US Military Basic Search Strategies: Difference between revisions

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:Telephone: 314-538-4141
:Telephone: 314-538-4141


'''Index to Records'''<br>
*[https://www.birls.org/ BIRLS - Beneficiary Identification Records Locator Subsystem] at US Dept of Veterans Affairs (VA): National Personnel Records Center – index to veterans with files at the VA; includes vital status, service, and beneficiary status
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The website describes facilities and services; upcoming events; and records, including official military personnel files, medical records, morning reports, and unit rosters. It also has blank Standard Form 180, “Request Pertaining to Military Records,” for nongenealogical requests. The center will provide to next of kin or authorized representatives information such as birth date and place, death date and place, and burial place. Most other information, such as age; dates of service; marital status; names, sex, and age of dependents; rank; present and past duty assignments; educational level; decorations and awards; duty status (active, reserve, discharged, retired, deceased); photograph (if available); records of courts-martial; and service number can be made available to anyone under the Freedom of Information Act.  
The website describes facilities and services; upcoming events; and records, including official military personnel files, medical records, morning reports, and unit rosters. It also has blank Standard Form 180, “Request Pertaining to Military Records,” for nongenealogical requests. The center will provide to next of kin or authorized representatives information such as birth date and place, death date and place, and burial place. Most other information, such as age; dates of service; marital status; names, sex, and age of dependents; rank; present and past duty assignments; educational level; decorations and awards; duty status (active, reserve, discharged, retired, deceased); photograph (if available); records of courts-martial; and service number can be made available to anyone under the Freedom of Information Act.