Most of you expect the Federal government to have copies of your military records... And they do, or, in many cases, DID.  Nearly all military personnel records are kept at the Military Personnel Records Center in St. Louis, MO. However, in July of 1973, there was a fire at the Records Center which destroyed 75% of the Air Force records for vets who were discharged between September 25, 1947 and January 1, 1964.  That’s most of you.  Specifically, it should involve only vets with names alphabetically after "Hubbard, James E".  However, this is not an absolute.  A lot of records before "Hubbard" were also lost or damaged.

     It is highly recommended that you contact the Records Center and request ALL of your records.  "All" means everything available, including health, medical and personnel records.  You’ll need to submit this request on a specific form, SF180. This form can be easily downloaded and printed from their site, reachable from the link below.   Adobe Acrobat Reader software is required in order to properly display and print these forms.  If you don't have it, a free version is available by following the link on the Records Center web site.   Be sure to print both sides of the form.  The back contains mailing information that will apply to your request.

     If you are a veteran or next-of-kin of a deceased veteran (this is not applicable for anyone else), the easiest way to apply for your records is to use the new on-line application.  At the end of the application, you will need to print out a "signature verification" page and either mail or fax it to the Military Personnel Records Center.  This is because Federal law requires that all requests for records and information be submitted in writing and each request must be signed and dated by the veteran or next of kin.  To use this feature, click on the following link and follow the instructions;