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MNG-002 · START HERE & SYSTEM MAP

Build Your Military Life File

Build and preserve a durable Military Life File with identity, service, pay, medical, family, claims, decisions, and source records.

Create one chronology, not one giant folder

Maintain a dated index showing entry, orders, assignments, training, deployments, pay events, medical events, family changes, claims, decisions, separation, retirement, veteran benefits, and survivor events. Link each event to the record that proves it.

Core file sections

  • Identity and eligibility
  • Enlistment/commissioning and oath
  • Orders, assignments, duty status and deployments
  • Training, qualifications and awards
  • Pay, allowances, travel and tax records
  • Medical, dental, injury and disability records
  • Family, dependency and beneficiary records
  • Legal and administrative actions
  • Separation, DD-214 and retirement records
  • VA and other benefit applications, evidence, decisions and reviews
  • Death, casualty and survivor records

Preservation standard

  1. Keep the original or best available source file unchanged.
  2. Save a working copy separately from the source.
  3. Record creator, date, subject, repository, file name, and what the record establishes.
  4. Preserve submission receipts and decision notices together.
  5. Export records before CAC, email, portal, or account access changes.
  6. Keep sensitive medical, financial, identity and family records in protected storage with a separate backup.

NARA advises that service records may include separation documents, OMPF materials, and medical records, but custody and access depend on service period and record status. Your personal file should therefore supplement—not replace—the official record.

Official sources

Source status: SRC-003; SRC-013; SRC-023 Verified October 4, 2026. Recheck the controlling office, form edition, and instructions before a deadline-sensitive filing.