How to Find Out If Someone Has Served in the U.S. Military
- Request Payment Records The easiest way for an applicant to prove recent or current military service is to provide a Leave and Earnings Statement. ...
- Check the Card A faster method, although not as secure, is to request the applicant's Common Access Card, which serves as a standard ID document for active-duty military. ...
- Verify Via the Web ...
Can the US military turn anyone into a soldier?
No, the US military cannot turn anyone into a soldier. That said, our military is very efficient in training Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines. They have had years of practice doing this, so they have it down pretty well. Training is intense, and many tasks are learned by repetition.
How to locate someone in the military?
Military Personnel and Veterans
- Contact a Service Member in an Emergency. If you can’t reach a family member on active duty in an emergency, contact the American Red Cross. ...
- Get Help Contacting Navy, Marine, and Air Force Service Members. U.S. ...
- Verify Military Service. ...
- Watch Out for Romance Scammers. ...
- Get Help Contacting a Veteran. ...
Would you date someone in the military?
While dating is something that most everyone experiences, being in a relationship with someone in the military offers its own unique experience. Here are seven things you can probably relate to if you are dating someone in the military. 1. You will most likely always be the last one finished eating.
Can you get USAA without being in the military?
YES. Can you get USAA insurance without being in the military? USAA Insurance is one of the most popular and highly rated insurance companies in the United States, but USAA eligibility is only available to military members and their families.
How to check proof of military service?
How to tell if someone is a veteran?
How to send FOIA to the military?
What is the military verification service?
What are the fields in the detailed search form?
What to include in a request letter for military?
Why do we need to verify if someone is serving in the military?
See 4 more
About this website
Can you look up people who served in the military?
You can find veterans' military service records from World War I to the present from the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC). The NPRC houses many types of records, including Official Military Personnel Files (OMPF).
Are military service records public?
If the Veteran was discharged more than 62 years ago, you can order a copy of their military records. The National Archives opens all records to the public 62 years after discharge. If the Veteran was discharged less than 62 years ago, you may be able to request limited information from their Military Personnel File.
How do you find out if someone has been discharged from the military?
We are the official repository for records of military personnel who have been discharged from the U.S. Air Force, Army, Marine Corps, Navy and Coast Guard. If you are a recently separated veteran, records can be found online via the VA eBenefits portal.
Can you look up someone's military discharge?
In accordance with California law, only the following individuals are allowed to obtain a certified copy of a Military Discharge (DD214) record after showing photo identification are: Veteran named on the discharge. Family member of the veteran. Legal representative of the veteran.
Can civilians see military records?
Access to Records, Information for the General Public: Without the consent of the veteran or next-of-kin, the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) can only release limited information from the Official Military Personnel File (OMPF) to the general public.
Are dd214 public record?
D-214 Military Discharge Papers and Separation Documents Discharge documents are confidential and are not available to the general public.
Is there a way to find out if someone was dishonorably discharged?
Although a background check may reveal service history details, you may also petition the Department of Defense to release an individual's military record so you may verify the conditions under which he or she was discharged from the military.
What are the 5 types of military discharges?
In general, there are five different types of discharges from the Army: Honorable; General, Under Honorable Conditions; Under Other than Honorable Conditions; Bad Conduct; and Dishonorable.
Is dishonorable discharge a felony?
In most states, a dishonorable discharge is deemed the equivalent of a felony conviction, with attendant loss of many civil rights. Veterans who have been dishonorably discharged lose the ability to vote, work government jobs, receive government assistance and loans, and hold public office or jury service.
Are dishonorable discharge considered Veteran?
If a person was dishonorably discharged, would they be considered a veteran? Yes. For purposes of HMIS and Point-in-Time (PIT) Count data collection, as long as the person was on active duty for at least one day, Veteran Status should be 'Yes.
How can I find my dad's military photo?
The most likely source for images would be the Soldiers' Individual Service Records file. The National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) is the official repository for such records.
Do soldiers have to pay to come home from deployment?
Soldiers and their loved ones are not charged money so that the Soldier can go on leave. Soldiers are not charged money for secure communications or leave.
How can I find my dad's military photo?
The most likely source for images would be the Soldiers' Individual Service Records file. The National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) is the official repository for such records.
Is dishonorable discharge public record?
The military discharges are recorded without charge and copies are issued without charge as a service to our veterans. Unlike all other records contained in the Register of Deeds Office military discharge documents are considered a public record with restricted access unless they have been on file for 50 years or more.
How can I prove military service?
A DD Form 214 proves military service. Obtaining a copy is essential if you want access to many of the benefits and services available to you. Often referred to as the Report of Separation (freedom documents, promotion to Mr. or Ms.
How do you find out what medals A veteran was awarded?
Forms, addresses, and other information on requesting medals can be found on the Military Personnel Records section of NPRC's Website at www.archives.gov/st-louis/military-personnel. For questions, call Military Personnel Records at (314) 801-0800, or e-mail questions to: [email protected].
