How To Access Your Coast Guard Military Records: A Straightforward Guide

The rights provided by the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA) can be some of the most attractive benefits of military work. Your military service as a Coast Guard member can open many doors, including free healthcare and education benefits.

However, to unlock these opportunities, you need your military records or official military personnel file (OMPF). How can you obtain your OMPF or a legal equivalent? We’ll discuss how to get access to your records today.

What’s in Your Coast Guard Military Human Resources Records?

What can you expect in your Coast Guard Military Human Resources Records (CGMHRR)? This official document records your career, helps you with legal requirements, and allows you to account for Human Capital Management (HCM) transactions.

Your CGMHRR is divided into three separate records:

  1. The Servicing Personnel Office (SPO) Personnel Data Record (PDR) is under the care of one’s assigned SPO. This file has several documents about one’s career and functions as one’s source to justify benefits and pay.
  2. The UNIT PDR is taken care of by one’s Unit. If the mission is too long and far, these records will work as one’s SPO PDR ‘working copy.’
  3. The Electronically Imaged (EI) PDR is stored electronically and functions as one’s Official Military Personnel File (OMPF).

Where are Coast Guard Records Kept?

Where your military or medical records are kept depends on when you are separated from the Coast Guard. If you left the service branch before October 1, 2006, your records can be found at the National Personnel Records Center of the National Archives.

If you were discharged on or after October 1, 2006, you can refer to iPERMS, the interactive Personnel Electronic Records Management System. You can also use your MilConnect account.

Accessing Coast Guard Military Human Resources Records Online

The information retrieval system has gone digital, so you don’t have to go to a National Archives site in person to access your records. Because these records contain sensitive information, they’re exclusively available to the service members and their next of kin. Only records of those discharged at least 62 years ago are available publicly. The Information Act allows service members to safeguard their privacy.

If you’re qualified to access these records, you can go to the iPERMS or MilConnect and complete a standard form. You can access your documents for free. However, you’re required to supply pertinent information regarding your military details.

Requesting Your Official Military Personnel File

hand using a laptop computer with a virtual screen and document

Fortunately, you don’t need to physically head to the National Archives to request your official military personnel file since you can access the file online or ask for it via fax or snail mail. You must provide essential information to obtain your file without any complications.

The most convenient method to request these files is online, mainly through the iPERMS or MilConnect websites. As long as you have essential information, you’ll have access to all the documents you need wherever you are.

Unlocking SCRA Benefits with Military Records

Like the Air Force and other service members, Coast Guard service members can access plenty of military benefits. These include free healthcare, allowances, and military discounts at select establishments.

The Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA) gives some practical benefits that can help service members focus on their service. This federal law grants you financial and legal protections under certain circumstances.

The SCRA offers protections such as the ability to postpone civil proceedings, an interest rate cap on pre-service debt, and the freedom to choose one’s domicile for tax purposes. However, you must prove you’re on active duty to unlock these benefits.

Conclusion

Your military service records can help you access the many benefits of military service, including SCRA protections. However, you need to prove your eligibility for these benefits.

Fortunately, SCRACVS is here to help guard members quickly obtain proof of active duty service. We can help you provide evidence of your active duty status in as fast as one business day. Click here to sign up at SCRAVS and verify the active duty status.

FAQs

How to see if someone was in the Coast Guard?

Only service members are granted access to their official military personnel file. However, anyone with basic information on a member can seek assistance from SCRACVS.

Can you look up Coast Guard documentation?

Official documents are exclusively available to the service members and their next of kin. However, anyone with essential information can determine one’s military status through SCRACVS.

Do guard members get a DD214?

If the guard members pass the 30-day consecutive service requirement, they can get a DD214. Signing up for this military branch doesn’t automatically grant you this official military file.

Is the US Coast Guard considered military?

Yes, it is considered a military branch, and it’s the only one under the jurisdiction of the Department of Homeland Security.

Does Coast Guard documentation expire?

Yes, you must renew your documents yearly to remain active. The National Vessel Documentation Center’s website allows you to renew this online.

Are guard members considered veterans?

Guard members are only considered veterans if they rendered active duty service as mandated by the United States president. Moreover, they must have served in the branch for a certain period to unlock military benefits.

Attorney Roy Kaufmann serves as the Director of the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act Centralized Verification Service, located in Washington, D.C. As a recognized authority on the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act, Mr. Kaufmann has published hundreds of articles and hosted many webinars. His teachings help law firms and businesses to remain compliant with the SCRA rules and regulations so as to avoid costly fines.