Cold War Recognition Certificates

[longly]

Were you aware that since 1997, veterans who served during the Cold War, along with DoD civilians, can receive Cold War Recognition Certificates? Until just recently, I didn’t know the program existed. It was signed into law by Bill Clinton. I reckon it’s kind of a slap in the face, since he was a draft evader and considered by many to be anti-military.

All you have to do is send a request to the organization that handles these certificates, along with a copy of any document you received during that time. A set of orders would do, and they’ll send you your certificate. I’m going to do it, because I’m proud of my service. I was a Cold Warrior, and I’m happy to receive official recognition.

I personally think that these certificates should be available to certain civilians other than DoD employees — say Scoop Jackson, the senator during the Cold War who was a great advocate of resisting the communists; Presidents Kennedy and Johnson for sure; Nadia Comăneci and other defectors from communism, whose lives were defined by choosing freedom over slavery; and certain Journalist like Howard K. Smith, who is dead now but importantly advocated strongly for resistance against the communists.

Who would not be qualified, in my opinion? Anyone involved in anti-war movements, anyone who ever expressed sympathy toward communism — Jane Fonda, Bill Clinton, and the like.

Now, some people — I imagine mostly liberals — may see it as silly, but I don’t. Communism was the evil it was, and I did everything I could to resist it.

This is important to note: don’t send original DD-214s, only copies. You should have multiple copies of your DD-214 safely stored in different places. It’s a document you do not want to lose.

Requirements to Apply​

To receive your certificate, you must submit:

• A signed request letter that includes the statement:“I certify that my service was honorable and faithful during the Cold War era.”
• Proof of service (copies only, not originals). Acceptable documents include:
  • DD Form 214 (Report of Separation) for military personnel
  • Orders or other official documents showing at least one day of service between Sept. 2, 1945 – Dec. 26, 1991
  • For federal civilian employees, an SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action) is acceptable

Application Process​

1. Prepare your signed request letter with the required certification statement.
2. Attach a copy of your DD-214 or other qualifying document.
3. Mail or fax the packet to the U.S. Army HRC Cold War Recognition Program at the address below.
4. Do not send original documents — only copies.
5. The certificate is free of charge.

Send two:
Commander, U.S. Army Human Resources Command Cold War Recognition ProgramATTN: AHRC-PDP-A1600 Spearhead Division Avenue, Dept 480Fort Knox, KY 40122-5408

 

[Admiral Rockwell Tory]

Were you aware that since 1997, veterans who served during the Cold War, along with DoD civilians, can receive Cold War Recognition Certificates? Until just recently, I didn’t know the program existed. It was signed into law by Bill Clinton. I reckon it’s kind of a slap in the face, since he was a draft evader and considered by many to be anti-military.

All you have to do is send a request to the organization that handles these certificates, along with a copy of any document you received during that time. A set of orders would do, and they’ll send you your certificate. I’m going to do it, because I’m proud of my service. I was a Cold Warrior, and I’m happy to receive official recognition.

I personally think that these certificates should be available to certain civilians other than DoD employees — say Scoop Jackson, the senator during the Cold War who was a great advocate of resisting the communists; Presidents Kennedy and Johnson for sure; Nadia Comăneci and other defectors from communism, whose lives were defined by choosing freedom over slavery; and certain Journalist like Howard K. Smith, who is dead now but importantly advocated strongly for resistance against the communists.

Who would not be qualified, in my opinion? Anyone involved in anti-war movements, anyone who ever expressed sympathy toward communism — Jane Fonda, Bill Clinton, and the like.

Now, some people — I imagine mostly liberals — may see it as silly, but I don’t. Communism was the evil it was, and I did everything I could to resist it.

This is important to note: don’t send original DD-214s, only copies. You should have multiple copies of your DD-214 safely stored in different places. It’s a document you do not want to lose.

Requirements to Apply​

To receive your certificate, you must submit:

• A signed request letter that includes the statement:“I certify that my service was honorable and faithful during the Cold War era.”
• Proof of service (copies only, not originals). Acceptable documents include:
  • DD Form 214 (Report of Separation) for military personnel
  • Orders or other official documents showing at least one day of service between Sept. 2, 1945 – Dec. 26, 1991
  • For federal civilian employees, an SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action) is acceptable

Application Process​

1. Prepare your signed request letter with the required certification statement.
2. Attach a copy of your DD-214 or other qualifying document.
3. Mail or fax the packet to the U.S. Army HRC Cold War Recognition Program at the address above.
4. Do not send original documents — only copies.
5. The certificate is free of charge.

Send two:
Commander, U.S. Army Human Resources Command Cold War Recognition ProgramATTN: AHRC-PDP-A1600 Spearhead Division Avenue, Dept 480Fort Knox, KY 40122-5408

That would only be for Army personnel.

 

[longly]

That would only be for Army personnel.

I’ve been known to make mistakes, so I could have it wrong, but as I understand it, the Army is just the organization that has been tasked to do this for all members of the military — retired, active duty, as well as civilian employees

https://www.hrc.army.mil/content/Cold%20War%20Recognition%20Certificate%20Program

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, are eligible. Individuals requesting a certificate will certify that their character of service was honorable. Acceptable supporting documentation 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. Please only send copies of supporting documents.