Members of the uniformed services can obtain medical and dental care through the DOD health care program TRICARE, formerly known as CHAMPUS. The program meets our criteria for health maintenance programs. Under established electronic data exchange agreements, we disclose certain non-tax return information to DOD to administer these programs under applicable routine uses.

Under an established electronic data exchange agreement, we verify SSNs and disclose citizenship status information, as indicated in our records, when DOD requests such information. SSN verifications assist DOD in validating the identity of persons entering or serving in the Armed Forces. SSN verifications assist DOD in identifying potential enlistees and members of the military who are aliens or non-citizens.

A military recruiter may visit an FO with an accompanied recruit. While we do not provide SSN printouts anymore, we may provide confirmation directly to the recruit, as an access request, that the SSN and identifying information of the recruit matches our records, after we verify the recruit’s identity. For more information about requirements for individuals requesting access, see GN 03340.015.

Military recruiters who request SSN verifications for recruits prior to their enlistments may indicate they are conducting a background check, and the person is not yet a potential recruit or enlistee. This type of request does not meet the criteria for verifying SSNs through the electronic process. We do not consider the military as the employer when the recruiter makes the request. Although the respective military branch may become the employer at a future date, we require the written consent of the recruit to disclose information.

If there is a discrepancy or mismatch of information resulting from the SSN verification, the recruit must contact his or her local FO in person to resolve the discrepancy. We do not honor requests in the FO from military recruiters to resolve discrepancies on behalf of recruits, with or without the recruit’s consent.