Why It Matters
The National Personnel Records Center maintains decades of military service records for millions of discharged and deceased servicemembers, but navigating the system requires understanding how the agency operates, what records it holds, and how to request documentation. Policy changes, like the recent correction of discharge records for Don't Ask, Don't Tell servicemembers, create new urgency for congressional offices helping constituents obtain accurate military personnel files.
The Big Picture
The Military Personnel Records division of the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) is a component of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) located in St. Louis, Missouri. The NPRC holds most existing U.S. military personnel, health, and medical records of discharged and deceased servicemembers of all services from World War I to the present.
Official Military Personnel File (OMPF) records can be requested online through the eVetRecs system, via Standard Form 180 submitted by mail, or by fax. The OMPF is primarily an administrative record containing service history information, including enlistment or appointment date and type, duty stations and assignments, training, qualifications, performance, military awards and unit histories, disciplinary actions, insurance, and separation or discharge information. It does not contain detailed information about a veteran's participation in battles and military engagements. Veterans seeking comprehensive historical documentation may need to supplement their personnel files with other sources or contact congressional offices for assistance.
Veterans, their next-of-kin, or authorized representatives may request OMPF records. The NPRC defines next-of-kin as the unmarried widow or widower, son, daughter, father, mother, brother, or sister of the deceased veteran. Individuals who do not meet this definition can request military personnel records via the Freedom of Information Act as members of the general public.
Political Stakes
The agency faces historical complications in its mission. In 1973, a fire at the NPRC destroyed approximately 16 million to 18 million Army and Air Force official military personnel files. Despite this loss, the NPRC uses alternate sources of information to respond to requests when files were lost in the fire, allowing it to provide documentation even when original records no longer exist.
On Wednesday, September 20, 2023, marking the 12th anniversary of the repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell, the Department of Defense (DOD) announced its review of records for eligible servicemembers administratively separated for sexual orientation during Don't Ask, Don't Tell with less than fully honorable discharges. The review was completed in October 2024, and corrected records were sent to the National Archives, creating an administrative obligation for the NPRC to manage the updates. DOD sent letters to affected individuals explaining how to obtain copies of their corrected discharge certificates, but the responsibility for fielding constituent inquiries falls largely to congressional offices.
The Bottom Line
Congressional offices can contact the NPRC at 314-801-0816 for assistance with constituent inquiries tied to the review. The NPRC's public customer service line is 314-801-0800, and its fax number for standard requests is 314-801-9195.
Congress should ensure constituent services staff understand the eVetRecs system, mail procedures, and fax options for requesting Official Military Personnel Files, particularly as the Don't Ask, Don't Tell review generates a fresh wave of constituent requests for corrected records.
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