SF 180. Request Pertaining to Military Records

The SF 180 Request Pertaining to Military Records is a form used by veterans, their families, and authorized representatives to request information from military service records. The form consists of several parts, including personal information about the requester, the type of information being requested, and the reason for the request.

Important fields on the form include the requester's full name, social security number, and signature. The parties involved are the requester and the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC), which is responsible for maintaining military personnel records. When compiling the form, data such as the requester's personal information, the type of information being requested, and the reason for the request will be required. Any additional documents, such as proof of authorization or identification, may also be attached.

Application examples of the SF 180 form include when a veteran needs to obtain a copy of their discharge papers, or when a family member needs to obtain information about a deceased veteran's service. The benefits of using this form include the ability to access important information about military service records, which can be helpful for a variety of reasons, such as applying for benefits or researching family history. However, challenges and risks may arise if the requested information is incomplete or inaccurate.

Related forms to the SF 180 include the DD 214 Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty form, which is used to document a veteran's military service and is often requested along with the SF 180 form. An alternative form is the SF 181 Ethnicity and Race Identification form, which is used to collect data on the race and ethnicity of federal employees.

The SF 180 form affects the future of participants by providing access to important information about military service, which can be used for a variety of purposes, such as applying for benefits or researching family history. The form is submitted to the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) and can be mailed or faxed. The NPRC stores military personnel records for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and the U.S. Department of Defense.