Part 1

How to get your records.

How to correct your records.

What to do if they lost your records.

• Have your records been lost stolen, destroyed or just got up on their own two legs and walked away?
• Have you found a mistake in them?

Well if so, here's how to correct the problem and you should correct it now. Not later when you need it, say at a VA hospital or a bank to get a home loan. Since the only two sure things we know about for sure, death and taxes, your family is going to need them when you die for veterans burial benefits.

1. First don't go to the VA looking for them. The VA is not the keeper of your records. They only have records for those veterans who have applied for some VA benefit and usually only the records they needed. Your military records and all veterans records are handled by the National Personnel Records Center which is part of the National Archives. Each service has a section in their operation in Saint Louis where 98% of all veterans records are stored. The good news is that they will send you a copy of everything they have on you. If you request it.

However for many of you especially World War II veterans there is some bad news. They had a fire back in the 70's that destroyed almost 80% of the records of US Army veterans who served between 1912 and January 1, 1960. Also, Air Force veteran records from 1947 to January 1, 1964 with family names from Hubbard to Z were destroyed. What do you do? Skip the next few paragraphs and go to plan B. However for the rest of us over 50,000,000 that they have records on file for keep reading.

To get yours you need a SF180 which you can download from our download area. You can also get the SF180 from VA offices or your local county veterans office.

When you get it fill it out as completely as possible. Pay especially close attention to service numbers. If you where in when each service had their own be sure to include those along with your social security number. On the back of the form find the exact address where you should submit it. Then mail it there. If you have a couple of bucks to spare then stop by a post office and mail it certified mail. That way you know for sure if they get it.

Then sit back and wait. It can take as long as four months to get a response. If you didn't fill the form out right or as complete as you should you will get back instead of your records another form telling you what information they still need to find your records. No they are not stupid it is just that with over 50 million records there are a whole lot having the same name, even an unusual name.

2. OOP's you got them and found a mistake on them or there has been one there on the copies you have that you didn't know how to fix. Well correcting them is not that hard. It takes time though, so if you start this I suggest you read about Job in the Old Testament, after getting your records corrected you can tell folks Job had it easyJ.

There is no form for the correction of records. Also we are talking about errors in the records not trying to get your less than honorable discharge upgraded. If that is the case you need to see your county veterans officer as this is something that can't be dealt with in one web session.

Enter our download area and download the Information Pack "Your Records." This spells out everything you need to do in detail. Follow the directions there and hang in.

3. Plan B. Let's face it, when dealing with our government (actually any government) you need a plan B. Ok your records where those lost in the fire. Well they can do some things for you in the way of verifying service and your status when discharged. Go over to our download area and download the Information Pack entitled "Your Records."

Follow it closely as its' information is based upon what has succeeded in getting records replaced or at least your military service verified. Now or later you may need this information. For a job requirement now or later for burial benefits to assist your family and military honors at your funeral. In any case

Don't read here until you are done there.

You now have your records? Good, here is what you should do. Go immediately to the closest VA Center and register.

It takes less than an hour and you get a beautiful photo ID that has established your access to VA Benefits. It also helps the VA when they request their budget each year.

It's a win-win situation. The VA has a better data base to base it's budget on and you have a ID card that proves you are a vet.

Remember VA benefits are not free benefits. You have paid for them with a currency worth far more than money. You paid by your service!