eVetRecs Gets a Thumbs Up Published April 19, 2009 By Barbara Harbison 108th PA April 19, 2009 -- How often do you get to say that you are impressed with the service from a department in the federal government? I have to give a high five to eVetRecs, the new program launched by the National Archives to get records to veterans and next-of-kin of deceased veterans. The press release for the program crossed my desk on March 25. Veterans and next-of-kin of deceased veterans can request military records online through eVetRecs. When I read the release, I thought it was a great idea but wondered about how it would make anything easier. Government and easier are rarely synonymous. So I figured I would give it a test drive. That morning I clicked the button to "Request Military Records." I filled out the blocks asking about name, date of birth, address, branch, and all the pertinent data the researchers would need. I wondered about my request as the name on my DD 214 was different than the name I currently sport on my uniform - would that confuse them or cause them to kick it back? But my e-mail request went through and I was asked to print out a form, sign it and either fax it or mail it to them within 20 days of this request. I signed, walked down the hallway to the fax machine and zipped it off to St. Louis. Later in the day I received an e-mail telling me that they had received my fax. The e-mail stated, "We are pleased to inform you that the majority of these types of requests are serviced in ten business days or less. We service approximately 20,000 requests each week and continuously strive to successfully meet or surpass our response time goal on these types of requests." Skeptical? YES! I have heard horror stories over the years about requests for DD214s that have taken more than six months. How were they going to take care of my request in 10 business days? I am no longer a skeptic. On Friday, April 3, NINE days - SEVEN business days- after my request, I opened my mail box to find an envelope from the National Archives with copies of my DD Form 214 plus a copy of my NGB Form 22 from when I was discharged from the Pennsylvania Army National Guard prior to joining the New Jersey Air National Guard. Other records are available for request other than discharge documents. So kudos go out to the National Archives and their new program. While it is not for everyone - people requesting records of veterans who are not related to them or who are related but not next of kin must still file a Standard Form 180 - it is a great way to request records with quick results. Visit http://vetrecs.archives.gov/ to request your records.