Locating Friend in Military

Dear Dr. Dave and Dr. Dee,

I met a really nice guy at a club and had a fun evening dancing and talking, but never saw him again after that night. I wouldn’t give him my phone number because he was not from around here, and was going to be shipped overseas. However, now I keep thinking about him and wondering if he’s okay and safe. If possible, I would like to just write him and keep up the friendship. What should I do?

Signed,

Change of Heart

Dear Change of Heart,

You can get assistance in locating your friend from the particular branch of the military in which he is enlisted. There are five branches of the U.S. military: Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, and Coast Guard.

Unless you are an immediate family member or government official, the service fee will be $3.50 and the request must be made in writing. The U.S. Department of Defense provides detailed information and mailing addresses for the branches of the military. For more information, you can call the military branches below or go to the website. Locating someone may take as long as four weeks. Good luck.

U.S. Department of Defense: http://www.defenselink.mil/faq/pis/PC04MLTR.html

ARMY: 1-866-771-6357; https://www.hrc.army.mil/site/EREC/index.htm

NAVY: 1-901-874-3388; www.bupers.navy.mil

AIR FORCE: 1-210-652-5775; www.afpc.randolph.af.mil

MARINE CORPS: 1-703-640-3942; www.usmc.mil

COAST GUARD: 1-202-267-1349l www.uscg.mil