What Information Can I Get From Military Records?
Anyone who has been discharged from service in the military has personnel files that are kept at the National Archives and Records Administration. They are the official repository for all of the records for any military personnel who have been discharged from the United States Army, Navy, Coast Guard, Air Force or Marine Corps.
How Much Information Can You Get From National Archives
You will not be able to obtain detailed information about military battle participation and engagements from these particular records. The military records that are available are mainly administrative records that may feature an abundance of valuable information such as:
Awarded medals and other decorations
Remarks from administration
Appointment and enlistment details
Assignments and duty stations
Any disciplinary action taken
Performance, training and qualifications
Insurance information
Discharge, separation or retirement information
Emergency data
And other personnel information or actions
What Is Available From Navy Service Records
You will discover much information is available from the service records of the United States Navy.
The Enlisted Field Service Records provides information on all sailors who are currently enlisted in the Naval Reserve or U.S. Navy. This record is maintained in order to aid commanding officers in important personnel decisions. Keep in mind that you will not be able to get wills, birth certificates, divorce decrees, marriage license or other personal data from these particular files. In addition, review of these records is available only for the purpose of performance of official duties.
The enlisted permanent personnel record provides information on a sailor's fitness, character, professional qualifications and performance. These records are sent to the National Personnel Record Center fifteen months after the sailor's separation. Access to these records is available to the sailor, an authorized representative, the Chief of Naval Personnel or for review of performance of official duties, court-martial or as ordered by a judge.
Marines Official Military Personnel File
Here you will find a history of Marines' career from the time they entered the Corps or the Marine Corps Reserves all the way through until resignation, death, discharge or retirement. Documents and administrative materials related to the events throughout the career of marines are listed in chronological order.
What About Health Records
The majority of official military records contain health records as well as personnel records, but only the ones prior to 1992 because the practice has been discontinued.
The health records that you can access include mental health treatment records, dental records as well as outpatient records for treatments received during the time served in the military. Health records include records of physical examinations given for both induction to and separation from the military. Also included are records of medical care such as lab tests, doctor visits, dental visits and any other instances that did not require admittance to a hospital.
On the contrary, inpatient hospital records are not filed with the other health records, but created by the hospital or facility and then retired to the National Personnel Record Center. Other records not included for viewing are the records of the Department of Veteran Affairs or the records of anyone serving in the military following 1992.