MPF informs Airmen to update records

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Montse Ramirez
  • 509th Bomb Win Public Affairs
WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo. --  It's crucial for military members to check their military records regularly to avoid problems that could arise from not having them updated.

"The main thing military members can do to update their records is check the Virtual MPF constantly, at least once a month," said Master Sgt. Angella Ramirez, 509th Force Support Squadron, superintendent career development. "Always be on the lookout for what may be missing, something that potentially was in there last month, might not be there this month."

Air Force members can view their personnel records online via their Air Force Portal using the Personnel Records Display Application. PRDA is an electronic viewer for the military personnel records and can be found on the virtual Personnel Services Center platform.

"The biggest setback military members encounter when their records aren't updated is promotion," said Sergeant Ramirez. "When an individual is eligible for promotion selection, they are required to review their data in Virtual MPF. If something isn't right such as their EPRs, they may potentially be selected for promotion and then have it taken away because the data in their records wasn't correct."

Unfortunately, Whiteman members haven't been impervious to the trouble of incorrect records.

"We've already had two or three cases in the past two years where promotion has been taken away from people here," said Master Sgt. Dawn Couey, 509th Force Support Squadron, superintendent force management.

Sergeant Ramirez said other discrepancies can occur with the Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance and the virtual Record Emergency Data. In case something happens to the individual, the SGLI and vRED contain the information indicating who will obtain the benefits and money.

"Those don't affect your promotion or assignment, but they do affect your family if something happens to you," said Sergeant Ramirez. "It's a legally-binding document, which means whatever it says goes."

Military documents don't only affect family members and individual's military career, but can also make or break a civilian career.

"Promotion is a big thing but when it comes time for you to retire or separate, you want to make sure that all your career information is in there, because that's what you're potentially going to take to a new employer," said Sergeant Ramirez.

Any military personnel section customer service representatives can assist Airmen with any questions about what is or isn't in their records. Contact the MPS customer service office at (660) 687-6426 for more information.