Frequently Asked Questions

How can I register a complaint about noise created by training at Gowen Field?

Where can I find information about the programs at Gowen Field for Family Support and youth programs?

Can Scouts stay in the barracks at Gowen Field?

Can an individual, organization, school, club, etc., use real estate or facilities on Gowen Field?

Can individuals or organizations borrow equipment from Gowen Field?

Where can I get my identification card (ID) renewed?

What services can Gowen Field provide to retirees?

Can the general public enter Gowen Field and what things are open to them?

Does Gowen Field conduct an Open House for the public?

Can the public search for relics on Gowen Field?

How can a student obtain facts or other information about Gowen Field?

Where can I find information about military equipment?

How can I get a tank for permanent static display for our American Legion?

How can I get information about buying surplus Department of Defense property?

How can I get surplus property donated to my organization?

Can anyone buy a tank? A machine gun? A gas mask?

Can I buy a Jeep?

How may a member of the general public obtain government publications?

Who do I contact to make arrangements for a military burial?

How may I obtain a copy of my military personnel record or information about awards and metals I think I have recieved?

How may I obtain a copy of my military medical record?

How may I obtain historical information about the Army?

How may I obtain historical operational information about a particular Army unit?

Where can I find information about U.S. Army patches and insignia?

Where can I purchase patches/insignia?

How can I locate a former soldier?

--------------------------------------------------------------
Q. How can I register a complaint about noise created by training at Gowen Field?
A. Persons with complaints regarding training-related noise should call (208) 422-5755.
--------------------------------------------------------------

Q. Where can I find out about the programs on Gowen Field for Family support and youth programs?
A. The program is the Idaho Army and Air National Guard Family support program at Gowen Field.  The Idaho Youth programs are also available.  For more information about the programs call 208-272-4361.
--------------------------------------------------------------

Q. Can Scouts stay in the barracks at Gowen Field?
A. Scouts can camp at Gowen Field Training Area. For information about how to get permission call 208-422-5268.
--------------------------------------------------------------

Q. Can an individual, organization, school, club, etc.,use real estate or facilities on Gowen Field?
A. Requests are considered on a case-by-case basis. Submit written requests to the Public Affairs Office, ATTN: PAO , 4040 west Guard Street, BLDG 600, Boise, ID 83705-5004 or call 208-422-5268 for information
--------------------------------------------------------------

Q. Can individuals or organizations borrow equipment from Gowen Field?
A. Equipment can be loaned to non-profit organizations on a case-by-case basis. Generally, government equipment may not be loaned if it is readily available from a commercial source. Contact the Public Affairs 208-422-5268
--------------------------------------------------------------

Q. Where can I get my identification card (ID) renewed?
A. The Gowen Field J1 Personnel Services Branch can issue ID cards for members of all branches of the service: active, reserve, guard, retirees and dependents. ID cards are issued in Building 440 they are open Tues-Thurs 8am-4pm and Fridays from 8am-3pm (closed Mondays) Please call (208)422-5367.

Additionally, this link http://www.dmdc.osd.mil/rsl/ will take you to the Site Locator for ID Card facilities worldwide.
--------------------------------------------------------------
Q. What services can Gowen Field provide to retirees?
A. The Morale, Welfare, and Recreation Programs, as well as the Post Exchange provide a variety of activities and services that are available to military retirees. Please visit the Idaho National Guard Retiree page for more information and to sign up for our retiree mailing list.
--------------------------------------------------------------

Q. Can the public enter Gowen Field and what things are open to them?
A. Access to the installation is regulated. Several recreational opportunities are available to retires. Training areas are off-limits most of the time. For more information contact the Public Affairs Office by calling (208)422-5268 , by writing to the Public Affairs Office, ATTN: PAO , 4040 west Guard Street, BLDG 600, Boise, ID83705-5004
--------------------------------------------------------------

Q. Does Gowen Field conduct an Open House for the public?
A.
--------------------------------------------------------------

Q. Can the public search for relics on Gowen Field?
A. Army Regulation 420-47 prohibits scavenging on an installation/post. Any abandoned property found on the installation belongs to the United States (40 USC 310), and may not be taken by private persons. Additionally, Federal law prohibits the removal of archaeological resources on public lands.
--------------------------------------------------------------
-
Q. How can a student obtain facts or other information about Gowen Field?
A. The Gowen Field Web site contains historical and current information about the installation as well as a series of fact sheets.  If additional information is needed, contact the Public Affairs Office by calling (208)-422-5268 or by writing to the Public Affairs Office, ATTN: PAO , 4040 west Guard Street, BLDG 600, Boise, ID 83705-5004
--------------------------------------------------------------

