Find Military Records With These Free Research Tools

If you've ever served in a branch of the United States military and would like to look up someone that you served with, then this list of free military people search databases is for you.

Or, maybe you're trying to find out if someone you know has enlisted in the Army or if they were in the Navy. There are plenty of free military people search tools you can use to find both active and veteran military personnel.

Military Record Search Tools

• The Vietnam War Era POW/MIA List: Locate basic details on which US personnel have been accounted for (escapees, returnees, remains recovered) and get a list of those who are unaccounted for (missing in action, killed in action, body not recovered). Results are updated weekly and separated by state/territory.
• GI Search: This is more of a social network for military members, but it still serves as a great way to run a free military person search. There are over 100,000 users and several ways to run the search to find the specific person you're looking for.
• Together We Served: Similar to GI Search, but with over 2 million members, join to locate US military veteran members.
• Veterans' Service Records: Archives.gov lets you find a veteran by obtaining free copies of their DD Form 214 and other military service records like their OMPF and medical records. However, you most likely need to be their next of kin to get this information.
• USA.gov Military Members Locator Services: Links and a phone number for contacting a service member in an emergency. Make sure you have as much information as possible before using this service. You can do this by phone, an online form, or an app.
• The American War Library: With over 100 million military listings of active and former members spanning from present day to 1988, this records search tool is advertised as the world's oldest and largest military, veteran, and military family registry.
• Shipmate Search: Send an email to the address at the bottom of this page to post a public message asking viewers about any information they might have about a member of a ship's crew that you're wanting more information about.

Other People Search Tools

Other people finders exist, too, that might not be focused on showing military information but could still provide it.

For example, one website might be centered around providing general details about someone—like their phone number, house address, email, etc.—but the information might also include past accomplishments, death records, or work history, any of which might include military background information.

• Genealogy Websites: Close and extended family members of the person in the military might have included that information in a family tree service. Ancestry's Military Records is one example.
• Free People Search Websites: Dozens of services exist that can pull up public information on anyone, which can help you see if someone used to be in the military or if they're currently enlisted.
• Find a Grave: If the person has passed away, you can most likely find them here at the world's largest grave site collection. With over 200 million listings, you're bound to locate them here. Depending on the headstone and other details, you could learn about the person's military history.