Military Personnel Records | National Archives
The National Personnel Records Center, Military Personnel Records (NPRC-MPR) is the repository of millions of military personnel, health, and medical records of discharged and deceased veterans of all services during the 20th century. (Records prior to WWI are in Washington, DC.) NPRC (MPR) also stores medical treatment records of retirees from all services, as well as records
United States Military Records and Databases
Search United States military public record databases to find the Active Duty Status of Service members, military bases, reunions, Veterans cemeteries, casualties, medals, decorations, and much more.
How to Check Military Status - SCRACVS - Servicemembers Civil Relief Act
Servicemembers Civil Relief Act Centralized Verification Service. The Servicemembers Civil Relief Act Centralized Verification Service is a resource for verification of military status under the SCRA as required by courts.
Military Status Verification - SCRA Centralized Verification Service
Military Status Verification. Plaintiffs conduct military status verifications to determine if a person is on active military duty. Courts require these verifications in connection with the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA).
Request your military service records (including DD214)
If you’re a family member planning a burial for a Veteran in a VA national cemetery. Call our National Cemetery Scheduling Office at 800-535-1117.We can help you get the Veteran’s DD214 or other discharge documents you may need.
How to get a copy of my military records?
To get a copy of the vet’s military records, you can: Start a request online (then print and mail) Mail or fax a Standard Form 180 (SF-180) or a letter. Most requests are free.
How to check the status of your order for World War 1?
To check the status of your order for recent records (World War I - Present), contact the National Personnel Records Center. For older military records (generally before 1917), contact the National Archives.
What is a military ID card?
Military identification (ID) cards are U.S. government property for use only by the issued card holder.
How to request changes to a member's service branch?
To request changes, contact the review or correction board for the member's service branch.
Why are military records important?
Military records help prove military service when applying for jobs or government benefits. They’re also helpful for ancestry and historical research.
Can you get non-archival military records?
You can only get limited information about non-archival records without the consent of the veteran or next-of-kin. Non-archival records are those from 62 years ago to the present. Learn about access to non-archival military records by the general public and researchers.
Do you have a question?
Ask a real person any government-related question for free. They'll get you the answer or let you know where to find it.
How to contact the Red Cross?
If you can’t reach a family member on active duty in an emergency, contact the American Red Cross. Their Hero Care Center will get information from you and relay it to the service member. You can reach the Red Cross: 1 By phone at 1-877-272-7337 2 Through an online request (You’ll first need to create an account .) 3 Using its Hero Care app on your mobile device
What to do if you can't reach family member?
If you can’t reach a family member on active duty in an emergency, contact the American Red Cross. Their Hero Care Center will get information from you and relay it to the service member. You can reach the Red Cross:
Can the VA put you in touch with a veteran?
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) may be able to put you in touch with a veteran. The VA will forward your written message to the vet if they have his or her current address on file.
Does the Coast Guard still provide locator services?
The U.S. Army and the U.S. Coast Guard no longer provide military locator services.
How to find out if someone is in the military?
The easiest way to find out if someone is in the military is to use a trusted third-party service such as the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act Centralized Verification Service. While it is theoretically possible to obtain the information on your own by searching military service records, it can be onerous and time-consuming.
Why do we collect military service dates?
We collect this information and supply it to you as well because the determination regarding whether the SCRA applies is reliant on when and whether the service member was on active duty relative to your contract.
Do lenders check military status?
Thus, diligent lenders and merchants check military status before proceeding with any claims against clients defaulting on payments. Even one mistake can cost thousands. Repeat or big-time offenders can be targets of the Justice Department, which has sued major banks, property managers and others, reaching agreements in the tens of millions of dollars.
Is the military exempt from civil prosecution?
But these protections do not mean basic military service members are exempt from these actions, or immune to civil prosecution. It means merchants, lenders and others doing business with servicemembers must follow certain rules regarding how to initiate court cases against them.
Do lenders need to know who is on active duty?
Lenders and those who operate businesses that work with members of the military need to know who is on active duty in order to stay compliant with the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act.
How to find a veteran's DD?
Veterans' Service Records: Archives.gov lets you find a veteran by obtaining free copies of their DD Form 214 and other military service records like their OMPF and medical records. However, you most likely need to be their next of kin to get this information.
What is the Veterans History Project?
Veterans History Project: Library of Congress includes this veteran finder tool that lets you locate someone who served in the military. Browse by last name, war, military branch, state of residence, or race.
Is GI search free?
GI Search: This is more of a social network for military members, but it still serves as a great way to run a free military person search. There are tens of thousands of users and several ways to run the search to find the specific person you're looking for.
Do other people finders exist?
Other people finders exist, too, that might not be focused on showing military information but could still provide it.
Can you find out if someone served in the military?
