- Navy World Wide Locator Your first option is to call the Navy World Wide Locator. However, beyond the one-year mark, their information is likely protected by privacy laws. ...
- American Red Cross The American Red Cross is a fantastic option to help find someone in the military. ...
- GISearch Another option for finding someone in the military is GISearch. The GISearch website is a free social networking resource for finding and staying in touch with service members. ...
- VetFriends VetFriends got its start in 2000, and it works to reconnect service members to find their friends. Best of all, the VetFriends business is veteran-owned. ...
- Air Force Worldwide Locator The Air Force Worldwide Locator can process all requests for service members currently in service with the Air Force. ...
- Separations and Retirement Branch (MMSR-6) The Separations and Retirement Branch of the Marine Corps can help locate former Marines. Step 1: Send an email detailing your request for information. ...
- Archives.gov
- By phone at 1-877-272-7337.
- Through an online request (You'll first need to create an account.)
- Using its Hero Care app on your mobile device.
Can I find out if someone was in the Army?
The quickest way to find someone in the military is to visit the official Servicemembers Civil Relief Act website. The form can be used to request a certificate that verifies active duty status on a specified date. To submit a request, you’ll need the following information:
How can you find a soldier in the Army?
- National Contact Center (GSA) The National Contact Center, part of the General Services Administration, may be of help to you. ...
- The American Legion The American Legion provides a limited service for members to locate other members. ...
- Books and articles on locating members or former members of the military: Gormley, Myra Vanderpool. ...
How do you get fast rank in the Army?
Military Training
- Deployment. The deployment category isn't going to help you out too much. ...
- APFT. The Army Physical Fitness Test may not be the easiest category to max out but it is the fastest. ...
- Weapons Qualification. Qualifying on your weapon is also going to be a quick category to score some big points. ...
How do I get Out of the Army?
How to Get Out of the Military Early
- Easiest Way to Get Out of the Army. An individual may want to leave military service for many reasons, many of which are personal. ...
- Types of Military Discharge. ...
- Entry-Level Separations. ...
- Medical Conditions and Discharge. ...
- Other Types of Discharge. ...
- Honorable Discharge Process. ...
- Military Discharge Records. ...
Can you look up someone who was in the army?
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).
How do I find my past military members?
You can request your military records in any of these ways:Mail or fax a Request Pertaining to Military Records (Standard Form SF 180) to the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC). ... Write a letter to the NPRC. ... Visit the NPRC in person.Contact your state or county Veterans agency.Hire an independent researcher.
Is a person's military record public?
Military personnel records are open to the public 62 years after they leave the military. (To calculate this, take the current year and subtract 62.) Records of any veteran who separated from the military 62 (or more) years ago can be ordered by anyone for a copying fee (detailed below under “cost”).
Can you look up military service records online?
The National Archives office, separate from the NPRC, holds military personnel files with final dates of service from at least 62 years ago. You can request National Archives records online or through the NPRC by mailing or faxing an SF-180 to the NPRC addresses above.
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.
Does the military keep records?
The National Archives' National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) stores records of individual military service pertaining to former service members who no longer have a service obligation.
Are military records confidential?
A certificate of release or discharge , casualty report, death notice or other record pertaining to active duty service issued by the United States Government, classified by the United States Government as confidential and filed for safekeeping with any state, county or local government authority is confidential for a ...
Where are military records kept?
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.)
How do I find my father's military service number?
Your father's service number should be listed in his Official Military Personnel File (OMPF). OMPFs and individual medical reports for those who served in the U.S. Armed Forces and who were separated from the service prior to 1955 are in the custody of NARA's National Personnel Records Center in St. Louis.
How do I find my ancestry military records?
From any page on Ancestry®, search all military records by clicking the Search tab and selecting Military. If your search results contain more records than are helpful, try adding information to your search one field at a time until you get results you can use.
Can I view my dd214 online?
Most veterans and their next of kin can obtain FREE copies of their DD Form 214 (Report of Separation) via online access. To use the system, you must be a military veteran, next of kin of a deceased member of the military, or former member of the military.
How to find retired military personnel?
Individuals have also had success locating former and retired military personnel by placing advertisements or reunion notices in Coast Guard periodicals. These magazines have a combined circulation of several hundred thousand. Please contact the individual editors for assistance.
What to do if you can't locate someone?
If you suspect the person you are unable to locate has been the victim of a crime, you should immediately contact your closest law enforcement agency. This information can help you to locate active, reserve, and retired Department of Defense ( DOD) military personnel.
