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Regular Joe
 
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I'm about to commission here in a few weeks and seeing as my grandfather (retired SSgt, USMC) is going to be my first salute, I wanted to make and surprise him with a shadow box as a gift right after it. I have his SS#, but I cannot request his records as I am not the NOK and he is still alive. Also, they said it could take weeks to process the request and authorization paperwork.
I'm trying to get one of my relatives to pop by his house (he's in Cleveland and I'm in Columbus, OH) and snap a picture of his service charlie (OD Green dress) jacket for me so I can see which awards and qualifications he rates, but having no one else in the military in my family that understands half of the jargon or acronyms isn't helping.
Does anyone posting here currently serve in a Marine unit or know anyone in a records/HR type unit where they would be able to pull old records or have access to something like this?
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
"Back when I was Private Whitney and Christ was my team leader..." - 1SG Whitney
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Paratrooper
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Wish I had something constructive to offer, but I don't. However, if it's any consulation, I can tell you that even if you could request his records from St. Louis, it would in all probablity take several months to get them. It took me 8 months to get mine back in 2003. Either I screwed up the first request or they lost it, but I finally got them 3 months after the second request.
RJ 
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Stare Master
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I don't think anyone, even with access, could pull the records for you. While your intentions are first rate doing so without the proper releases would violate the Privacy Act and probably some other laws. I know that in Alabama they file the DD 214 of individuals in the Courthouse of the county a person makes his home of residence after the service. That would be public record and should give you the info you need. Check with some of your relatives and see if they can take a quick trip down to the local courthouse and ask them, or check with the local VA office in the county to see if they keep it on file and could provide you with a copy. Good luck.
Only two defining forces have ever offered to die for you, Jesus Christ and the American GI. One died for your soul, the other for your freedom.
"History teaches that when you become indifferent and lose the will to fight someone who has the will to fight will take over." COLONEL BULL SIMONS
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Regular Joe
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Thanks very much - I'll give that a whirl when I talk to someone back home tomorrow.
"Back when I was Private Whitney and Christ was my team leader..." - 1SG Whitney
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82nd_Raider
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| One suggestion would be to ask him for his DD-214. Although the surprise would be lost, the gift will bring manly tears to his eyes. Another thought is that I recall giving a copy of my DD-214 to the local county clerical office. If you know what county he was in when he got out, give them a call.
All the way, sir!!! 
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Regular Joe
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509Trooper (5/20/2007)
I don't think anyone, even with access, could pull the records for you. While your intentions are first rate doing so without the proper releases would violate the Privacy Act and probably some other laws. I know that in Alabama they file the DD 214 of individuals in the Courthouse of the county a person makes his home of residence after the service. That would be public record and should give you the info you need. Check with some of your relatives and see if they can take a quick trip down to the local courthouse and ask them, or check with the local VA office in the county to see if they keep it on file and could provide you with a copy. Good luck.
I don't have mine in front of me, but isn't the individual's SSN on a DD-214? How would I go about checking someone's, let's say a BIL whose claims are total BS, without the Courthouse giving out sensative information like social security number?
I lack people-skills.
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Regular Joe
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| quick sitrep... The family ended up BS'ing my grandfather a bit and managed to pull his DD-214 at his house. We told him we needed any info about his career for my commissioning ceremony since he's going to be my first salute. Anyway, a couple sets of Sgt patches and some ribbons are going to do the trick. I'm going to see what else I can find to spruce up the case a bit - possibly a flag flown outside my ROTC building, some EGA insignia and maybe a USMC Ka-Bar or something to top it off. I'll post a photo of it if I can get one after I finish it over the next week. Thanks again to everyone for all of your help and suggestions.
"Back when I was Private Whitney and Christ was my team leader..." - 1SG Whitney
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HH6/Resident Beerwench
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My dad received a flag from my husband's Air Base over in Astan they flew for him. He also received a flag flown over the Nation's capital on his birthday. Maybe you could look into that for your grandfather?
- "Hundreds of thousands of American servicemen and women are deployed across the world in the war on terror. By bringing hope to the oppressed, and delivering justice to the violent, they are making America more secure. "
George W. Bush
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