Q. Where can I find information about military equipment?
A.Military equipment fact sheets can be found at the Department of Defense web site.
--------------------------------------------------------------

Q. How can I get a tank for permanent static display for our American Legion?
A. Certain organizations can get excess combat vehicles for static display. The U.S. Army Tank Automotive Command coordinates this program. For further information call 1-800-325-2920 extension 7360.
--------------------------------------------------------------

Q. How can I get information about buying surplus Department of Defense property?
A. The Defense Reutilization and Marketing Service is the agency responsible for the disposition of surplus property or call, 1-800-GOVT-BUY (1-800-468-8289).
To learn about the surplus equipment being sold throughout the Defense Reutilization and Marketing Service (DRMS), visit the Government Liquidation, LLC Web site at www.governmentliquidation.com , or call (480)367-1300, fax to (480) 367-1450. Inquiries can be mailed to: Government Liquidation, LLC; 6263 Scottsdale Road, Suite 371; Scottsdale, AZ 85250. For more information about the DRMS, visit their Web site at www.drms.com or call 1-800-GOVTBUY (1-800-468-8289)
--------------------------------------------------------------

Q. How can I get surplus property donated to my organization?
A. If a use cannot be found for property within the Department of Defense or non-Department of Defense federal activities, items are donated to state or local governments through the General Service Administration's (GSA’s) State Surplus Property Program. Through GSA, donations are made to eligible non-profit organizations.
--------------------------------------------------------------

Q. Can anyone buy a tank? A machine gun? A gas mask?
A. No. Offensive and defensive military equipment is sold only as scrap, rendered useless for its intended purpose. This process is called demilitarization.
--------------------------------------------------------------

Q. Can I buy a Jeep?
A. The Department of Defense does not sell the M-151 series of vehicles commonly referred to as jeeps. The Department of Transportation has ruled that jeeps are built for off-the-road use, and could be unsafe at high speeds. Jeeps, therefore, are rendered inoperable prior to sale (i.e. cutting or crushing the unitized body and suspension system) for reasons of public safety
--------------------------------------------------------------

Q. How may a member of the general public obtain government publications?
A. The office of the Superintendent of Documents carries a free catalog of all its documents and their cost. To request a catalog or document, call toll free (866) 512-1800 or write to: Superintendent of Documents, P.O. Box 371954, Pittsburgh, PA 15250-7954. The National Technical Information Service (NTIS) also carries government publications. To contact NTIS, you may call (703) 487-6000 or write to: 5285 Port Royal Road, Springfield, VA 22161. The NTIS Web site is located here http://www.ntis.gov/

--------------------------------------------------------------

Q. Who do I contact to make arrangements for a military burial?
A. The Idaho J1 Personnel Division can provide information regarding military burials. Call (208) 272-3792.
--------------------------------------------------------------

Q. How may I obtain a copy of my military personnel record?
A. To request a copy of your military record, write to The National Personnel Records Center ; Military Personnel Records; 9700 Page Avenue; St. Louis, MO 63132-5100. Or call (800) 318-5298. At minimum, please include the service member’s complete name, social security number and/or serial number, and the requester's return address.
----------------------------------------------------------------

Q. How may I obtain a copy of my military medical record?
A. Medical records are maintained at one of 58 regional Veterans Affairs (VA) centers around the country or at the national Veterans Affairs Records Management Center in St. Louis. Call (800) 827-1000 for information on your regional VA Center. The national VA Records Management Center can be reached by calling (314)538-4550.
----------------------------------------------------------------

Q. How may I obtain historical information about the Army?
A. For historical information, such as a the history of an Army unit or a retired generals military biography, please contact the Center for Military History , Franklin Square, 1099 14th St. N.W., Washington, D.C. 20005-3402.
The Center’s art and documents collections, library facilities, and reference services are open to private researchers. Official priorities permitting, its historians, curators, and archivists advise researchers on military history topics and stand ready to share their expertise concerning the location of sources. Specific inquiries should be addressed to: U.S. Army Center of Military History, ATTN: Executive Officer, 103 Third Avenue, Fort McNair, Washington, D.C. 20319-5058.
----------------------------------------------------------------

