Archive Records and Personal Indexes for Reference
The National Archives has compiled an extensive catalog of its military-related records, offering a wealth of information beyond the personal service details found in Official Military Personnel Files (OMPFs). This catalog, known as the National Archives catalog for non-OMPF Archival Records Series, houses a variety of records that document aspects of military service and support activities not contained in the individual personnel files.
One of the collections included in this series is the Chaplain Files, which contain records related to military chaplains’ service, including their assignments, activities, and correspondence. Another significant collection is the Civilian Personnel Files, which document the employment history and roles of civilians employed by the military.
A particularly noteworthy record series is the Tan Son Nhut Mortuary Records, which document the handling of deceased military personnel at the Tan Son Nhut Air Base during the Vietnam War era. These records provide valuable insights into mortuary affairs during this period.
In addition to these collections, the catalog also includes records such as Auxiliary military records, Alien's Personal History and Statement records, Army Rosters, and the Official Military Personnel Files for the U.S. Marine Corps.
These non-OMPF series offer a broader perspective on military history, providing information about religious support, civilian employment, and mortuary services, among other topics. Accessing these records typically involves searching the National Archives catalog or making requests through their research services. While OMPFs are requested using Standard Form 180 for individual service members’ files, non-OMPF series require separate catalog searches or inquiries with the National Archives archives specialists.
For those interested in delving deeper into these records, the catalog provides a guide to the Non OMPF Archival Records Series. The National Archives' website also offers additional descriptions of its collections outside of the catalog.
In summary, the National Archives' non-OMPF Archival Records Series offers a valuable resource for researchers, historians, and family members seeking to understand various aspects of military history that may not be covered in individual personnel files. By exploring these collections, one can gain a more comprehensive understanding of the broader military support and administrative functions throughout history.
Data-and-cloud-computing can be used to search and access the extensive National Archives catalog, facilitating the learning process for those interested in military history. This technology is essential for self-development and education-and-self-development, as it allows users to delve deeper into various aspects of military history, such as religious support, civilian employment, and mortuary services, which are not contained in individual personnel files.
