They are not being destroyed. The National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) preserves and protects the files because they are permanently valuable records that document the essential evidence of military service for veterans. However, there is a rumor circulating on the Internet that advises veterans to apply for their Official Military Personnel Files to save them from destruction. There is no truth to this "urban legend" being perpetuated on the Web.

For information on how to review or obtain copies (certified and non-certified) of entire cases files or individual pleadings from a file that has been archived, click here.

Military veterans and the next of kin of deceased former military members may now use a new on-line military personnel records system to request documents. The National Personnel Records Center is working to make it easier of veterans with computers and Internet access to obtain copies of documents from their military files. Other individuals with a need for documents must still complete a Standard Form 180 that can be downloaded from the on-line web site.

The National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) is the nation's record keeper. Of all documents and materials created in the course of business conducted by the United States Federal government, only 1%-3% are so important for legal or historical reasons that they are kept by us forever.

Anyone can use the National Archives. You do not need to be an American citizen or to present credentials or a letter of recommendation. There are two requirements: There must be records or other materials on your topic among National Archives holdings. If you are better served by visiting your local library or another institution, we will refer you there. You must be at least 14 years old.

The National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) Great Lakes Region office in Chicago. Holds retired records from federal agencies and courts in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, and Wisconsin. Go to this section of the NARA website where you'll find that Census Bureau records are in Record Group (RG) 29. Read "Know Before You Go: U.S. Customs and Border Protection Regulations for U.S. Residents" produced by U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

The National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) is the official repository for records of discharged military personnel. Paper copies of military service and pension records held may be ordered from the facility which holds the records, either the National Archives in Washington, DC or the National Personnel Records Center in St. Louis, MO. Please see this website for further information: http://www.archives.gov/veterans/military-service-records/get-service-records.html.

Most Canadian military records are held by the National Archives of Canada. Please see the Military and Civilian Personnel Records section of the National Archives website, at the following address: Also, the Regina location of Saskatchewan Archives has some records pertaining to Saskatchewan servicemen. The records of the Department of Public Works contain nominal rolls of the Canadian Expeditionary Force in World War I. The names are arranged by battalion only.

The headquarters of the National Archives is located in Washington DC. In addition, a system of Regional Records Services facilities and Presidential libraries spans the entire country. Information on locations and hours can be found at NARA Facilities.

In the Federal Government, electronic records are as indispensable as their paper predecessors for documenting citizens' rights, the actions for which officials are accountable, and the nation's history. Effective democracy depends on access to such records. But we will lose the millions of records being created in electronic forms unless we find ways to preserve and keep them accessible indefinitely.

The governor only has authority over the National Guard, and a ballot initiative can only address an issue whose scope lies within the authority of Massachusetts law. However, by placing this question on the ballot, it can also serve to create a mechanism for citizens to vote on the broader issue of bringing all military personnel home from Iraq.

You will need to be either a DIRECT descendant of the person or have the veteran's signature of the form. If you are a "Next of Kin" you must state the relationship. It must be either Child, Grandchild, GGChild, etc. Niece, Nephew et al will not be authorized to receive the personnel documents. Note: These are the instructions on the form. However, some researchers testify that non-direct descendents have received copies of the records;

The Florida State Archives holds microfilm copies or original records for the following military collections: Revolutionary War Land Bounty Grants; Seminole War muster and service records (FL units only); Mexican War muster rolls and service records (FL units only); Civil War pension, muster rolls, and service records for Florida and several other former Confederate states; Spanish-American War muster rolls and service records (FL units only); World War I service cards and draft registration doc.

Under Executive Order 12958, permanent records must be reviewed, declassified and transferred to the National Archives at 25 years of age. These records then become the property of the National Archives. For more information on State Department records at the National Archives, see our Records at the National Archives and the National Archives and Records Administration web site.

The National Archive and Records Administration collects the administrative records of the USDA, including records relating to civilian personnel, fiscal accounting, procurement, communications, printing, other common functions, and certain audiovisual records. On the other hand, Special Collections of the National Agricultural Library collects materials relating to agriculture in general and non-record material of the USDA.

Your agency may already have a scheme under which you can see your personnel records without having to lodge an FOI request. If not, you can request your personnel records created after 21 April 1995 under the FOI Act, and perhaps earlier records in certain circumstances.

Yes. The various locations of military personnel and health records are listed in the table below, according to branch of service, current status, and applicable dates. Full name, Social Security Number and/or Service Number (both when available), enlistment and discharge dates, date of birth and place of birth (city and state), rank upon discharge or release, address where record is to be mailed, veteran/retiree or Next of Kin signature, and date.

Girl Scouts of the USA will be following the guidelines (see below) issued by the United States Department of Defense (DoD). We are keenly aware and supportive of the widespread desire to show support for our troops overseas. Towards this end, we provide alternate ways to show support, such as helping out the families of service members within their own communities.

Yes. We are proud to be able to send some holiday happiness to our soldiers. We are sure they will enjoy a Letter From Santa because it's a sentiment that's shared from the heart. Even though your loved one is away they will know they are being thought of at Christmas. Just be sure to order early to ensure timely delivery to their APO address.

NARA recognizes that the expectation of easy online access to our holdings continues to grow. Research is no longer relegated to libraries and research rooms, but is being done around-the-clock on computers around the world. To meet this need, we will create, to the greatest extent possible, an "archives without walls." We plan to create digital versions of selected records, including those most requested by researchers.

Often research can be conducted in local libraries or historical societies. Our Getting Started document can explain differences and similarities between NARA and libraries.

Currently the Archives and Records Center houses over seven thousand cubic feet of records, or approximately seventeen million individual items.

Windows file synchronization is not a records management system. Files will be stored based on individual and departmental file storage techniques, including differences in some departments with existing systems for storage of large files. Muskie Archives will assist in improving these techniques. part of this project, Muskie Archives has developed recommended best practices for managing electronic records, including advice on directory structures, file and folder names and file maintenance.

Our mission makes us different. Unlike the other Armed Forces branches, we have a dual mission, meaning we answer to both state and federal governments. So Guard Soldiers can be deployed by either the governor of their resident state or the president of the United States, depending on where they are needed most. Yes. Because of the National Guard's dual state-federal mission, Guard members can be mobilized to protect and defend America in battle domestically or overseas.

It's our dual mission that makes us different. Unlike the other Armed Forces branches, we’re under the jurisdiction of both state and federal governments, so Guard Soldiers can be deployed by either the governor of their resident state, or the president of the United States, depending on where they are needed most.

Military records are found in several Record and Manuscript Groups. Click here for information on the French and Indian War, Revolutionary War, War of 1812, Mexican War, Civil War, Pennsylvania National Guard, Spanish-American War, Mexican Border Campaign, World War I, World War II, and Vietnam Conflict. Yes. There is an online name index to Revolutionary War pension records at the Pennsylvania State Archives.