quit NROTC - service record?

tn_hibee

New Member
Joined
May 29, 2016
Messages
5
Hi all! A little background, I was a contract midshipman who quit before the start of my 4th year and have since repaid my debts and moved on with my life. Now I'm applying for permanent residence in another county and on the application it asks me for prior military or government service. Typically, I would never claim any service experience (for jobs apps etc.) but here I do not want to mislead the case office because perhaps, due to some technicality, I do have a record of some sort. I have read that technically yes I do but I am concerned I will have no record to show. Since I did not have any (enough) active duty service I never received a dd214 and my old unit informed that they have no record of my enrollment or dis-enrollment because they are destroyed after 2 year.

My question is does anyone know or have an opinion on if I have some sort of military record and should declare this in my application? Many thanks for any opinions in advance...
 
My thought is
no DD 214=no service record...


While I can't answer the OPs question, I can say that a lack of a DD214 isn't a lack of service record. I will likely never have a DD214 but still be able to collect a retirement at the end of my little Navy career. This is an incredibly complicated subject. I only know enough about this to understand that I don't know very much.

I would try calling NSTC in Pesacola and BUPERS / NPC in Millington to see what they can dig up on you.
 
Depending on the country you are applying for residence in it could be a factor. Some countries require military service. The best course of action could be to indicate that you where a contracted cadet who resigned. What that means to the country to which you are applying depends on them. But you do not want to mislead them. Or you may find your self with a free ride to the airport.
 
OP - county or country?
 
While I can't answer the OPs question, I can say that a lack of a DD214 isn't a lack of service record. I will likely never have a DD214 but still be able to collect a retirement at the end of my little Navy career. This is an incredibly complicated subject. I only know enough about this to understand that I don't know very much.

I would try calling NSTC in Pesacola and BUPERS / NPC in Millington to see what they can dig up on you.

This was my feeling as well. I will try what you've suggested to see what I can come up with.

Thanks for all the replies so far.

If anyone is curious or deems it relevant the country is Canada. I understand that they will ask for a service record if I indicate I have prior experience. This is my main concern because even if, due to some technicality, I do have a "record" I have no physical evidence to show this. I have a dis-enrollment form and even this is terrible evidence because it only has my signature because I sent it via snail mail and never received a countersigned copy (which I requested later but never received). I feel indicating some prior service will only raise more questions which I have no good answers for.
 
country, obviously. my mistake.

Didn't mean to come across as snarky or the typo police. I have a tendency to read things very literally, and I read it as "county" the first few times through, and had vague thoughts of, well, there must be a veterans' preference thing related to whatever he is applying for in that particular county. It wasn't until someone else's post that I realized "country" worked even better.
 
Didn't mean to come across as snarky or the typo police. I have a tendency to read things very literally, and I read it as "county" the first few times through, and had vague thoughts of, well, there must be a veterans' preference thing related to whatever he is applying for in that particular county. It wasn't until someone else's post that I realized "country" worked even better.
it's not problem. I can see how it could be a little confusing.
 
My thought: if you were issued an ID card, then you have some type of service. I bet you had an order or two, again, service. You might have been awarded a ribbon, service. I'd start here: http://www.archives.gov/st-louis/index.html
This is where Uncle Sam keeps a record and probably the security agency will check. Folks define "service" differently, I know a few who had service, but didn't make it to "veteran" status. As pointed out above, you can still serve and not earn a DD214 and the VA will very quickly point this out if you grace their halls. Good luck up North!
 
so I rang up the Navy Personnel Command in Millington and according to them I do not have a record on file under my SSN. I'm slightly surprised and not completely convinced If I should say I've had no service or not.
 
tn_


See:
https://www.opm.gov/retirement-services/publications-forms/csrsfers-handbook/c022.pdf

I took a circuitous route. If you wade through the publication above, you will see the Office of Personnel Management, the Federal Agency that oversees Govt civil service, has made the determination that NROTC midshipmen have periods of "credible service." Now, this status is used to determine other things, but it is an opinion that deems certain training periods to be "service." Consider it an oblique approach.

It's likely not service of the kind that meets VA standards for benefits.

I assume you have looked through the paperwork you got when you turned in your ID card and checked out administratively?

And, did you speak with the administrative civilian at your old NROTC unit to see what paperwork you should have gotten? If you have lost yours, where it would have been archived? Those unit civilians, treated with respect and appreciation, can be gold mines of information.
 
Last edited:
Back
Top