[William Tell]

vetvetdoug said: "About 1964 the military began to use the SS# instead of a serial number with the prefix of the branch of service and then the number."

My brother and I both enlisted in 1968. We were assigned unique eight-digit Army serial numbers. I was on a delayed enlistment program, so mine was prefixed with "ER" for "Enlisted Reserve" until I reported for duty, at which time the prefix changed to "RA" for "Regular Army". Draftees, I believe, had a prefix of "US".

[vetvetdoug]

I thought the serial number was switched somewhere in the middle 60's but didn't realize it was as late as 1968. When I went in early 70's I used the SS#. Thanks.