# Free access to US military service records? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [December 7, 2011, 3:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/free-access-to-us-military-service-records/605337 "2011-12-07T03:34:14Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Sitnam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Sitnam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sitnam)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2011, 3:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/free-access-to-us-military-service-records/605337/1 "2011-12-07T03:34:14Z")
I have some distant relatives that served in the US military, I’d like to learn more about them, it seems to me access to this stuff should be public record and free. That has not been my experience. Any advice? ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2011, 3:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/free-access-to-us-military-service-records/605337/2 "2011-12-07T03:46:02Z")
Here’s the official source. There’s no charge for a family member. It’s easier if you know your relatives service number. It’s on their DD 214 (paperwork they get when they retire or leave the service). There was a big fire in 1973 that destroyed a lot of records. But, with luck you probably will get your family members service record. Make sure you request a copy of his ‘entire’ service record. Otherwise they may just send another copy of the DD 214. > **[Request Military Service Records](https://www.archives.gov/veterans/military-service-records)** > > Veterans and their next of kin can get FREE copies of their DD 214, and other military service records including Official Military Personnel File (OMPF), Replacement Medals, and Medical and Health Records. The fire… > **[The 1973 Fire, National Personnel Records Center](https://www.archives.gov/personnel-records-center/fire-1973)** > > The National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) Fire: A Study in Disaster Overview: On July 12, 1973, a disastrous fire at the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) destroyed approximately 16-18 million Official Military Personnel Files (OMPF). ---
**Author:** ![Una\_Persson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/una_persson/32/346_2.png) [@Una\_Persson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Una_Persson)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2011, 4:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/free-access-to-us-military-service-records/605337/3 "2011-12-07T04:12:20Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > There was a big fire in 1973 that destroyed a lot of records. But, with luck you probably will get your family members service record. You might need a lot of luck. That fire was incredibly devastating to the military history of servicemen and servicewomen of the United States. If they served in WW1, the museum in Kansas City might be able to help out. Their library is pretty good, and I’ve found some good information there. ---
**Author:** ![Sitnam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Sitnam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sitnam)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2011, 4:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/free-access-to-us-military-service-records/605337/4 "2011-12-07T04:18:45Z")
ACW, WWI and WWII. Unfortunately I don’t know their service numbers. Thanks for the advice so far, I’ll look into it. **aceplace57** , they are far beyond next of kin, can I still get their DD 214? ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2011, 4:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/free-access-to-us-military-service-records/605337/5 "2011-12-07T04:27:11Z")
Anything before 1949 are public records that anyone can get. I’m not sure how strict they are on “next of kin”. You’d think a grandchild or great-grandchild would be entitled to their relatives records. But, I don’t know for sure. In my case, I requested my dads records. At some point I may request my dads brothers naval records from WWII. I haven’t got that far yet. 😉 > [@](#): > > Please note: Records are accessioned into the National Archives, and become archival, 62 years after the service member’s separation from the military. This is a rolling date; hence, the current year, 2011, minus 62 years is 1949. Records with a discharge date of 1949 or prior are archival and are open to the public. ---
**Author:** ![Mr\_Downtown](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Mr\_Downtown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr_Downtown)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2011, 4:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/free-access-to-us-military-service-records/605337/6 "2011-12-07T04:32:25Z")
The records on [Ancestry.com](http://Ancestry.com) Library Edition can often be accessed at your local public library. I was a little stunned to find the roster showing that my grandfather spent almost his entire Marine career in the Atlanta Federal Penitentiary for “lewd behavior.” ---
**Author:** ![Fubaya](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/c2a13f/32.png) [@Fubaya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fubaya)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2011, 4:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/free-access-to-us-military-service-records/605337/7 "2011-12-07T04:47:23Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > I’m not sure how strict they are on “next of kin”. You’d think a grandchild or great-grandchild would be entitled to their relatives records. But, I don’t know for sure. In my case, I requested my dads records. 😉 I was thinking about doing this for my grandfather’s records recently but decided I probably couldn’t because this is on the site: > [@](#): > > The next of kin can be any of the following: > > ``` > Surviving spouse that has not remarried > Father > Mother > Son > Daughter > Sister > Brother > > ``` If a spouse can’t get the records after they remarry, I take it they’re pretty strict.