Inquiries and Visitor Policy

 

General Information & Visit Requests

Is the CMH Library & Archives open to the public?
No. The U.S. Army Center of Military History (CMH) Library and Archives, located at Fort McNair, is not open to the general public for research. Due to security and limited resources, access is restricted.

Researchers requiring Army historical materials:
How do I submit a visit request?
Researchers with valid credentials can request a visit using the Visit Request Form.
  • Requests must be submitted 30 days in advance.
  • Requests may be cancelled due to security or resource limitations.
What is the typical response time to inquiries?
Response times may be delayed due to high volume and limited staff.
Priority is given to Army units, DoD organizations, and government agencies. Other inquiries will be answered as resources allow.
What should I do before contacting CMH?
  1. Review the Master Index of Army Records.
  2. Check the Army History FAQ page.
  3. Explore Online Bookshelves for reference materials.
  4. For veteran/veterans’ group searches, contact the Department of Veterans Affairs or Directory of Veterans Service Organizations.

Tip: Many basic Army history questions can be answered at your local library—consult a reference librarian or use interlibrary loan services.

Historical & Specialized Inquiries

How do I submit a historical or organizational inquiry?
Email CMH Answers (Coming Soon) for questions about:
  • Organizational history, lineage, and honors
  • Official Army histories
  • Staff rides or military programs
Who can request lineage and honors certificates?
Only active MTOE unit commanders may request new certificates by submitting a request on unit letterhead to CMH Answers (Coming Soon).
Inactive units: lineage is not posted online. Updates occur only after a new certificate is prepared.
Where do I find Medal of Honor information?
Do not contact CMH for Medal of Honor issues.
See the Congressional Medal of Honor Society or email U.S. Army HRC: usarmy.knox.hrc.mbx.tagd-ask-hrc@army.mil
How should Congressional offices submit Army-related questions?
Congressional inquiries should go to the Office of Congressional Legislative Liaison (OCLL), not CMH.
Does CMH provide extensive research services?
The CMH team cannot conduct extensive research but will attempt to answer within available resources. You may be referred to other sources if needed.

Website, Accessibility & Technical Issues

How do I report website issues or accessibility concerns?
Email the CMH Web Development Support Team:
usarmy.mcnair.cmh.mbx.web-development-support-team@army.mil
Will CMH address issues on external sites or platforms?
No. CMH does not host external content or resolve issues on third-party platforms.
What types of website inquiries receive priority?
  • Public accessibility and 508 compliance
  • Content accuracy
  • DoD or government requests
Other inquiries are answered as time permits.

Media Inquiries

Who should I contact for press or media requests?
For all media, press, or public affairs inquiries regarding the U.S. Army Center of Military History (CMH), please contact:

Francis Lee Reynolds, Public Affairs Officer, U.S. Army Center of Military History (CMH)
francis.l.reynolds.civ@army.mil

Media representatives seeking official statements, interviews, or information about Army history, CMH publications, or events should direct their requests to the Public Affairs Officer listed above.

Master Index of Army Records

The Master Index helps researchers find Army records by type, description, and repository. Use the search bar above to filter these tables by keyword.
Record Type Description Repository Access Instructions
Service Records Individual service history (enlistment, discharge, assignments) National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) Request via NPRC
Unit Rosters & Morning Reports Daily personnel records by unit National Archives (NARA) Visit NARA
Operational Reports Reports detailing unit operations during campaigns NARA Visit NARA
Official Army Histories Comprehensive U.S. Army histories CMH See Online Bookshelves
Staff Ride Guides Guides for conducting staff rides, terrain analysis CMH Download on CMH site
Medal of Honor Recipients Information on Medal of Honor recipients Congressional Medal of Honor Society Visit CMOHS
Veterans' Groups Resources for locating veterans or organizations Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Visit VA
  • Many records are digitized and available online via NARA, AHEC, or CMH.
  • For unavailable records, follow the listed repository's instructions (some may require FOIA or official requests).
  • Some records are restricted to military or government personnel.
Helpful Links:
National Archives (NARA)  |  Army Heritage and Education Center (AHEC)  |  National Personnel Records Center (NPRC)  |  Congressional Medal of Honor Society  |  Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)

Visit Request Form

Notice: The U.S. Army Center of Military History (CMH) Library and Archives is not open to the public for research.

To research Army history and heritage, don't hesitate to get in touch with the U.S. Army Heritage and Education Center (AHEC) at https://ahec.armywarcollege.edu/visit.cfm.