Military service documents are highly respected by the Department of Justice when establishing physical presence for a RECA claim. If a claimant was active in the military during the 1950s or 1960s, or if they filled out selective service records, these files often anchor their home address. Crucially, if a claimant was deployed overseas but maintained a legal "home of record" in an affected downwinder area, military files can bridge that timeline gap.
Be aware that a catastrophic fire at the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) in 1973 destroyed roughly 80% of Army personnel files for individuals discharged between 1912 and 1960, as well as 75% of Air Force files for discharges between 1947 and 1963. If the claimant's records were affected, the NPRC will attempt to reconstruct their service timeline using secondary records like payroll data or VA files.
Key Military Documents for RECA Evidence
Not every page in a military file establishes residency. When building a package, focus on pulling these specific forms:
- DD Form 214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge): This is the single most important document. It explicitly features a field for the veteran's "Home of Record at Time of Entry" and their mailing address at separation.
- WWII & Post-War Draft Cards (Selective Service): Registration cards required a precise physical address, signature, and date. Even if a claimant registered right before the downwinder window opens, it establishes their primary family domicile.
- Official Military Personnel Files (OMPF): The complete background file, which includes leave forms, family dependency allowances, and emergency contact updates that place a spouse or child at a specific address in an affected county.
How to Order Official Service Files
The vast majority of historical military records are held centrally by the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA).
1. Online Request via eVetRecs (Fastest Method)
Surviving family members or veterans can submit an electronic request through the National Archives system.
Digital Submission: Use the official portal at archives.gov/veterans to launch a request.
2. Mail-In Request via Standard Form 180 (SF-180)
If you prefer an offline approach or are requesting files for a deceased family member where complex proof of next-of-kin is required, you must download, print, and mail **Standard Form 180 (SF-180)** to:
National Personnel Records Center
(Military Personnel Records)
1 Archives Drive
St. Louis, MO 63138
Cost & Turnaround
- Cost: **$0.00** for veterans or immediate next-of-kin. There is no charge for routine processing of these records.
- Turnaround Time: Standard requests for a DD-214 generally take **2 to 4 weeks**. Full OMPF archival lookups can take **3 to 6 months** depending on if the record must be retrieved from deep storage or reconstructed due to the 1973 fire.