secure veteran benefits for discharged or retired service members. In addition, service records of the U.S. military provide a chronology of a service member's career and thus ensure accurate tracking of accomplishments, activities, and promotions. Military service records of active duty personnel are maintained by the various branches of the U.S. armed forces. Service records of retired and discharged personnel are maintained at the Military Personnel Records Center in St. Louis, Missouri; after 2005, most U.S. military service records are retained by the military branch since most such records are electronically stored. Typical makeup of a United States military paper service record DD Form 214 Master personnel folder (201 File, Service Record Book, AF Form 7, etc.) Officer Qualification Record (OQR) (if commissioned) Evaluations and fitness reports Awards and citations Disciplinary data and court martial records Dependent and emergency contact records Clothing allowance and leave records Letters and various correspondence Security clearance information Reserve points and reserve service history (if applicable) Discharge Data References Marine Corps Individual Records Administration Manual (IRAM) Forces War Records (UK) Documents Human resource management Public records