Well, people, it 'taint so. The military keeps track of folks who are currently active duty, and former military members who are retired, but that's pretty much it. Even if the people you are looking for are on active duty or retired, whether or not the military will release information they do have on file is dependent upon the circumstances.
So, what can you do to locate current or former members of the U.S. Military?
Active Duty and Retired
If the person you're trying to find is currently on active duty, and you know their rank, name, and where they are stationed, it's pretty easy. You can usually locate them with a simple phone call.
Call long distance information, and ask them to connect you to the Base Operator at the base in question. When the Base Operator comes on the line, ask to be connected to the Base Locator. The Base Locator can give you the duty phone number and duty address of any active duty person stationed on that base. Unless the individual has asked to keep the information private, the locator can also give you their home phone number and home address.
What if you don't know where they are stationed?
To date, only the Navy offers an active duty locator service online. This service is free of charge. However, personnel in sensitive positions and those overseas are not listed in the Navy locator.
To locate other active duty members (and retirees, in some cases), you need to contact the specific military services member locator service. Give as much identifying information as possible about the person you wish to locate such as full name, rank, last duty assignment/last known military address, service number, and Social Security number.
The locator service is free to immediate family members and government officials. Other family members, civilian friends, businesses and others may be required to pay a fee. If so, the check or money order must be made out to the "U.S. Treasury," and is not refundable.
U.S. Army: The Army has no phone locator service. It also will not help in the location of retirees. Inquiries should be mailed to:
Commander
U.S. Army Enlisted Records & Evaluation Center
ATTN: Locator
Fort Benjamin Harrison, IN 46249-5301
U.S. Navy: The Navy World Wide Locator helps locate individuals on active duty and those who have been recently discharged. The Navy also has a current address for retired Navy service members. Some addresses are protected under the provisions of the Privacy Act and cannot be released. Mail can be forwarded in those cases. You can call the locator service toll free at 1-877-414-5359 or commercial 1-901-874-3388, DSN 882-3388. Unless you are calling on official business or a family member, the fee for researching an address is $3.50 per address made payable by check or money order to the U.S. TREASURER. Fees are retained in cases resulting in an unsuccessful search. Mail your correspondence with your fee (if applicable) to:
Navy World Wide Locator
Navy Personnel Command
PERS 312F
5720 Integrity Drive
Millington, TN 38055-3120
U.S. Air Force: The Air Force can locate active duty personnel, as well as retirees, reservists and guardsmen. This information is not available for those who have separated from the Air Force or are Army Air Corps retirees. Information on individuals stationed overseas or in a sensitive position will not be released. However, the locator service will forward mail to that person for up to 90 days, as long as the correct postage is on the envelope and any required fee has been paid. Parents, spouses, and government officials may call 1-210-652-5774 for a recorded message or 1-210-652-5775 for non-recorded service.
HQ AFMPC/RMIQL
550 C Street, West, Suite 50
Randolph AFB, TX 78150-4752
