Information in Official Military Personnel Records

The military personnel records are available online and there is a system through which people can request for information on official military personnel records. However, it is to be noted that the request system may only be accessed by people who are military veterans, or the next of kin of a former or deceased member of the military. Next of kin is a term applied to a surviving spouse who has not remarried, any parent, a son or daughter, or even a sister or brother of the military personnel.

In case, you do not fall into the category of either the military veteran or the next of kin, you may still gain access to the official military personnel records, but you are required to fill up the Standard Form 180 (SF 180).

Initiating a Request for Official Military Personnel Records

You have to log in to an authentic site where you can request information for the military personnel records. Just click on the “Request Military Records” option and start entering the details required. Feed in the information to the system and create a customized request form.

You will need to clarify on the nature of the request you want to make and the kind of documents you are requesting for. You can also expand your request if required. There is also the option to request for multiple items such as the in patient treatment records, out patient treatment records, mental health records and other records for an ailing military personnel. Choose the items from the menu that you want information on.

It is important to print the customized request form and have your signature as well as the date on it. This is necessary owing to the Privacy Act of 1974 (5 U.S.C. 552a), which requires all the requests regarding the official military personnel records to be made in writing.

Other Factors

If you are the next of kin of a deceased military veteran, you are required to provide the proof of death of the military veteran; the proof may be in the form of a copy of death certificate, a published obituary, and letter from funeral home. After you have made the request online, mail or fax your signature verification; if this is not received within 20 days, your request for the official military personnel records will be removed from the system.

It is to be noted that information is not released on the military personnel for unethical purposes. The kind of information that is released is always at par with the public’s right to obtain information from the Federal Records as slated in the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), as well as the veteran’s right to privacy as outlined by the Privacy Act. The information on official military personnel records that is provided to the general public depends on the authorization of the veteran.