News

Correct military records online

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Grant Saylor
  • 446th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
Air Force Reservists now have the ability to request corrections to their military service record online, anytime. Recent changes to the virtual Personnel Center for Guard and Reserve will make it easy for Reservists to take matters into their own hands when it comes to challenging discrepancies in their records. 

"This is literally the wave of the future," said Chief Master Sgt Janice Kallinen, 446th Airlift Wing Military Personnel Chief. "You can now review your service record while watching a football game." 

If a Reservist finds a discrepancy in their record, such as a missing ribbon or decoration, they can request a correction by logging on to the personnel website at http://arpc.afrc.af.mil and providing documentation on a fill-in-the-blank online form. 

Requests can also include corrections to current grade, date of rank, pay date and date of initial entry into uniformed service. Once a fix is requested, customers are sent a tracking number that can be used to track the progress of their inquiry. 

"Turn around time is usually two weeks or less," said Airman First Class Briana Johnson of the Air Reserve Personnel Center. The vPC-GR now has the capability to track other aspects of a Reservist's career, too. Asked about the most common requests her office receives, Airman Johnson said "retirements, retirements, retirements!" She reminds Reservists they can now check the status of their retirement applications on the website. 

Chief Kallinen said the recent changes should encourage Reservists to keep a watchful eye on their service records. Her office still conducts an audit of personnel records every two years, but a sit-down interview with the individual is no longer part of the process. 

"That's not to say we don't catch what we can, but it's ultimately up to the individual," she said. 

Additionally, a spell check feature has been added to vPC-GR applications to assist Reservists in writing decoration nominations and promotion board letters. The change has been met with enthusiasm by those who use it. 

"It's fantastic," said Chief Kallinen. "Not having it was a step backward in technology."