What do personnel records primarily contain regarding service members?

Personnel records primarily contain administrative records of service history. These records document a service member’s entire career within the armed forces, including information on enlistments, promotions, awards, assignments, and any disciplinary actions taken. This comprehensive overview enables the Department of Veterans Affairs and other related agencies to assess a veteran's service accurately.

The focus on administrative records emphasizes the importance of documented service history for various processes, such as claiming benefits or recognition for service. By containing detailed historical accounts, these records serve as a critical resource in understanding the service member's contributions and experiences during their military tenure.

While financial records, healthcare treatment histories, and personal identification information may be kept separately, they are not the primary focus of the personnel records. These other types of records might be important for specific purposes, but they do not constitute the core content of personnel records as defined in the context of service member documentation.