Service record
Encyclopedia
A service record is a collection of either electronic or printed material which provides a documentary
history
of a person's activities and accomplishments while serving as a member of a given organization
. Service records are most often associated with the military
, but are commonly found in other groups, such as large corporations or for use by employees of a civilian government
.
are considered vital documents both for historical reasons and also to help secure veteran
benefits for discharged or retired service members. In addition, service records of the U.S. military provide a chronology of a service member's career and thus ensure accurate tracking of accomplishments, activities, and promotions.
Active duty U.S. military service records are maintained by the various branches of the U.S. armed forces. Retired and discharged service records are maintained at the Military Personnel Records Center
in St. Louis, Missouri
.
After 2005, most U.S. military service records are retained by the military branch since most such records are electronically stored.
Typical makeup of a United States military paper service record
are extensive and the record keeping ability of the Nazi Party was generally considered to be extremely meticulous. Service records of Nazi organizations are maintained at the Berlin Document Center, in Berlin, Germany, with several microfiche copies of these records available at the National Archives and Records Administration
in College Park, Maryland
.
Records of the Wehrmacht, that is the regular armed forces of Germany during World War II
, are maintained at the Bundesarchiv, also in Berlin
.
Documentary evidence
Documentary evidence is any evidence introduced at a trial in the form of documents. Although this term is most widely understood to mean writings on paper , the term actually include any media by which information can be preserved...
history
History
History is the discovery, collection, organization, and presentation of information about past events. History can also mean the period of time after writing was invented. Scholars who write about history are called historians...
of a person's activities and accomplishments while serving as a member of a given organization
Organization
An organization is a social group which distributes tasks for a collective goal. The word itself is derived from the Greek word organon, itself derived from the better-known word ergon - as we know `organ` - and it means a compartment for a particular job.There are a variety of legal types of...
. Service records are most often associated with the military
Military
A military is an organization authorized by its greater society to use lethal force, usually including use of weapons, in defending its country by combating actual or perceived threats. The military may have additional functions of use to its greater society, such as advancing a political agenda e.g...
, but are commonly found in other groups, such as large corporations or for use by employees of a civilian government
Government
Government refers to the legislators, administrators, and arbitrators in the administrative bureaucracy who control a state at a given time, and to the system of government by which they are organized...
.
Australian armed forces
World War I service records state on a series of cards, the dates when a soldier was in the field with his unit and document other changes; including promotions, transfers, embarkations, time at base, when and where sick, wounded, in hospital or clearing station, or at rest camp and etc. See also Statements of Service which cover similar information. These records are available at the National Archives of Australia web site (see link below).United States armed forces
Service records of the United States armed forcesUnited States armed forces
The United States Armed Forces are the military forces of the United States. They consist of the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, and Coast Guard.The United States has a strong tradition of civilian control of the military...
are considered vital documents both for historical reasons and also to help secure veteran
Veteran
A veteran is a person who has had long service or experience in a particular occupation or field; " A veteran of ..."...
benefits for discharged or retired service members. In addition, service records of the U.S. military provide a chronology of a service member's career and thus ensure accurate tracking of accomplishments, activities, and promotions.
Active duty U.S. military service records are maintained by the various branches of the U.S. armed forces. Retired and discharged service records are maintained at the Military Personnel Records Center
Military Personnel Records Center
The Military Personnel Records Center located at 9700 Page Avenue in St. Louis, Missouri, USA, is a branch of the National Personnel Records Center and is the repository of over 56 million military personnel records and medical records pertaining to retired, discharged, and deceased veterans of...
in St. Louis, Missouri
St. Louis, Missouri
St. Louis is an independent city on the eastern border of Missouri, United States. With a population of 319,294, it was the 58th-largest U.S. city at the 2010 U.S. Census. The Greater St...
.
After 2005, most U.S. military service records are retained by the military branch since most such records are electronically stored.
Typical makeup of a United States military paper service record
- DD Form 214DD Form 214The DD Form 214, officially DD Form 214 "Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty", but generally referred to as a "DD 214", is a document of the United States Department of Defense, issued upon a military service member's retirement, separation or discharge from active-duty...
- Master personnel folder (201 File201 fileA 201 file is set of documents maintained by the US government for members of the United States armed forces. 201 files usually contain documents describing the member's military and civilian education history. A 201 file may also contain personal information such as home of record, and awards...
, Service Record Book, AF Form 7, etc.) - Officer Qualification Record (OQR) (if commissioned)
- Evaluations and fitness reports
- Awards and citationsAwards and decorations of the United States militaryAwards and decorations of the United States Military are military decorations which recognize service and personal accomplishments while a member of the United States armed forces...
- Disciplinary data and court martial records
- Dependent and emergency contact records
- Clothing allowance and leave records
- Letters and various correspondence
- Security clearanceSecurity clearanceA security clearance is a status granted to individuals allowing them access to classified information, i.e., state secrets, or to restricted areas after completion of a thorough background check. The term "security clearance" is also sometimes used in private organizations that have a formal...
information - Reserve points and reserve service history (if applicable)
- Discharge Data
Nazi Germany
The records of Nazi GermanyNazi Germany
Nazi Germany , also known as the Third Reich , but officially called German Reich from 1933 to 1943 and Greater German Reich from 26 June 1943 onward, is the name commonly used to refer to the state of Germany from 1933 to 1945, when it was a totalitarian dictatorship ruled by...
are extensive and the record keeping ability of the Nazi Party was generally considered to be extremely meticulous. Service records of Nazi organizations are maintained at the Berlin Document Center, in Berlin, Germany, with several microfiche copies of these records available at the National Archives and Records Administration
National Archives and Records Administration
The National Archives and Records Administration is an independent agency of the United States government charged with preserving and documenting government and historical records and with increasing public access to those documents, which comprise the National Archives...
in College Park, Maryland
College Park, Maryland
College Park is a city in Prince George's County, Maryland, USA. The population was 30,413 at the 2010 census. It is best known as the home of the University of Maryland, College Park, and since 1994 the city has also been home to the "Archives II" facility of the U.S...
.
Records of the Wehrmacht, that is the regular armed forces of Germany during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, are maintained at the Bundesarchiv, also in Berlin
Berlin
Berlin is the capital city of Germany and is one of the 16 states of Germany. With a population of 3.45 million people, Berlin is Germany's largest city. It is the second most populous city proper and the seventh most populous urban area in the European Union...
.
See also
- OQROQR"OQR" refers to the Officers Qualification Record, NAVMC 123a, and is one of the best sources of information concerning US Marine Officers. It is similar to the enlisted Service Record Book with only minor differences. This "record presents a cumulative and concise summary of basic events in the...
- SRBSRBSRB may refer to:Places* Serbia, a country in Central/Southeastern Europe * Union of Russia and Belarus, a supranational entity* Srb, a village in CroatiaPeople and organizations...
- http://www.naa.gov.au/collection/explore/defence/service-records/army-wwi.aspx