How can you recover your records to join as prior service if your records are lost?

2021-03-16T12:30:06-04:00

i got out of the national guard in 2015, i wanted to go back in but air guard this time around 2017 the recruiter requested sf180 form and nothing came back, he said there was no records coming back. I ended up going to my old unit to see what i can do, they told me they dont keep the records. now 2021 im trying to reenlist and im having the same trouble i looked on iperms and i have 0 docs says im an e1 no mos. i need my last pt test as i got an re-3 code so my recruiter is asking for it. any guidance will be appreciated.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 16 at 2021 1:07 PM

2021-03-16T13:07:22-04:00

There is no way the Nation Archives have nothing on you. I submitted an SF180 for documents going back to 1993. And I received said documents. You can try submitting an SF180 yourself and you can also try to contact the National Guard Bureau for the state you were in for.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 16 at 2021 1:37 PM

2021-03-16T13:37:13-04:00

Your NG should have a records manager that deals with this sort of thing, they're typically located at the same armory or military reserve that your headquarters element is at. I would try locating that office, there should be an NCOIC and possibly some civilian staff that work there that should be able to direct you.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 16 at 2021 2:09 PM

2021-03-16T14:09:49-04:00

Bypass your old unit. They don't keep that stuff but your State's G1/J1 should have something. That's their job.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 16 at 2021 2:18 PM

2021-03-16T14:18:53-04:00

I have only seen this once and it was before the digital era. The Army had to recreate the record. The Soldier had to bring in his contract showing that he was in the Army. It is pretty rare. But with that being said with an RE-3 code I don't think it will help much. We often see many people ask about joining with an RE-3. I can't say I have heard of anyone having success with it.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 16 at 2021 2:33 PM

2021-03-16T14:33:20-04:00

Can you still access AKO?
I know like 2 years after I got out of the Marines I could still get on MOL, that’s how I got all my stuff for the Army

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 16 at 2021 4:23 PM

2021-03-16T16:23:11-04:00

Did you graduate basic and AIT? Were you MOS qualified?

Response by CPT Lawrence Cable made Mar 16 at 2021 6:51 PM

2021-03-16T18:51:06-04:00

Check with your state headquarters in the state that you served. The Personnel Section should be able to access them, or tell you where you can access them. I had to dig up some 10+ records and found out that mine had been archived. I was able to get copies of everything that I didn't have already.

You are going to hear this a bunch, keep copies of all your contracts, orders, awards, etc.

Response by MAJ Ron Peery made Mar 17 at 2021 10:18 AM

2021-03-17T10:18:00-04:00

I kept every document I ever received, fortunately. The Army and the NGB lost my file multiple times, but I was able to rebuild it. The Army if not infallible. If you get past this, be obsessive about getting and keeping all your professional documents. Sorry you have this problem. Learn from it.