If you don’t have a current one, request a copy of your complete service record.

Review your service record thoroughly for all schools, awards, copies of Permanent Change of Duty Station Orders and/or Active Duty for Training Orders, and documentation of Earned Retirement Points if you were ever a Selected Reservist.

Formally request any missing information you discover to be included in your record.  You’ll need to provide copies of everything you want added.  Hopefully, you’ve kept originals and/or copies of all your paperwork in your personal files at home.  Have your Administration personnel stamp them “Certified to be True Copy” for inclusion with your letter.  Do not send the originals!

Why do this exercise?  You will never have a better chance to clean up your service record than now while you’re still on active duty.  There are hundreds of reasons you may need proof of something in your record in the future.  Having an updated record is like having insurance and will give you peace of mind.

This is part of a complete step-by-step military retirement checklist. I’ll be posting weekly action steps here, so please subscribe over in the right-hand column so you’re sure to get each update.