Department of defense manpower data center military search

You’ll need to call the Defense Manpower Data Center (DMDC) support office. They’ll tell you what documents to provide and what to do next. 

Call the DMDC at 800-538-9552. They’re open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. (closed on federal holidays). If you have hearing loss, call TTY: 866-363-2883.

If you’re a Veteran or family member and you’ve changed your legal name, you must update your name in DEERS. This keeps you eligible for military benefits like TRICARE—and any VA benefits you receive.

Note: DEERS is the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System. It’s maintained by the Department of Defense.

  • Defense.gov

    Home page for DOD, includes today's top news

  • Defense Advisory Committee on Women in the Services (DACOWITS)

    The Committee provides recommendations relevant to the optimum utilization of women in America's armed forces and on quality of life issues impacting the mission readiness of our military women.

  • Defense Manpower Data Center (DMDC)

    DMDC collects and reports on personnel, manpower and other data for the Department of Defense. Some of their statistics and reports are available to the public, others require a login. The library can not obtain access for you, however, points of contact for access are listed on the site.

  • Defense Market Research Executive Notes (DMREN)

    Sponsored by Dept. of Defense Joint Advertising Market Reserach and Studies (JAMRS) Program. Includes current and archived military recruiting research. Registration required.

  • Military and Civilian Personnel Statistics (DMDC)

    From Defense Manpower Data Center. Links to a variety of DOD military and civilian personnel current and historical statistical reports. Also includes data on active duty deaths and a glossary of DOD workforce terms.

  • Occupational Database

    From Defense Manpower Data Center. You will need to request a password.

  • Office of the Actuary

    Provides actuarial expertise on all matters relating to military compensation and benefits. Links to their Statistical Reports on the Military Retirement System.

  • Population Representation in the Military Services

    1997 forward. Recent and historical personnel trends in the Department of Defense services and the U.S. Coast Guard. It describes demographic characteristics of applicants, accessions, enlisted personnel, and officers and includes information on the socioeconomic characteristics of those accessed into the military.

  • Quadrennial Defense Review (2014)

    Reviews US defense strategy and programs including force structure, infrastructure, readiness, intelligence, modernization and people.
    The library owns prior editions of this document in print:
    GENERAL BOOK UA23.3 R46 1997

  • Quadrennial Review of Military Compensation (QRMC)

    The QRMC is completed every four years and focuses on various aspects of military compensation as established by the President. This site links to the 9th-11th QRMCs and the Supporting Research Papers for the 11th.

Military and Veterans

  • Join the Military
  • Locate Military Members, Units, and Facilities
  • Military and Veterans Education Benefits
  • Military Pay and Pensions
  • Military Programs and Benefits
  • Military Records and Identification
  • Selective Service (the Draft)
  • Veterans Burial and Survivor Benefits
  • Veterans Health Benefits and Issues
  • Veterans Housing Help
  • Veterans Jobs and Training

Answers to common questions about IDs and how to change or request military records.

On This Page

  • Request Military Records
  • Get a Military or Veteran Identification (ID) Card
  • Correct a Military Service Record or Discharge

Request Military Records

Military records help prove military service when applying for jobs or government benefits. They’re also helpful for ancestry and historical research.

Most military records are on paper or microfilm and you’ll need to request printed copies to be mailed to you. They are not typically available to view online.

Types of Military Records

World War I - Present

You can find veterans’ military service records from World War I to the present from the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC). The NPRC houses many types of records, including Official Military Personnel Files (OMPF). These files can include the Report of Separation (DD Form 214) and show a veteran’s service history, which may include:

  • Enlistment or appointment and separation dates

  • Duty stations and assignments

  • Training and qualifications

  • Awards

  • Disciplinary actions

Veterans’ health and medical records are located in various places, depending on their branch and date of separation. See this chart of locations of veterans’ medical and health records.

Before World War I

You can find older military service records (generally before World War I) from the National Archives in Washington, D.C. 

