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1. How do I request military records?

The U.S. Armed Forces maintain an Official Military Personnel File, or OMPF, for every veteran and service member. If you are a veteran or a member of the Army, Navy, Marines, or Air Force and are serving as active duty, reserve, or guard, or if you are retired, you can use the Defense Personnel Records Information Retrieval System page on the milConnect website to request and receive scanned copies of documents in your OMPF.

In some cases, OMPF records are not yet scanned into the DPRIS system on milConnect. To determine whether your documents are available online, what to do if they are not, and for many more details about your OMPF documents, visit the DPRIS section of the milConnect frequently asked questions page.

For OMPF records not available in milConnect, military veteran health records, or for records requests from a veteran's next of kin or a member of the public, please visit the National Archives - National Personnel Record Center, Military Personnel Records for assistance:

Link:  Archives.gov - Military Personnel Records
Link: Archives.gov - Other Medical Records

Active Duty and Reserve Military Records

If you do not have a copy of your DD Form 214 or other military records and we are unable to obtain them for you, you can request a copy from the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) by mail or fax using Standard Form 180, or completing an online form and submitting the signature page you receive when you have completed the form.

Mailing Address - National Personnel Records Center
1 Archives Drive
St. Louis, Missouri 63138

Fax Number - (314) 801-9195

Wisconsin National Guard Records

You can request a copy of your Wisconsin National Guard Records by mail or fax using Standard Form 180.

Mailing Address - Wisconsin National Guard
 ATTN WIAR-G1-RHA
 PO Box 8111
 Madison WI 53708-8111

Fax Number - (608) 242-3400

For more information visit the Wisconsin Department of Military affairs

2. How do I request an upgrade of discharge characterization?

Veterans who believe the characterization of their discharge from military service was unjust, erroneous, or warrants an upgrade are encouraged to apply for a discharge upgrade or correction.

All branches of the military consider you to have a strong case for a discharge upgrade if you can show your discharge was connected to any of these categories:

• Mental health conditions, including posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
• Sexual assault or harassment during military service
• Sexual orientation (including discharges under the Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell policy)

The Department of Defense and Department of Veterans Affairs jointly operate an online tool to facilitate your application process.  By answering a series of questions, you will receive customized instructions on how to apply, and to which board to apply, for a discharge upgrade or correction.

Link:  Discharge upgrade instructions

If you do not agree with a Service Board for Correction of Military/Naval Records (BCM/NR) decision, and have relevant evidence that was not considered with the previous application, you may submit a new DD Form 149 to your respective BCM/NR and apply for reconsideration of your case.

Service members with a separation date on or after December 20, 2019, who have exhausted all available administrative remedies for a discharge or dismissal characterization upgrade by their Service BCM/NR, may be eligible to apply to the DoD Discharge Appeal Review Board. To learn more about the DARB and how to apply for review, visit the DARB page located on the Air Force Review Board Agency website.

3. How do I replace lost awards and/or decorations?

To request a set of medals awarded during your service you will need to submit a Standard Form 180 requesting the re-issue of your medals. The NPRC will find your military records and forward to the branch of service that you served in. This process may take several months to a year to complete. The program only allows a one-time reissue of the medal.

If the request is by a family member the family member must meet specific requirements of the active duty component in which the veteran served. The next of kin may apply for the medals.

Mailing address - National Personnel Records Center
 1 Archives Drive
 St. Louis, MO 63138

Fax number - (314) 801-9195

For more information visit the National Personnel Records Center