Requesting your military service records can seem overwhelming, but breaking it into steps makes the process manageable. Here’s a straightforward guide to help you efficiently request your military service documentation.
Step 1: Begin Your Request Online
The first step is to start your request online. Doing so will give you access to necessary documents such as your DD-214, official military personnel files (including evaluations and feedback), and crucial medical and health records needed for filing claims. I recommend collecting all available documentation for a comprehensive record. Why not gather everything while you’re at it?
Go to this website:
https://www.archives.gov/veterans/military-service-records
Step 2: Make a New Request
Once on the site, you’ll need to choose between checking the status of an existing request or making a new one. As we are focusing on a new request, you’ll move forward by providing some basic information.
-whether you’re the veteran or next of kin
-whether you’re requesting about former or current military service
-what branch of service
-were you active or reserve
-officer or enlisted
Step 3: Specify the Purpose of Your Request
The next box is a little tricky.
“Which of these categories best describes why you’re requesting the records?”
The dropdown menu gives you a bunch of options.
If you click on benefits, then it gives you a box, which tells you, Hey, this is what we’re gonna include because you want your records for benefits.
If you click medical, then it’s gonna ask you if you want outpatient or inpatient treatment records.
If you say you decline to disclose, then it comes up with this warning that says, we ask for request category information to help us provide the best possible response. It will in no way be used to deny your request.
So pick one and I will show you how you make sure you get everything in the next step.
Step 4: Provide Personal Information
Now you’re going to fill in a whole bunch of information, like first and last name, service number, date you entered service, date you left service, etc.
And then it comes to what type of report of separation are you requesting.
So you’re going to ask for Undeleted, and then under comments, you’re going to say:
“I am requesting the complete service record including personnel and medical files.”
And then you’ll give your mailing address and who you are.
Additional Considerations
One thing that’s a little tricky is if you have gotten married or gotten divorced, or for any reason changed your name,
So in my case, I had to submit my marriage certificate and my social security card that showed my change of name.
Processing Time
Records requests, in my experience, take about three months to get in.
Would you like to start a claim for compensation or intent to file? There’s a video for that!
Need help signing in? We made a video for that!