Q. How may I obtain historical operational information about a particular Army unit?
A. The National Archives has historical operational information on Army Units-Army and Air Guard. For military information for 1941 and prior, contact the National Archives One at (202) 501-5390. For military information from 1942 and later, contact the National Archives Two at (301)713-7250.
The U.S. Army Military History Institute maintains an extensive collection of unit histories. Biographies for such histories can be accessed online at http://carlisle-www.army.mil/usamhi/UnitHistories.html . Once a history has been identified, you can contact your local library to inquire about interlibrary load possibilities. You also may wish to investigate out-of-print book dealers in your area if you wish to see about purchasing such items.
----------------------------------------------------------------

Q. Where can I find information about U.S. Army patches and insignia? Where can I purchase patches/insignia?
A. Inquiries about patches/insignia can be made to the U.S. Army Institute of Heraldry, Bldg. 1466, 9325 Gunston Road, Room S-112, Fort Belvoir 22060-5579; telephone: 703-806-4970. Inquiries should include as much information as possible about the unit and parent Units-Army and Air Guard. Click here to access The Institute of Heraldry on line.
There also are several commercial businesses that advertise the sale of patches/insignia in a variety of magazines and newspapers.
----------------------------------------------------------------

Q. How can I locate a former soldier?
A. The Privacy Act of 1974 prohibits releasing the last known address of former Army personnel without their written consent. However, the agency identified below will assist your search by forwarding your letter to the service member’s last known address.
To pursue locating a former soldier:

1. Write a letter to the soldier. Place this letter in a sealed and stamped envelope, including your full name and return address.
2. Write a letter addressed to the National Personnel Records Center requesting their assistance with your search. Be sure to include the service member’s name, serial number and/or social security number, and date of birth if available.
3. Place your envelope addressed to the service member AND the letter to the National Personnel Records Center in ONE envelope. Address this envelope to: National Personnel Records Center , 9700 Page Boulevard, St. Louis, Missouri 63132-5200. Please note current addresses for discharged service members are not maintained at the records center -- this center only has the service member’s last officially recorded address. Letters to service members the record center cannot identify or who are known to be deceased will be returned to you.
4. The Department of Veterans Affairs maintains a list of Veterans' Service Organizations at http://www.va.gov/vso/
5. The Department of Veterans Affairs information on finding a servicemate http://www.va.gov/customer/reunion.asp
6. The American Legion provides a service to locate veterans. For more information, contact Finders/Seekers at 1-800-449-VETS, or write to VETS, PO Box 411007, St. Louis, MO 63141.
   Some links below may be useful for locating veterans.
7. You may also wish to advertise in service magazines or publications of veterans' organizations.
   A list of links to military services and veterans organizations:
   http://www.archives.gov/facilities/mo/st_louis/military_personnel_records/other_helpful_sites.html
8. The National D-Day Museum-How to locate someone who fought in WWII:
   http://www.ddaymuseum.org/contact_us/dday_contact_howtolocate.html?bhcp=1
9. Lost and Found Vietnam Veterans Location Service http://grunt.space.swri.edu/lostfnd.htm
10. Air Force Times, 6883 Commercial Drive, Springfield VA 22159 http://www.airforcetimes.com/
11. The Retired Officer, Reader's Exchange, TROA, 201 N Washington Street
    Alexandria VA 22314-2539 http://www.troa.org/Magazine/
12. Sergeant's Magazine, 5211 Auth Road, Suitland, MD 20746
13. Army Times, 475 School Street SW, Washington, DC 20024 http://www.armytimes.com/
14. American Legion Magazine, 700 North Pennsylvania St, PO Box 1055, Indianapolis, IN 46206 http://www.legion.org/index.php
15. VFW Magazine, VFW Building, 34th and Broadway, Kansas City, MO 64111 http://www.vfw.org/insidethevfw/ins_VfwMagazine.htm
16. The following are examples of how-to books and articles about finding living persons:
• Gormley, Myra Vanderpool. "20th Century Military Records." Heritage Quest, 10 (May-June 1987) 3-7.
• Hinckley, Kathleen W. "Locating the living: Twentieth Century Research Methodology." National Genealogical Society Quarterly, 77 (September 1989): 186-196.
• Johnson, Richard S. How to Locate Anyone Who Is or Has Been in the Military, Fourth Edition. Fort Sam Houston, TX: Military Information Enterprises, 1991.
• Martin, Amy Suzanne. "Playing Detective: How Government Records and the Freedom of Information Act Can Help You Locate a Missing Person." Heritage Quest 7 (July-August 1991): 7-8.

----------------------------------------------------------------