Obtaining your father’s military records can help shed light on an unknown part of your father’s life. Many veteran’s do not like talking about their military service because of the trauma they experienced. Finding your father’s military records can help you understand a part of your father’s life that he may have not shared with you. It is also a great way to honor his memory and his service to his country. These records are free for the next of kin of the veteran. Military service records are housed at the National Personnel Records Center. The center receives almost 5,000 requests a day but they often respond with 10 days of receiving the request.
Step 1. Go to the National Archives website. You may only obtain records of deceased military veterans and they can only be released to the veteran’s next of kin. The military defines next of kin as a surviving spouse that has not remarried, mother, father, son, daughter, brother or sister.
Step 2. Locate the link at the bottom left hand corner of the page that says “Request Service Records” and click on it. Then click on the link that says “Download Form SF-180 to Mail or fax Your Request.” Download this form and print it out.
Step 3. Fill out the form completely. The information you will need includes your father’s complete name, his social security number, branch of service, service number, dates of service as well as his date and place of birth. You can still complete the form even if you do not know his service number as long as you include his date and place of birth.
Step 4. If there is a chance that your father’s records were burned in the 1973 building fire that destroyed millions of personnel records, than include your father’s place of discharge, last unit assignment and place of entry into the service. If you do not know whether his records may have been destroyed by this fire then include the information anyway, just in case.
Step 5. Sign your name and date the forms. You must include proof of your father’s death with the request forms. This can include a copy of his death certificate, obituary or even a letter from the funeral home that handled his funeral. Records requested for the application of veteran’s benefits get higher priority, so include this information along with the specific date the records are needed by if that is the reason for the request.
Step 6. Mail the form and documents to:
NPRC Mailing Address:
National Personnel Records Center
Military Personnel Records
9700 Page Avenue
St. Louis, MO 63132-5100
Or fax the form and documents to: 314-801-9195
Step 7. If you have not received a response within 10 days after the National Archives Center receives the letter, check on that status of your request by emailing the NPRC at: [email protected]. Include you and your father’s name, your mailing address, your phone number, your father’s branch of service and the request number, if you have one, in your email. You can also call the center directly on weekdays between 7am CST and 5pm at 314-801-0800.
Alternative Methods.
Step 1. If you are unable to print or download the SF-180 form, write a letter that includes all of the information and documents required for the form. Mail the letter and these supporting documents to the National Personnel Records Center.
Step 2. Take a trip to the National Personnel Records Center in St. Louis, Missouri. It is best to schedule an appointment before you go so the staff can be prepared for your visit and have the information you are looking for set aside for you.
Step 3. Hire a genealogists or independent researcher. These professionals have more experience in the field and may have better access to other military records.
Step 4. Email, write or call your state or county veterans agency. State or county governments occasionally provide next of kin with copies of veteran’s records.
Sources:
Start Your Military Service Record Request (DD Form 214 & SF-180), National Archive
Kory L. Meyerink, Military Records , Pro Genealogists
