Military status is a service where a group or an individual in an army, whether as a result of an involuntary draft or as a volunteer. Some nations like Mexico require a particular amount of military service from every citizen, except for special cases like religious beliefs or physical and mental disorders. Most countries that use involuntary drafts only enlist men while only few countries enlist women. For instance, countries such as Norway, Israel and North Korea enlist both men and women. Unfortunately, only Norway has a gender-neutral involuntary draft system, where both men and women are drafted and served equally in terms.
How to Check Your Military Status
If you’re in the lending or banking industries – or any industry that often does business with military personnel, you must search for military status records frequently.
When you have clients or customers who are in the military service, it’s very crucial to adjust your business with them in order to comply with the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act Centralized Verification Service (SCRACVS).
You may submit a request to check military status or claim your records through the milConnect website. Once you have signed in to milConnect, you may follow the steps to submit a request for your military records.
- From your homepage, sign in and tap on Correspondence/Documentation. After that, click Defense Personnel Records Information (DPRIS) from the menu.
- Select the Personnel File tab.
- Choose Request My Personnel File.
- After filling out the form, tick the boxes next to the document/s you’d like to request in the Document Index section.
- Click on the Create and Send Request button.
Also, you may request your military status in some of these ways:
- Write a letter to the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) and send it to: 1 Archives Drive, St. Louis, Missouri 63138.
- Visit the NPRC personally.
- Hire an independent researcher.
- Fax or mail a Request Pertaining to Military Records (Standard Form SF 180) to the NPRC.
If you’re the next in line of a Veteran who passed away:
You can be considered the next in line if you’re somehow related to the Veteran in some of these ways:
- Parent;
- Child;
- Sibling or,
- Surviving spouse who hasn’t remarried
You may also request a copy of the Veteran’s military records in any of the following:
- Fax or mail a Request Pertaining to Military Records (Standard Form S180) to the NPRC.
- You may visit the NPRC in person or write a letter to the NPRC and send it to: 1 Archives Drive, St. Louis, Missouri 63138.
If you’re a family member planning a burial for a veteran in a national cemetery: You may call the National Cemetery Scheduling Office at 800-535-1117. They can also help you get the Veteran’s DD214 or any other discharging documents you might need. You can also get information here on planning a burial for a Veteran or a family member.
If you’re not the next of Kin of the Veteran:
- If the Veteran was discharged less than 62 years ago, you’re allowed to order a copy of their military records. 62 years after discharge, the National Archives opens all records for the public. Check here to learn on how to access archived records.
- If the Veteran was discharged more than 62 years ago, you can request limited information from their Military Personnel File. Check here to find out about getting public access to military records.
What Knowledge Does Military Status Give You
- Leadership
Regardless if you were in charge of a small squad or went up the ranks, the military gave you leadership skills which are uniquely-designed in many civilian roles. Every field, be it business or education, gets advantage from a leader who leads by example, motivates their team to complete their job, and is confident.
- Effective Communication
Most workplaces are a boiling kettle of personalities, which may usually lead to fights or unproductive deeds. Luckily, individuals from the military are trained to communicate efficiently and respectfully. The communication skills you’ve received in the military will help you advance in leadership roles and help you in any position as well. You will be able to communicate efficiently together with your team in a way that benefits everyone in working with their best abilities.
- Teamwork
With many qualified individuals entering the corporate world each year, there is a big difference between individual and group/team talent. Unfortunately, some bright individuals cannot adapt in a team setting which is required for a company’s workflow. Your serving time in the military has forced you to learn on how to adapt and work with different types of personalities. You know when to follow and when to lead and support. This skill is critically important that keeps business running smoothly.
- Quick to Adapt
Due to the increase of competitiveness in the global market and rapid growth of technology, companies must be ready to shift priorities with a blink of an eye to stay relevant. It is fortunate that your time in the military has served you well and taught you to do the same thing. You’re ready to adapt to new environments and situations. In a career perspective, this skill is critically important so that you will stay consistent ahead of the trends among others.
- Problem-Solving
In the military, not every mission goes exactly as planned. With this, you’re more likely to identify solutions quickly and think on your feet as problems arise. This same situation is valued in companies as well, as one mistake could cost a business thousands. Hiring managers are always looking for professionals who can easily identify solutions before they take place to save money, time and resources. You can include examples of your successful problem-solving situations in your time of service to stand out to employers.
- Ability To Perform Under Pressure
A strict deadline won’t be hard for you after serving your military which works at your advantage in the corporate industry. You’ll surely stand out from your competitors in trying times, able to present your work regardless of the stress. The ability to successfully lead a team in times of crisis is critically important to add to your applications.
- Integrity
After leaving the military, employers will likely perceive to have an honor to you, which will surely work to your advantage. Sixty-five percent of employers agree that they will be much more likely to hire a veteran rather than a qualified candidate because of a veteran’s integrity. Hiring and recruiting talent requires 100% effort for companies, so it makes sense that they would prefer spending energy, money and time onboarding someone they already believe to be reliable and trustworthy.
Your time of service in the military surely shaped who you are now, but that’s not the only thing that defines you. You have the power in your hands to create a future you desire.