If someone is telling you war stories that sound farfetched, here’s what you need to know: You can indeed find out if someone served in the U.S. military. Certain military records are available to the public under the U.S. Freedom of Information Act.
Is a military hero reticent?
Here’s the bottom line: Most true military heroes are extremely reticent about their experiences. If someone is trying to impress you with stories of heroism, he’s probably lying. Use the information on Lovefraud.com to check him out.
Was Montgomery a keynote speaker at the Veterans Day ceremony?
Montgomery was the keynote speaker at a New Jersey Veterans Day ceremony in 1995. His photo, standing at the podium in a camouflage uniform and Special Forces beret, appeared in the newspaper. In 1996 and 1997, I accompanied him to a local grammar school, where he, along with two other area veterans, spoke to schoolchildren about the military and war. A sixth-grade boy asked Montgomery if any of his buddies were killed. Montgomery, softly and slowly, answered yes.
Is Montgomery a military fake?
Within two weeks, newspapers in Australia, where Montgomery had taken a job at Charles Sturt University, reported that he was a military fake. One headline was, “Meet Major Fraud.”.
Can VeriSeal tell you if you have completed the training?
Furthermore, there are people who investigate fraudulent claims. VeriSEAL.org can tell you whether or not an individual completed SEAL training. These fake busters have access to information about other Special Operations personnel as well.
Did James Montgomery serve in the military?
But it was all a lie. James Montgomery was never in the military. He never served in Vietnam. He never earned any medals.
Research by War or Conflict
The National Archives holds Federal military service records from the Revolutionary War to 1912 in the National Archives in Washington, D.C. Military service records from WWI - present are held in the National Military Personnel Records Center (NPRC), in St. Louis, Missouri. See details of holdings.
Research by Topic
Explore records, information, articles and resources at the National Archives organized by subject area.
What are some veterans organizations?
Some veterans service organizations such as the VFW and American Legion and other groups also maintain reunion listings, member directories and locator services. Other Sources for Veterans Information, Aid and Benefits may also be of assistance.
Does the Coast Guard still provide locator services?
The U.S. Army and the U.S. Coast Guard no longer provide military locator services.
How to check proof of military service?
One of the most accurate ways to check proof of military service is via a FOIA request.
How to tell if someone is a veteran?
Image: Wikimedia. Another way to find out if someone is a veteran or not is to ask him or her for a copy of their DD-214. The DD Form 214, or DD-214, is a Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty. It is provided to every service member of the U.S. Military upon discharge.
How to send FOIA to the military?
Each branch of the military has their own FOIA department, whereby you can either send it via Snail mail (IE a handwritten or typed letter), or via email.
What is the military verification service?
The first method that you’ll come across when doing a search for something like “verify military service” is the Defense Finance and Accounting Service, otherwise known as DFAS. DFAS is an agency of the Department of Defense that was originally established in 1991 with the sole purpose of managing the DOD’s finances.
What are the fields in the detailed search form?
The detailed search form has custom fields for first name, last name, conflict, award type, military branch, and rank.
What to include in a request letter for military?
The U.S. Military processes requests in the order they were received. A simple request, that is one of only a few pages of requested documents, usually takes a shorter amount of response time compared to detailed requests.
Why do we need to verify if someone is serving in the military?
Reasons include employment verification, checking the background of a relative (like a grandfather) or boyfriend / girlfriend.
Dfas
Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Request
- One of the most accurate ways to check proof of military service is via a FOIA request. Public military records are available to citizens just like other pieces of government documentation. Our founding fathers established public records to offer full transparency between U.S. citizens and the U.S. government, which is why matters of public health and safety are made readily available…
Search The National Personnel Records Center
- The National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) is located in St. Louis, Missouri. For those that are not able to attend NPRC in-person, the national archives are also available to request online. The repository contains millions of military personnel, health, and medical records of discharged as well as deceased veterans of all services during the 20th century. According to the website, reco…
How to Request Military Records from The NPRC
- Step 1: Visit the National Personnel Records Center official website.
- Step 2: Download and print a copy of the SF-180.
- Step 3: Fill out the form SF-180.
- Step 4: Mail the form SF-180 to the National Personnel Records Center. (Address below, scroll down a bit)
Search For Claimed Commendation Medals
- There are better ways to verify the authenticity of someone that claims they served in the U.S. Armed Forces, however, if you want a quick and easy way to conduct a free military background check it is worth a shot. For those service members that claim they received commendation medals such as a Purple Heart or Silver Star, there are available databases online that can verify …
Frequently Asked Questions – Proof of Military Service Online
- Here are your answers to some other questions frequently asked about free military background check and military lookup by name services:
Conclusion
- There are many ways to check to see if someone was in the military. Some may takes days or weeks to get verified. Others, like online background checks, may produce results in minutes yet cost a fee. Regardless, it is important for employers to confirm military service, or for someone like a significant other that wants to make sure someone is not lying to them. Perhaps in the fut…