National Archives

[Ramie]

Just received the latest news letter via email from the VA and there was an article about accessing your military records from the National Archives website so I decided to check it out.  I should have known better.  It's taken me 15 minutes for the request page to finish loading enough so I could click the first button.  I've answered the two questions on the first page and clicked the continue button.  It's been 20 minutes and every few seconds I get four popup messages that it's waiting for 4 different modules to load.

I'm about ready to quit.  Why is it the Government seems to be years behind when it comes to technology then the rest of the world.  I'd appreciate hearing if someone has had a better experience.

[Jess from VA]

You can write the NPRC (National Personnel Records Center) in St Louis MO and ask for copies of your records.  It may take awhile (months), but no sitting at your computer.

https://www.archives.gov/personnel-records-center

Federal law [5 USC 552a(b)] requires that all requests for records and information be submitted in writing.  Each request must be signed (in cursive) and dated (within the last year).

The information needed to locate military service records includes the veteran's complete name as used in service; service number; Social Security Number (if applicable); branch of service; dates of service; date and place of birth.

Mail a letter or Standard Form (SF) 180, Request About Military Records to:

National Personnel Records Center
1 Archives Drive
St. Louis, MO 63138

Fax a letter or Standard Form 180 to 314-801-9195.

PDF for SF 180  https://www.archives.gov/files/standard-form-180.pdf

On July 12, 1973, a disastrous fire at the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) destroyed approximately 16-18 million Official Military Personnel Files (OMPF). The records affected:
Branch    Personnel and Period Affected    Estimated Loss
Army    Personnel discharged November 1, 1912 to January 1, 1960    80%
Air Force    Personnel discharged September 25, 1947 to January 1, 1964
(with names alphabetically after Hubbard, James E.)    75%

I'm not sure what records you are wanting, and I'm not sure what records they send on a standard request. 

Many veterans want Service Medical Records for use in filing claims for service connected disability (disability incurred or aggravated during active military service) (which can be both money and VA medical treatment for the disability) (I believe once you are rated 50% disabled due to service, then you qualify for VA treatment for all disability, service connected or not).

The entire VA health care system has been changed completely since I retired from USDVA.

Having heard about all the loss of records and trouble finding them later, in the week of my separation, I went to the hospital and checked out my medical file saying I had a Dr's appointment (I didn't).  I took my records to my office and copied the file (it wasn't large).  I did the same thing for my personnel jacket.  I have no service connected disability, and never filed for any.   

I would request all service medical records and all service personnel records.  Much of personnel records are included on the DD Form 214, but not all.