Frequently Asked Questions: Veterans History Project

VHP accepts first person narratives in the forms of original unedited audio/video recorded interviews, photographs, letters, diaries, journals, military documents, two-dimensional artwork, maps and unpublished memoirs that meet minimum requirements and pertain to the service of U.S. military veterans. Materials collected must fall within VHP’s 30-20-10 Rule. 

30-20-10 Rule:
- 30 minutes is the minimum length required for recorded interviews; and/or
- 20 pages is the minimum number of pages required for original memoirs, diaries or journals; and/or
- 10 items is the minimum number of original photographs, letters, maps or pieces of artwork required and the minimum number of pages required for military documents.

Participants only need to meet one of these criteria to begin a collection. Materials that fail to meet at least one of the following minimum requirements will be returned to the contributor.

For those participating under the Gold Star Families Voices Act (Public Law 114-246 [PDF, 198 KB]), 30 minutes is the minimum length required for recorded interviews, and we strongly encourage donation of letters, original photographs and other two-dimensional materials of the deceased service member.