Where can one request official U.S. Army award orders or military personnel records (DD-214/ORF) through FOIA or National Archives?

1. Where the official repository lives and how to submit a request

The National Archives is the official federal repository for discharged service members’ personnel records and DD Form 214s and provides multiple submission paths — online via its veterans records portal, by mail or by fax — for veterans and eligible requesters ^{[1] [2] [6]}. The NPRC in St. Louis holds OMPFs and separation documents and is the primary office referenced for submitting SF-180 forms or using the online request tools ^{[4] [2]}.

2. The paperwork: SF-180, online forms and alternatives

The standardized route to request military records is the Standard Form 180 (SF-180), which is used to obtain DD-214s, OMPFs, medical records and related documents; the SF-180 instruction sheet describes release rules and archival considerations and is available through DoD/DFAS guidance and NARA resources ^{[7] [1]}. NARA’s DD-214 guidance and dedicated pages explain how to request replacement discharge papers and other separation documents, reinforcing SF-180 as the conventional instrument for these requests ^[2].

3. FOIA, Privacy Act and who can see what

Access is governed by a balance between the Freedom of Information Act and the Privacy Act: records less than 62 years old are treated as non‑archival and releaseable information depends on whether the requester is the veteran, next-of-kin, has written authorization, or is a general public requester using FOIA ^[3]. NARA explicitly notes that veterans or next-of-kin can authorize releases of otherwise non‑public information, while general public requests are limited to information releasable under FOIA redaction rules ^[3].

4. Army-specific avenues and when to contact personnel commands

For Army service members and veterans the Army Human Resources Command (HRC) provides guidance and points to NPRC as the location of archived records; HRC instructions specifically direct requesters to submit a signed SF-180 and provide the NPRC address for personnel records ^[4]. Service members discharged after certain dates may also find some records accessible through service portals or via their personnel command, and the VA will request DD-214s on behalf of claimants applying for benefits ^{[5] [4]}.

5. Emergency requests, timelines and third-party services

NARA offers an emergency request process for urgent needs such as funeral or burial benefits, and publishers and law firms reference those expedited guidelines for time-sensitive situations ^{[1] [8]}. While most basic copies for veterans, next-of-kin and authorized representatives are free, some private companies advertise paid DD-214 retrieval services — NARA cautions that such companies charge fees for services that individuals can often do themselves through official channels ^{[1] [9]}.

6. FOIA submissions for DoD records and other routes

When records fall under DoD FOIA jurisdiction rather than NARA custodianship — for example certain investigative or inspector general holdings — the DoD Inspector General and service FOIA offices provide submission portals and guidance; the DoD OIG maintains a FOIA submission page for DoD-related requests ^[10]. Requesters should determine whether the sought document is archival at NARA or remains a DoD record, because the right office and process affect access, exemptions and timelines ^{[3] [10]}.

Conclusion

The practical course is clear: use NARA’s veterans’ pages and the SF-180 to request DD-214s and OMPFs, involve the Army HRC or personnel command for active or recent service issues, rely on VA channels when pursuing benefits, and use FOIA only when records are DoD‑held or when public FOIA requests are required — all while recognizing privacy protections and authorization rules that limit what the general public can obtain without veteran consent ^{[1] [2] [3] [5] [4]}.