How much is the locator service?
Other family members, civilian friends, businesses, or any others must pay a non-refundable fee of $3.50 (price may vary) in the form of a check or money order made payable to the U.S. Treasury.
How to find active duty Coast Guard?
To locate Active Duty Personnel Only, call the telephone number is (202) 493-1697 or send an e-mail with the person’s full name to [email protected].
What is the Air Force Worldwide Locator?
The Air Force Worldwide Locator can locate active duty personnel, as well as retirees, reservists, and guardsmen. In most cases, parents, spouses, and government officials may call 210/565-2478. Letters requesting locator service should be mailed to:
What is the number to call Marine Corps?
The office is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., eastern time. The telephone number is 703/784-3942. Your written request should be mailed to:
What is the phone number for FED?
Also, you can call the National Contact Center toll-free at 1 (800) FED INFO, Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., eastern time.
How to find someone on active duty?
If the person you're trying to find is currently on active duty, and you know their rank, name, and where they are stationed, finding them is pretty easy. Every military base has a "base locator." You can usually locate the military member you're looking for with a simple phone call.
How to find out if someone is in the Air Force?
In order for the Air Force to properly locate the correct individual, your request must contain as much of the following information as possible: 1 Full name to include a middle initial, 2 Rank 3 Social Security number 4 Date of birth 5 Any known assignment information (places/dates)
What does a base locator do?
The base locator can give you the duty phone number and duty address of any active duty person stationed on that base. Unless the individual has asked to keep the information private, the locator can also give you their home phone number and home address.
What to do if you don't know where the military is stationed?
If you don't know where the member is stationed, you'll need to contact the specific service's worldwide locator service. Each military branch has their own.
How to contact a military base locator?
To contact the base locator, call long distance information, and ask them to connect you to the base operator for the military base where the member is stationed. When the base operator comes on the line, ask to be connected to the base locator. The base locator can give you the duty phone number and duty address of any active duty person stationed on that base. Unless the individual has asked to keep the information private, the locator can also give you their home phone number and home address.
What is GI search?
GI Search. Database with information from many current and former military members. Free
What information do you need to locate a person?
Give as much identifying information as possible about the person you wish to locate such as full name, rank (rate), last duty assignment/last known military address, service number, and Social Security number.
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 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.
What is the best way to find someone in the military?
American Red Cross. The American Red Cross is a fantastic option to help find someone in the military. However, remember that the American Red Cross as a tool to find a service member is only in the event of a verifiable emergency. Also, there is an online tool as long as you have all the necessary information.
How to find out if someone is in the Air Force?
For finding someone serving in the Air Force, follow the following steps: Step 1: gather up the full name, rank, date of birth, and known duty stations. Step 2: Include your personal information in the request, including your name and contact information. Step 3: Include a self-addressed stamped envelope.
How to prove there is an emergency?
Step 1: Gather up the name, rank, social or date of birth, military branch, and any known information about the deployment status. Step 2: Have a contact name and phone number for the family member at the center of the emergency.
How to contact a military member?
However, beyond the one-year mark, their information is likely protected by privacy laws. Step 1: Call 1-866-827-5672. Step 2: Be prepared to give as much information as possible to identify the service member. Step 3: Unless you are a family member, expect to pay a search fee of $3.50.
What is the number to call for a family member?
If you lack key details, you need to call to speak to a specialist at 1-877-272-7337. Furthermore, the American Red Cross can help if you are a family member or have information regarding a family member. Also, the person you are looking for must be active duty or in the Reserves or Guards on active duty status.
How many users does VetFriends have?
Also, VetFriends has nearly three million users, so it is a great resource for searching for those who served.
What information can you recall about a service member?
Ideally, you can recall as much information as possible about the service member, including their name, last known location, and rank.
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.
Where can I find military records?
Find military records with the National Personnel Records Center. Image: Army.com. 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.
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.
How to check proof of military service?
One of the most accurate ways to check proof of military service is via a FOIA request.
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.
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.
What is Vet Friends?
Vet Friends.com helps you to reunite with friends and family who are veterans of or are currently serving in the U.S. Armed Forces. A commercial site offering free resources to serve, connect, and inform active duty members, reservists, guard members, retirees, veterans, family members, defense workers and those considering military careers.
Does the Coast Guard still provide locator services?
The U.S. Army and the U.S. Coast Guard no longer provide military locator services.
