How to Verify Military Service of an Inactive Member Easily

Serving in the Armed Forces provides many opportunities, such as healthcare, education benefits, and SCRA rights. Due to the attractive benefits granted to service members, some individuals may falsely claim military service. This article will outline methods that landlords and business owners can use to verify the military service of an inactive member.

Why Determining Active Duty Status Matters?

Active duty status provides access to many benefits, including free healthcare, education subsidies, and military discounts. While some benefits are available to both active members and veterans, certain benefits, such as those provided by the SCRA, require active duty status.

The SCRA can help manage one’s legal and financial obligations through interest rate reductions, protection from eviction, and other similar measures. However, to enjoy these benefits, a person should be actively rendering service. Inactive reserves aren’t given these benefits.

Requesting Military Personnel Records through the National Personnel Records Center

One of the simplest ways to confirm military status is by contacting the National Archives and Records Administration, specifically the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC), which is a centralized repository for all service branches.

You can ask for an official military personnel file through this organization. You can conduct this process online, via mail, or by visiting the NPRC. However, this method is exclusively available to service members and their next of kin. If you’re not a service member, you can request a military record if that person was discharged at least 62 years ago.

If you’re a landlord or business owner, you won’t be able to request an official military personnel file directly. This is in line with privacy laws, such as the Privacy Act and Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).

Getting Help from the DMDC

Another practical approach is to seek assistance from the Defense Manpower Data Center (DMDC), which maintains records of military members’ active duty status and discharge dates.

Moreover, the DMDC allows you to search a person’s records for free. However, when searching, you must know the military member’s social security number and birthday. If you don’t know these details, you’ll have difficulty getting information about the individual.

You’ll have to do more research to obtain the information necessary to conduct the search. This method might be time-consuming and frustrating if you have limited information about that person. Realistically, you won’t be given much time before you grant SCRA benefits to someone from the Air Force, National Guard, or Marine Corps.

Other Ways to Verify Military Service

You don’t need to head to federal agencies to obtain military records. You can explore other ways to obtain information about a person claiming to be a service member.

Ask the Person Directly

A genuine military member would likely know their permanent records or military orders by heart. They should feel comfortable sharing information from their enlistment contract since verifying their military service is necessary in order to obtain benefits.

Here are some practical questions you can ask to determine a person’s military service:

• How long did you serve in the military? You can also ask, “How long have you been in military service?”
• Are you from a military family?
• Why did you choose that particular service branch?
• Have you visited other countries as part of your deployment orders?
• What’s your favorite place to live based on the places you’ve been to during your military tenure?

These positive questions allow them to explain more about their active duty work. It also makes you appear that you’re genuinely interested in that individual. You should avoid sensitive questions, like if they’ve seen someone die in battle or how many kills they have.

Moreover, the way you ask for information should be cordial. They should understand why you’re asking them these questions, and you should be mindful of your tone. After all, no one would appreciate being accused of being a liar.

Use Social Media

Social media can be a useful tool for verifying someone’s military service history. With most people on at least one platform, you can often learn about a person’s background and professional life through their online presence.

If the person you’re looking into has a social media page, you can get a glimpse of what they do. There’s a chance they might have photos of their military life. If not, they might be tagged in posts proving their military affiliation.

Request from Veterans Organizations

Another resource to consider is veterans organizations. Although their members are typically discharged from the Armed Forces, they can assist in obtaining the necessary information. Some members may know the individual in question and can help you find reliable sources to verify their military status.

If you seek help from veteran organizations, you should consider the service branch from which that person claims to be. There’s a bigger chance you’d find someone from that person’s military circles if you look within their branch of service. If you have insight into where they’ve been stationed, that could be helpful, too.

Confirming Military Service through SCRACVS

If you need to confirm someone’s active duty status quickly, consider seeking assistance from SCRACVS. They can provide military service information in under 24 hours in some cases. You don’t need the person’s Social Security number to start your search, and you can track your inquiry online.

We also provide live support to make the search process more manageable. If you need evidence that someone is on active duty, we can help.

We offer name searches with results sent right to your email as well as affidavits, which are scanned and can be sent via regular mail or FedEx. If we can’t find information on that person, you can always opt for an Affidavit of Due Diligence which can be submitted in court hearings.

Final Words

Violating the SCRA can be costly, so it’s crucial to confirm a person’s active duty service. Although various options are available, time may not always be on your side. You need fast and reliable assistance. Click here to sign up at SCRAVS and verify the active duty status.

FAQs

How do you verify someone is not in the military?

You can explore various options, such as requesting their DD 214 from the NPRC, submitting a request to the DMDC, and asking that person for their military personnel records. Alternatively, you can get a verification from SCRACVS.

How can I verify if someone served in the military?

You can ask for that person’s DD Form 214 or discharge certificate. This document gives you an overview of their military history. However, you can explore methods like getting verification through SCRACVS.

How do you check military discharge status?

That person’s DD Form 214 would stipulate their discharge status. Alternatively, you can seek assistance from SCRACVS.

What is the difference between active and inactive military?

The period during which a person is not actively serving the Armed Forces is considered ‘inactive.’ However, that person is still available for military duty if their service branch requires it.