Guest Author - Jeff Valentine
Question of the Day: DO YOU HAVE A COPY OF YOUR MILITARY SERVICE RECORDS?
Some of us do, and some of us don’t. Some of us have our personnel jackets, others have our military medical records, some have copies of awards …some have all.
If you have a copy of all of your records in triplicate, you are good to go. If you don’t, I’m here to tell you to get them and real quick-like too.
THE REASON:
We’re talking about getting copies of your military records today because STUFF HAPPENS (…and I’m keeping it PG here, folks)
Natural disasters happen, building and warehouses burn, and digital transcription is only as good as the human running it. Human error prevails, and unless you have your own records on hand when you need them, you may find yourself in a tough spot.
A QUICK STORY:
I recently spoke to a friend who served 20+ years in the Navy, concluding with a tour in the Naval Reserve. We were talking about access to military records and the importance of maintaining them.
The records that she has are the only ones in existence. A few years back when Hurricane Katrina reared it’s ugly head, the facility where her records were stored was wiped off of the map. All records GONE FOREVER.
If she didn’t make copies of her records prior to leaving the service, her personnel and medical files wouldn’t exist for future reference.
LIFE HAPPENS:
Don’t leave anything about your military service to chance. In light of natural and manmade disasters (to include mistakes) it behooves you to get a new copy of your records if you have not already done so.
You should make a few copies once you receive them: One for your house, one for your safe or safe deposit box, and one for a family member.
…Because you never know when STUFF is going to happen. Learn from my Navy Veteran friend who almost lost her records forever. It pays to be prepared.
EASIER THAN EVER:
Now you can apply for your military records online, which makes the process a whole lot more streamlined than it used to be. A website has been set up, called “eVetRecs” to make the process easier. (Please visit the BellaOnline Veterans Forum for the website address.)
We all know that there is no time like the present. If you’ve been putting it off, now is the time to get copies of your service records …before they potentially float away forever!
This Article is OVER but not OUT! Please visit the Veterans Forum to continue the conversation and add to the community.
Feel free to email the Veterans Editor with questions, comments, or suggestions on this or any other article!
