The War on Terrorism

The U.S. Army established the Disabled Soldier Support System (DS3), a comprehensive advocacy program to help severely disabled Soldiers and their families as they attempt to tap into services available to them through the military and the Department of Veterans Affairs. DS3 gives disabled Soldiers (active or reserve) one-stop shopping for help with financial, administrative, medical, vocational, other needs. It helps them sort out the medical and vocational benefits for which they qualify and provides an advocate for them during their rehabilitation. A Soldier can make contact with DS3 by calling (800) 833-6622 weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.; or E-mail at ArmyDS3@hoffman.army.mil.

For more extensive information on Army’s Disabled Soldier Support System (DS3), go to: Disabled Soldier Support System (DS3).

The Department of Defense (DOD) maintains a list of service members killed in action during these operations at the "Fallen Warriors" website.

The Department of Defense (DOD) maintains a website listing hundreds of ways that individuals or groups can help support the troops.

The America Supports You site is organized by subject area (Mail to troops, frequent flyer miles, phone cards, help for wounded troops, etc). Click on the yellow button "How you can Help." This is the best site to use if you have something specific in mind that you want to do.

You can also contact family support groups at your local military base to volunteer to assist their efforts.

Military Records

Official copies of your DD214 are maintained at the National Personnel Records Center. You can request a copy by mail, fax or on-line.

Mail: Complete a “Standard Form 180” and mail it to:

National Personnel Records Center
Military Personnel Records
9700 Page Avenue
St. Louis, MO 63132-5100

By Fax: Complete a SF-180 and fax to 314-801-9195. The Center will respond in writing by U.S. Mail.

On-line: Veterans or next-of-kin of deceased veterans can use vetrecs.archives.gov.

Additional information may be found at NPRC-Requesting Military Records.

Burial Benefits

You can find the location of all national and state cemeteries, including Arlington National Cemetery, at the USDVA website National Cemeteries .

The eligibility requirements for burial in either a national or state cemetery are generally the same; details can be found at Eligibility Criteria. Be sure to check the individual cemetery’s website to be sure that they are still accepting new internments.

The criteria for burial in Arlington National cemetery are stricter, specific information can be found at Arlington Burial Eligibility.

The USDVA maintains a nationwide database of burials at veteran’s cemeteries; you can search for the burial location at Grave Locator.

The USDVA provides burial benefits for veterans, which depend upon whether the veteran is being buried in a private cemetery or a national or state cemetery. You can obtain specific information about these benefits and how to apply for the benefits at the Burial Benefits website.

Complaints

As a state agency, the California Department of Veterans Affairs has no jurisdiction over the U. S. Department of Veterans Affairs. However, district office staff of the California Department of Veterans Affairs assist veterans and their dependents in obtaining these benefits through the process of application and representation of claims.

For additional information, contact one our departmental district offices.

There is also an excellent network of County Veterans Service Offices (CVSO) that can help you with filing a claim, understanding the claim process, understanding the USDVA’s decision on your claim, or assisting in filing an appeal. To locate your CVSO, check out this listing of addresses and phone numbers at CVSO locations.

Or you can contact the USDVA directly at 1-800-827-1000.

As a state agency, the California Department of Veterans Affairs has no jurisdiction over the U. S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Complaints about medical care should be made to the Director of the facility, or the Ombudsman of the facility or the Veteran Integrated Service Network Director. Contact addresses and phone numbers can be found at USDVA Medical Facilities in California.

Or you can contact the USDVA directly at 1-800-827-1000.

USDVA Locations

In California - USDVA Medical Facilities in California.

Other States - USDVA Medical Facilities - Nationwide.

In California - USDVA Regional Offices in California.

Other States - USDVA Regional Offices - Nationwide.

Miscellaneous

The State of California does not maintain a database of veterans living in California. You may wish to try the various search engines available on the Internet.

If it was a U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs check, contact them ASAP at 1.800.827.1000.

Medals

Requests for the issuance or replacement of military service medals, decorations, and awards should be directed to the specific branch of the military in which the veteran served. However, for Air Force (including Army Air Corps) and Army personnel, the National Personnel Records Center will verify the awards to which a veteran is entitled and forward the request with the verification to the appropriate service department for issuance of the medals. Visit the Military Awards & Decorations website for forms and additional information.

Please go to the Korean War Service Medal website. The USAF is the coordinating agency, applications must be made by individuals to the address listed on the web-site.

The U.S. Army maintains a web site with a list of Medal of Honor recipients and includes a copy of the individual citation.

Guest Speakers

We suggest that you contact one of the military commands in your area. Many active duty and reserve commands have speakers bureaus specifically organized to speak in the community on a wide variety of subjects. Thank you for your support of our veterans. Here are some contacts that we have developed for Northern California:

• Travis AFB Speakers Bureau: To request a speaker send a request letter by e-mail or fax to the Travis Community Relations Office ( com.rel@travis.af.mil) Phone: (707) 424-0132. Please provide the following information: name of organization, grade of school class (if appropriate), name and telephone number of your point of contact for the speaking engagement, date and time of the event, topics you'd like the speaker to address, along with any other special requirements or requests.
• Beale AFB Community Relations: The Community Relations division can be reached at (530) 634-8889/8894.
• Naval Reserve Commands:
  The Sacramento Naval and Marine Corps Reserve Center. Toll free contact is: 1-866-254-6450
  The Alameda Naval and Marine Corps Reserve Center 1-800-748-2224
• National Guard: Public Affairs Main Telephone Number(916) 854-3304