# How can I find the address to write to a specific soldier? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [March 22, 2003, 3:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-find-the-address-to-write-to-a-specific-soldier/163275 "2003-03-22T03:02:45Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 5\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![jackelope](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/a6a055/32.png) [@jackelope](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jackelope)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2003, 3:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-find-the-address-to-write-to-a-specific-soldier/163275/1 "2003-03-22T03:02:45Z")
A friend of mine is a Marine Reservist and recently got called up. Unfortunately, I didn’t hear about it until he was gone and don’t have the address to write to him. (We’ve got only one friend in common, and he doesn’t have the address either.) Does anyone know how I can find his military mailing address with just his first and last names and hometown? ---
**Author:** ![CrankyAsAnOldMan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crankyasanoldman/32/11670_2.png) [@CrankyAsAnOldMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CrankyAsAnOldMan)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2003, 3:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-find-the-address-to-write-to-a-specific-soldier/163275/2 "2003-03-22T03:39:31Z")
Here’s a total long shot, but… my hometown paper has invited parents and spouses to send in their active military person’s address. They have a list of them online. You might check to see if his hometown has an online version of their paper, and see if his relatives submitted his name. ---
**Author:** ![Convict](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ad7895/32.png) [@Convict](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Convict)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2003, 5:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-find-the-address-to-write-to-a-specific-soldier/163275/3 "2003-03-22T05:23:39Z")
If you know the location of the Reserve Center his unit is based out of you can send it there. Even though the unit has shipped out there are probably a few people left (most likely civilians) who would be able to forward it on. If that doesn’t work try contacting the local Marine recruiting station. If they can’t give you an address they would know who to contact for the information. ---
**Author:** ![Triskadecamus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b19c9b/32.png) [@Triskadecamus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Triskadecamus)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2003, 5:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-find-the-address-to-write-to-a-specific-soldier/163275/4 "2003-03-22T05:26:23Z")
> [@](#): > > [LOCATING ACTIVE DUTY MARINES > To locate active duty Marines, contact the Marine Corps World Wide Locator at Quantico, Va. Their hours are Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The phone number is (703) 784-3942. Their address is: > > HEADQUARTERS U.S. MARINE CORPS > PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT SUPPORT BRANCH (MMSB-17) > 2008 ELLIOT ROAD > QUANTICO, VA 22134-5030 > > For Marines with common last names, a Social Security Number may be required.]([http://www.mcrdsd.usmc.mil/FAQ.htm#activelocate](http://www.mcrdsd.usmc.mil/FAQ.htm#activelocate)) ---
**Author:** ![jackelope](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/a6a055/32.png) [@jackelope](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jackelope)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2003, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-find-the-address-to-write-to-a-specific-soldier/163275/5 "2003-03-22T18:48:15Z")
Thanks for the suggestions, all. **Cranky** , that’s a great idea, but I work at our local paper and I checked the archives: nothing. We’re running a few soldiers’ addresses, but he’s not one of them. **Convict** , I don’t know why I didn’t think of that. I’ll try the recruiting station, and if that doesn’t help I’ll try **Triskadecamus** ’s suggestion on Monday.