited number of clerks at the NPRC. The center
receives more than 200,000 requests each month, therefore, do not expect a
quick reply. If copies of separation or discharge papers are needed
quickly, a visit to NPRC can be faster, providing those requesting data
arrives before 1:00 PM on normal work days. There is no fee for this
service, but family members will need a signed authorization from the
Veteran, or proof that the Veteran is deceased. Photo ID is also required,
such as a driver's license.
To view the entire file, it is necessary that the Veteran or next of
kin make an appointment. For appointments call: AIR FORCE (314) 538-4218;
NAVY/ MARINE CORPS/COAST GUARD (314) 538-4200; ARMY RETIRED (314) 538-4010
The last option is to get a third party to obtain the file and copy
all of part of it. The U.S. Locator Service in St Louis is a private firm
that specializes in military records searches. The NPRC has approved this
firm to act as an agent for Veterans or their next of kin. With signed
authorization, the firm will obtain the complete file and make copies of
either discharges or an entire personnel and medical file. These copies
will be sent directly to the client. The fee for discharge copies is $60;
and for copies of an entire file is $110. Price is subject to change. The
turnaround time is 10-21 days. For more formation and/or an authorization
form, send your request to: U.S LOCATOR SERVICE, Attn: DICK BIELEN, P0. Box
2577, St Louis, MO 63114-2577, or call (314) 423-0860. [Source: Atomic Vet
News 19 FEB 02]