Military Records: Active Servicemen's Non-Archived Files
In the legal custody of the armed services, the Official Military Personnel Files (OMPFs) remain a valuable resource for both veterans and historical researchers. These files, however, are subject to privacy protections and access is limited.
The Navy, Army, Coast Guard, and Marine Corps each have non-archival OMPFs that concern officers and enlisted personnel with discharge dates up to specific years. The Navy's non-archival OMPFs are for personnel discharged up to December 31, 1994, the Army's up to September 30, 2002, the Coast Guard's up to September 30, 2006, and the Marine Corps' up to December 31, 1998.
Access to these non-archival OMPFs is restricted. Only veterans themselves or their next-of-kin may request copies before the 62-year period lapses. The National Archives at St. Louis provides access only to military records of veterans discharged 62 years ago or more from the current date.
For veterans discharged less than 62 years ago, the OMPFs remain restricted and are not open for public access. After 62 years post-discharge, these files become archival and open for public research at National Archives facilities such as the one in St. Louis.
It is important to note that the Air Force was affected by a fire in 1973, which resulted in the loss of approximately 16-18 million OMPFs for personnel discharged between September 25, 1947, and January 1, 1964 (with names alphabetically after Hubbard, James E.), representing an estimated loss of 75% of records.
For veterans or their authorized representatives seeking access to their OMPFs, copies of DD-214 (discharge papers), which are part of the OMPF, can be requested through specific government online portals. However, full access to the personnel files themselves remains controlled.
For more information on requesting copies of older military service records, the 1973 fire, its impact on records, and alternate sources for basic service information, please visit our dedicated resources. For details on the location of military service records, Official Military Personnel Files (OMPFs), and Health and Medical Records, you can find it here.
Active Military, Inactive Reserves, or National Guard personnel records are not maintained by the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC). Older military personnel records, generally prior to WWI depending on the service branch, are on file at the National Archives and Records Administration, Old Military and Civil Records Branch, Washington, DC 20408.
The OMPF refers to Official Military Personnel Files. For more information on the records location table, please visit our dedicated resources. Military personnel records are open to the public 62 years after the service member's separation from the military, calculated by taking the current year and subtracting 62.
This policy balances individual privacy rights under the Privacy Act with historical research interests. Non-archival OMPFs are managed by the NPRC under FOIA request, but typically only accessible after the 62-year restriction period unless requested by the veteran or next-of-kin.
The restrictions on access to non-archival OMPFs mean that only veterans themselves or their next-of-kin may request copies before the 62-year period lapses, implying a limitation in business transactions related to these records within the finance industry.
After 62 years post-discharge, these files become archival and open for public research at National Archives facilities, signifying an opportunity for business ventures in the industry and finance, especially for historical researchers and veterans' advocacy groups.
