FAQs

To help answer any questions you may have, here is a list of frequently asked questions. If we have not answered your question here, then please contact us.

What is the Microsoft Home Use Program?

The Department of the Navy, through its contract with EDS for the Navy Marine Corps Intranet (NMCI), is entitled to Microsoft's Home Use Program (HUP) as a volume license owner with Microsoft. The HUP allows government civilian and uniformed personnel presently on NMCI, to obtain a licensed copy of Microsoft Office, Project or Visio desktop applications to install and use on a home computer if these products are also installed on their NMCI computer. Contractors are ineligible to participate. Participants must have a valid NMCI email address in order to participate; e.g., John.Doe@navy.mil, Jane.Doe@usmc.mil, or Jack.Doe@pacom.mil.

Where can I locate military service records?

The National Personnel Records Center, is the official repository for records of military personnel who have been discharged from the U.S. Air Force, Army, Marine Corps, Navy and Coast Guard. The National Archives's National Personnel Records Center (Military Personnel Records) (NPRC-MPR) stores records of individual military service pertaining to former service members who no longer have a service obligation. Included are records of veterans who are completely discharged (with no remaining reserve commitment), or who are retired or have died. Records are usually transferred to NPRC (MPR) within six months after these events. NPRC (MPR) does not have records of members who are still in the active or inactive reserves or in the National Guard. The records of each military service department are on file at NPRC (MPR) and listed under Location of Military Service Records.

How can I request a tour of the Pentagon?

Tours can be arranged directly through the Pentagon Tour Office using an online reservations system. To take a guided tour of the Pentagon, you must make a reservation in advance. Note that tour schedules can fill up quickly, so it is advisable to book your tour well in advance of your visit. The program, under the purview of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs, hosts more than 100,000 visitors annually. The tour lasts for approximately 60 minutes and follows a route that is approximately one and one half miles in length. Each tour includes the mission of the Department of Defense and each of its branches of service, and visits numerous displays that highlight and depict significant moments in military history.

How to have a US Flag flown over the Capitol?

The Architect of the Capitol fulfills all flag requests from Members of the United States Senate, and the House of Representatives. Flags are flown daily year-round, weather permitting, excluding Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day and New Year's Day. There are special flag poles where all flags are flown. After it is flown over the Capitol, each flag is issued a keepsake Certificate of Authenticity by the Architect of the Capitol.