Request Recent Military Records (World War I - Present)

If You Are a Veteran or Next-of-Kin

To get a copy of the vet’s military records, you can:

  • Start a request online (then print and mail)

  • Mail or fax a Standard Form 180 (SF-180) or a letter

Most requests are free.

If You Are Not the Veteran or Next-of-Kin

You can only get limited information about non-archival records without the consent of the veteran or next-of-kin. Non-archival records are those from 62 years ago to the present. Learn about access to non-archival military records by the general public and researchers.

Request Older Military Records (Before World War I)

You can order older military personnel records online or with a downloadable form. You may have to pay a fee for copies of archival Official Military Personnel Files, including those of veterans discharged more than 62 years ago.

Check the Status of Your Military Records Request

To check the status of your order for recent records (World War I - Present), contact the National Personnel Records Center. For older military records (generally before 1917), contact the National Archives.

Get a Military or Veteran Identification (ID) Card

Military identification (ID) cards are U.S. government property for use only by the issued card holder.

Get or Replace a Military ID Card

  • Use the ID Card Office Locator to find an ID card office near you. Be sure to check a location's details or call that office to verify ID card issuing hours. Some offices allow or require you to make an appointment.

  • Be sure to bring the required identification documents to the ID Card office.

Report a Lost or Stolen ID Card

  • If you are a military member, report lost or stolen cards to your base security officer or through your chain of command.

  • If you find a military ID card, return it to the nearest ID card office.

  • Or, mail it to:

CMC Consumables Team
Defense Manpower Data Center
2102 E 21st Street N
Wichita, Kansas 67214

Veteran Identification Card (VIC) 

A VIC is a veteran photo ID card that you can use to get veterans discounts, which many restaurants and businesses offer.

  • To be eligible, you must have received an honorable or general discharge (under honorable conditions).

  • To learn more about the card and how to apply, visit this VA.gov page. 

  • If you already have a Veteran Health Identification Card, you do not need a VIC card.

Veteran Health Identification Card (VHIC)

The Veteran Health Identification Card is for use at Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) medical facilities. If you're enrolled in VA health care, you'll receive one.

Correct a Military Service Record or Discharge

As a veteran, you can request changes to your military record or discharge. You can also request changes if you are the

  • Surviving spouse
  • Next of kin
  • Legal representative of a deceased or incompetent veteran
     

DOD Forms for Requesting Changes

  • For changes to a discharge, use DD Form 293 (PDF, Download Adobe Reader) 
  • For changes to a service record, submit DD Form 149 (PDF, Download Adobe Reader)
     

More Information from the Services 

For more information and where to send your completed DOD form, visit:

  • Air Force Personnel Center 
    • Scroll to Records Correction for information about changes to service records and discharges
       
  • Army Board for Correction of Military Records
  • Army Discharge Review Board
     
  • Board for Corrections of Naval Records (Navy and Marine Corps) 
  • Naval Discharge Review Board (Navy and Marine Corps) 
     
  • Board for Correction of Military Records of the Coast Guard
  • Coast Guard Discharge Review Board

Last Updated: June 21, 2022

Top

How can you find out if someone is active duty military?

Please use the Defense Manpower Data Center's (DMDC) Military Verification service to verify if someone is in the military. The website will tell you if the person is currently serving in the military. The site is available 24-hours a day.

Is there a way to verify military orders?

Unfortunately, there have been instances of military members using fake military orders to break their lease when it suits them. To verify orders, there should be a unit letterhead at the top and a point of contact number at the bottom which can be contacted to verify.

Where is the Defense Manpower Data Center located?

This data catalogues the history of personnel in the military and their family for purposes of healthcare, retirement funding and other administrative needs. It has offices in Seaside, California and Alexandria, Virginia.

How do employers verify military service?

The DD-214 is the most reliable documentation employers can secure and review regarding military discharge information. If using a background check provider, Form DD-214 is considered a record that falls under the requirements of the Fair Credit Reporting Act (15 U.S.C.