US Help Center (2024)

FAQs

How to find out if someone was in the military for free? ›

Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA) Request. One of the most accurate ways to verify military service records is through a FOIA request letter. Public military service records are readily available to citizens just like other pieces of government information.

Lloyd J. Austin III is the 28th secretary of defense, sworn in on Jan. 22, 2021. A graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, N.Y., Austin served 41 years in uniform, retiring as a four-star Army general after three years as commander of U.S. Central Command.

For further information concerning the Department of Defense, contact the Director, Directorate for Public Inquiry and Analysis, Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs, 1400 Defense Pentagon, Washington, DC 20301-1400. Phone, 703- 697-9312.

The National Archives' National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) stores records of individual military service pertaining to former service members who no longer have a service obligation.

Military scammers will often “sweet-talk” to their victims and mention how badly they want to meet. Red flags include if the person is moving too fast, appears to have a highly charged emotional connection after a few conversations, or even proposes before meeting in real life.

Verification of Military Service

Please use the Defense Manpower Data Center's (DMDC) Military Verification service to verify if someone is in the military. The website will tell you if the person is currently serving in the military.

Age limits

Army: 17 - 35. Coast Guard: 17 - 41. Marine Corps: 17 - 28. Navy: 17 - 41.

The President is both the head of state and head of government of the United States of America, and Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces.

There are currently 43 active-duty four-star officers in the uniformed services of the United States: 13 in the Army, three in the Marine Corps, eight in the Navy, 13 in the Air Force, three in the Space Force, two in the Coast Guard, and one in the Public Health Service Commissioned Corps.

The President of the United States of America is the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces. The Secretary of Defense is the principal defense policy advisor to the President. Under the direction of the President, the Secretary exercises authority, direction, and control over the DoD.

Are cell phones allowed in the Pentagon? ›

As a convenience, small lockboxes are available for cellphone and smartwatch storage during your tour. However, laptops, cameras or other large electronic devices must not be brought with you to the Pentagon.

Photography is permitted within the Pentagon Memorial. However, consistent with current policy (32 CFR 234), photography is restricted at all other locations on the Reservation (i.e. pedestrian and vehicular pathways; drop-off areas).

This may not involve a full 8 years of active service (or drilling service), but that person remains in military service, at least in the Individual Ready Reserve, for the full 8 years, subjecting them to call-up by the Armed Forces to meet the needs of the Armed Forces. This can mean international deployment.

If you were discharged from regular active duty after January 1, 1950, a copy of DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge From Active Duty should be included with your VA Form 26-1880. If you were discharged after October 1, 1979, DD Form 214 copy 4 should be included.

Military personnel records are open to the public 62 years after they leave the military. (To calculate this, take the current year and subtract 62.) Records of any veteran who separated from the military 62 (or more) years ago can be ordered by anyone for a copying fee (detailed below under “cost”).

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA)

The majority of service records, medical and health records can be found at the National Archives and Records Administration. If you're the next of kin of a veteran, you may request records yourself.

Veterans Directories and Locators from Other Organizations

The Directory of Veterans Service Organizations is a short list of service organizations that may offer reunion listings or locator services. The American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars both have magazines that contain lists of reunions and more..

To begin searching, select the “Collection Items” tab. Here you can search for an individual veteran by name, find veterans who served in particular units or service locations, or browse collections contributed by an organization. There are several ways to search the Veterans History Project Collection.