In accordance with section 1084 of the Fiscal Year 1998 National Defense
Authorization Act, the Secretary of Defense approved awarding
Cold War Recognition Certificates to all members of the armed forces and qualified federal
government civilian personnel who faithfully and honorably served the United States anytime
during the Cold War era, which is defined as Sept. 2, 1945 to Dec. 26, 1991.
This is the only official site on which to request Cold War Recognition Certificates.
This site is operated by the United States Army, the executive agency for the Cold War
Recognition Program. Cold War Recognition Certificates are available to qualified
individuals at no cost. Any other site offering these certificates or replicas for
sale or purchase are not official sites and are not approved or endorsed by the US Army.
Due to the remarkable success of this program, turn-around time for mailing certificates
will be a minimum of 6 months. The CWRS Operations Team is working as fast
as possible to clear the backlog. Please do not request feedback prior to 6 months
from the request date. Thank you for your patience and interest in the Cold War
Recognition program.
This web site was moved into the Army's Adjutant General Directorate website
in March 2002. You may continue to access it using http:\\coldwar.army.mil.
Who is eligible? All members of the armed forces
and federal government civilian personnel who faithfully served the United States during
the Cold War era, Sept. 2, 1945 to Dec. 26, 1991. Individuals requesting a certificate will certify that their character of service was honorable.
Acceptable supporting document for proof of service is any official
government or military document with recipient's name, Social Security Number or Military
Service Number or Foreign Service Number, and date of service.
Apply for the Certificate
Frequently Asked Questions
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Certificate Application
To apply for a certificate you must have been a U.S. government employee during the
period of the Cold War. See the FAQ
for full details. Follow these instructions to submit your application.
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1) Fill out either the U.S. Resident or
International Resident application
depending upon your current mailing address. Required
fields are marked with an asterisk. |
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2) Print the application.
You must certify your honorable service by signing and dating the application, or
your application will be rejected. If you are unable to print the application you
may submit a signed and dated letter containing the same information as the
application. You must include the phrase "I confirm my faithful and honorable
service to the nation during the Cold War Era."
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3) Mail or fax the application to the Cold War Office along
with your supporting document to:
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CDR, PERSCOM Cold War Recognition, Hoffman
II Attn: TAPC-CWRS, 3N45 200 Stovall Street Alexandria, VA
22332-0473 |
Fax 1-800-723-9262 |
An acceptable supporting document includes any official government or military document that
contains the recipient's name, Social Security Number or Military Service Number or Foreign
Service Number, and a date showing at least one day of service during the Cold War era
(September 2, 1945 to December 26, 1991).
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Frequently Asked Questions
The answer to your question may be listed below. Please read through the
following FAQs before contacting us.
Why are online applications no longer available?
-
The recent increase in DoD-wide computer system
security has reduced access to the CWRS Web Site online
applications. A new printable application form replaces the online
application.
Is this for real?
- Yes. In the 1998
National Defense Authorization Act, the Secretary of Defense approved
awarding Cold War Recognition Certificates to all members of the armed
forces and qualified federal government civilian personnel who faithfully
and honorably served the United States any time during the Cold War era,
Sept. 2, 1945, through Dec. 26, 1991.
- Applicants must certify that their service was "faithful and
honorable", and they must supply a copy of a supporting document
which proves that they served during the Cold War era. The certificate may
be awarded posthumously to those whose relatives apply on their behalf.
- There is no charge for a Cold War Recognition Certificate. Note that no
medal has been authorized or issued for Cold War Recognition.
- The program is scheduled to run for 10 years, so
there is plenty of time to send in your request and supporting document.
Who is eligible for a certificate?
- Anyone who worked for the U.S. Government at any time during the Cold War
era, Sept. 2, 1945 through Dec. 26, 1991, is eligible, provided their
service to the country was faithful and honorable.
- National Guard and Reservists are eligible.
- Contractors and volunteers are not eligible.
- Those who are currently active duty military or
civilian employees of the U.S. government are also eligible if they had at
least one day of service during the Cold War era.
