Where to search for a cadet record or a paratrooper record?

There are two places where you can search for cadet records or paratrooper records - The National Archives (Washington D.C.) or at The National Personnel Records Center (St. Louise, Missouri). If you need to get copies of cadet records or paratrooper records, you will need to complete, date and sign an official request form - standard form 180 for requesting military service records from The National Personnel Records Center and DD form 214 for getting copies of records from The National Archives.

What you need to know when planning a search for cadet or paratrooper records, is where to find the records in question as well as to make sure you have the authority to obtain the records.

Who can get copies of cadet records and paratrooper records?

Requesting records from The National Personnel Records Center can be done by the owner of the records, next of kin of the owner, authorized representative or a member of the general public. There might be records that can only be viewed by the owner, next of kin or an authorized representative but the majority of the records can be freely accessed by anyone interested. Getting copies of records kept by the National Archives follows the same rules in general. There are some restrictions however if you need to request records from the National Archives online. Currently only veterans or next of kin of deceased veterans are allowed to request records via the Internet.

Another option of getting public cadet records or paratrooper records is to use the services on an online public records database.