How to Obtain Military Records of a Family Member?
Obtaining military records of a family member can be a crucial step in researching your family history, tracing your ancestry, or even seeking benefits related to military service. Military records can provide valuable information about a person’s service, including their enlistment date, rank, branch of service, and even their combat history. In this article, we will guide you through the process of obtaining military records of a family member.
Why Obtain Military Records?
Before we dive into the process of obtaining military records, it’s essential to understand why these records are important. Military records can provide a wealth of information about a person’s service, including:
- Service history: Military records can provide information about a person’s enlistment date, rank, branch of service, and dates of service.
- Combat history: Military records can provide information about a person’s combat history, including the dates and locations of battles they participated in.
- Medals and awards: Military records can provide information about the medals and awards a person received during their service.
- Discharge information: Military records can provide information about a person’s discharge status, including the date and reason for discharge.
- Benefits: Military records can be used to prove eligibility for military benefits, such as veterans’ pensions, education benefits, and healthcare benefits.
How to Obtain Military Records?
Obtaining military records can be a straightforward process, but it requires some planning and patience. Here are the steps to follow:
Step 1: Determine Which Records You Need
Before you start requesting records, you need to determine which records you need. You can request records from the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) or the military branch in which your family member served. NARA is responsible for storing and providing access to military records from World War I to the present.
- Service records: Service records typically include information about a person’s service history, including their enlistment date, rank, branch of service, and dates of service.
- Personnel records: Personnel records typically include information about a person’s military career, including their assignments, promotions, and awards.
- Medical records: Medical records typically include information about a person’s medical history, including any injuries or illnesses they sustained during service.
Step 2: Gather Required Information
Before you request records, you need to gather some required information. You will need to provide:
- Name: The full name of the service member, including their first and last name.
- Service number: The service number or Social Security number of the service member.
- Branch of service: The branch of service in which the service member served (e.g., Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard).
- Dates of service: The dates of service, including the enlistment date and the date of discharge.
- Relationship: Your relationship to the service member (e.g., parent, child, sibling).
Step 3: Request Records
Once you have gathered the required information, you can request records from NARA or the military branch in which your family member served. Here are the steps to follow:
- NARA: You can request records from NARA online or by mail. To request records online, visit the NARA website and fill out the request form. To request records by mail, send a letter with the required information to:
- National Archives and Records Administration
- 700 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
- Washington, DC 20408-0001
- Military branch: You can request records from the military branch in which your family member served. For example, if your family member served in the Army, you can request records from the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC).
Step 4: Wait for Response
After you have requested records, you need to wait for a response. NARA typically responds to requests within 3-5 months, while the military branch may take longer.
Step 5: Review and Organize Records
Once you receive the records, you need to review and organize them. You can use a spreadsheet or a genealogy software to help you organize the records.
Fees and Costs
NARA and the military branch may charge fees for record requests. Here are some fees to expect:
- NARA: NARA charges a fee of $7.00 per hour for record searches, plus $0.50 per page for copies.
- Military branch: The military branch may charge a fee for record requests, which can range from $20 to $100 or more.
Tips and Tricks
Here are some tips and tricks to help you obtain military records:
- Be patient: Requesting records can take time, so be patient and don’t get discouraged if you don’t receive a response right away.
- Use online resources: You can use online resources, such as genealogy websites and military history websites, to help you research your family member’s service.
- Contact a veteran’s organization: If you are having trouble obtaining records, you can contact a veteran’s organization, such as the Veterans of Foreign Wars or the American Legion, for assistance.
Conclusion
Obtaining military records of a family member can be a valuable step in researching your family history and tracing your ancestry. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can obtain the records you need to learn more about your family member’s service. Remember to be patient, gather required information, and use online resources to help you research your family member’s service.
