National Personnel Records Center
(St. Louis, MO)

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ)

1. How can I get a copy of my DD Form 214, Report of Separation (or equivalent form)?

2. There is an ongoing "myth" that "10 million medical records" were found.  Are these duplicates of the records that were burned?

3. How can I get my medals or those of my family?

4. What form do I use to request information from military service records?

5. My great grandfather served in the Civil War (Revolutionary War, War of 1812, etc.) How do I obtain information concerning his military service?

6. How can I locate someone who is currently serving on active duty in the Armed Forces?

7. How can I get an address roster to get in touch with old service buddies?

8. How do I apply for my Cold War Recognition Certificate?

9. I've heard that NPRC will be scanning my military records and destroying the original documents, and that I can have the paper file if I request it. Is that true?

1.  How can I get a copy of my DD Form 214, Report of Separation (or equivalent form)?

The DD Form 214, Report of Separation, is filed in the official military personnel file.  Complete instructions for obtaining a copy of your DD 214 may be found under Official Military Personnel File including Active Duty Health Record, Services for veterans, next-of-kin, or the veteran's representative.

2.  There is an ongoing "myth" that "10 million medical records" were found.  Are these duplicates of the records that were burned?

No, they are not duplicate records.  This source of records contains approximately 7.8 million summaries for admissions to medical treatment facilities.  They contain limited medical information which may be sufficient to support certain claims for veterans' benefits.  Alternate sources used to reconstruct service and medical information lost in the 1973 fire at NPRC (MPR) contains a more detailed explanation of these records.

3.  How can I get my medals or those of my family?

NPRC (MPR) does not issue service medals; that is a function of each military service department.  Nevertheless, veterans may request issuance or replacement of their medals and awards.  Family members may only request medals and awards of living veterans by obtaining their signed authorizations.  For deceased veterans, requests will be accepted from next-of-kin (unremarried widow or widower, son or daughter, father or mother, brother or sister of the deceased veteran).  Military Awards and Decorations contains instructions and addresses for submitting requests.  A sample authorization is also included for review.

4.  What form do I use to request information from military service records?

We recommend that you use Standard Form (SF) 180, Request Pertaining to Military Records.  Instructions for obtaining a copy are available through Services Available to the Public and Government Agencies.  Instructions are also available for submitting a request in letter format, if desired.

5.  My great grandfather served in the Civil War (Revolutionary War, War of 1812, etc.)  How do I obtain information concerning his military service?

Generally, military service records prior to the 20th century are in the National Archives Building, Washington, D.C. More information is available under Military Service and Pension Records on NARA's research room page.  You may also wish to contact the National Archives Inquire mailbox.*

6.  How can I locate someone who is currently serving on active duty in the armed forces?

We receive records of former military members only after they have been separated (discharged, released, retired, etc.) from the military service.  Therefore, we are unable to provide locator service on members still serving on active duty.  Each military service has an office which deals with the world-wide location of active service personnel.  These offices are listed below:

NOTE:  The offices listed above MAY NOT be useful when trying to locate reserve or National Guard personnel.  There is NO locator service for discharged personnel for any service of which we are aware.

7.  How can I get an address roster to get in touch with old service buddies?

Our primary mission is to research requests from veterans or their authorized representatives who are seeking service information that will assist them in obtaining benefits, employment, reenlistment, hospitalization, loans, pensions, and burials.  NPRC (MPR) is neither staffed nor budgeted to respond to requests that require extensive research.  In addition, the Department of Defense Privacy Program, 32 CFR 310.41(d), considers the release of rosters (lists) or compilations of names and home addresses, or single address of current or former service members, to be a clearly unwarranted invasion of personal privacy, and is prohibited.  Also, addresses found in the records of discharged personnel may not remain valid for more than a few months.

We understand that some individuals have had success locating former members of the Armed Forces by placing advertisements in publications of various veterans organizations such as the American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars, which have special columns for reunion purposes.

Information available on our Other Helpful Sites page may also be of assistance.

8.  How do I apply for my Cold War Recognition Certificate?

This Center will, upon request, provide copies of DD  214's and other separation documents, as appropriate, to authorized requesters.  Complete instructions for obtaining a copy of your DD 214 may be found under Official Military Personnel File including Active Duty Health Record, Services for veterans, next-of-kin, or the veteran's representative.  These documents may be used to apply for the certificate.  However, this center does not have the application form available, nor will we be able to supply the Certificate itself.  For more information concerning the application process visit the Cold War Recognition Certificate webpage.

9.   I've heard that NPRC will be scanning my military records and destroying the original documents, and that I can have the paper file if I request it. Is that true?

No, NPRC does not intend to destroy paper Official Military Personnel Files (OMPFs).  We are expanding our use of information technology for request and record tracking, but the purpose of any electronic scanning will be to reduce the handling of fragile records during the reference process or to reduce the time necessary to locate an OMPF.  It is our responsibility to preserve and protect the Official Military Personnel Files, as they are permanently valuable records documenting the essential evidence of military service for the veterans of our nation. We will send only photocopies of documents when we respond to requests.

* Please see our Privacy Statement

"NARA ensures, for the Citizen and the Public Servant, for the President and the Congress and the Courts, ready access to essential evidence."

Military Personnel Records Main Page