Elon University School of Law will host a Vet Your Records event, at which former service members, their next of kin, or their legal guardian gain assistance with obtaining as little or as much of the veteran's military records necessary towards a stated goal, including personal interest.

Students will be trained and supervised by volunteer attorneys in assisting attendees with completion of the requisite government form after a brief interview. The demand for such an event is driven by the common experience shared by veteran advocates nationwide that the above individuals often have a great need for the records or information in the records but are not in receipt of a copy at the start of the assistance process.

Certain military records are prerequisites for obtaining veteran "preference" or accomodations. Standard Form 180 ("SF180") recognizes seven common request purposes including benefits, employment, loan assistance, medical, genealogy, personal, and to request correction(s).

Records may be obtainable from a variety of sources but generally are best directed to one or two specific government facilities, depending on circumstances such as the branch of service and the time period served. Identification of the "optimal" source(s) and substantial completion of the information requested saves time and resources for all involved.

The immediate goal of the event is to provide the direct service described, but overarching goals include an "awareness" campaign that such records are obtainable.