How do I request a certificate?
- Fill out the new printable application and mail or fax to the Cold War
Office with your proof of service. An acceptable supporting document includes
any official government or military document that contains the recipient's name,
Social Security Number or Military Service Number or Foreign Service Number, and
a date showing at least one day of service during the Cold War era (September 2, 1945 to
December 26, 1991).
- If you are unable to print the application you may submit a
signed and dated letter containing the same information as the
application (full name, address, identification including type (SSN, MSN, or FSN),
applicant name if different from recipient, and email address (if available)).
You must include the phrase "I confirm my faithful and honorable service to the
nation during the Cold War Era."
How do I print the application?
-
The new application form permits on-screen entry of your request information but must
be printed. Online submission of the application is no longer possible. To print
the application you must use the print command in your web browser which is usually
found under the File menu. If you click on the File menu you should see the option
"Print" appear. Select "Print", then click "Ok". Due to differences in the different
type of web browsers (Internet Explorer, Netscape Navigator, etc), you may need to use
different menu items to print. Consult your browser's help section for details.
-
If you are unable to print the application you may submit a
signed and dated letter containing the same information as the
application (full name, address, identification including type (SSN, MSN, or FSN),
applicant name if different from recipient, and email address (if available)).
You must include the phrase "I confirm my faithful and honorable service to the
nation during the Cold War Era."
What kind of supporting document is acceptable?
- Any document which shows that the intended recipient was a U.S. government
employee during the Cold War era will be accepted as proof. The document
must contain the name of the recipient, the Social Security Number or Military
Service Number or Foreign Service Number which was included in the request
for the certificate, and a date showing at least one day of service within
the range of Sept. 2, 1945 and Dec. 26, 1991.
- Examples of acceptable documents include a Leave and Earnings
statement, DD214 or other Discharge Paper, or SF50 (Civilian Personnel Action Form.)
- Please send a copy of your supporting document, DO NOT SEND
the original document. Original documents cannot be returned.
What is a Military Service Number or a Foreign Service Number?
- Military Service Numbers (MSN) were issued to members of the armed forces
before Social Security Numbers (SSN) were used to identify personnel. The
changeover to Social Security Numbers occurred in the late 1960’s, so many
retirees who are eligible for the certificate may have only a Military
Service number on their supporting document.
- The Foreign Service Number (FSN) is used to maintain records for foreign
nationals employed by the US government and who do not have Social Security
Numbers.
- NOTE: The number supplied in your initial request, be
it SSN, MSN, or FSN, must match the number supplied on your supporting
document.
Can I request certificates for my entire unit at once?
- Yes. You must supply a POC with email address and DSN phone number, the name
and identification number (SSN) for each of the applicants, and the request must
be signed by an O-4 /GS-13 or higher. The request must also include certification
that all applicants served honorably during the Cold War era. Upon receipt of large
group requests the Cold War Office may contact your POC to provide detailed
instructions for an electronic submission.
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The certificates will be mailed to the address provided.
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Privacy and Security Notice
The Cold War Recognition System Homepage is provided as a public service by The Adjutant
General of the Army. Information presented on The Cold War Recognition System Homepage
is considered public information and may be distributed or copied for non-commercial purposes.
PRIVACY ACT STATEMENT
AUTHORITY:
10 U.S.C. 3013, Secretary of the Army; Public Law 105-85, Fiscal Year 98, National Defense Authorization Act; and Executive Order 9397.
PRINCIPAL PURPOSE:
To secure sufficient information from the individual so to determine eligibility and to process the individuals' requests for the Cold War Recognition Certificate.
ROUTINE USES:
Information is used for official purposes within the Department of Defense; specifically, to process requests for Cold War Certificates. This information may be used in accordance with established Routine Uses for all Department of Defense and Department of the Army system notices.
DISCLOSURE:
Disclosure of the Social Security Number and other personal information is voluntary. However, failure to provide complete information may hinder proper identification of the requester, and may prevent the agency from determining eligibility of the requester for the certificate.
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