[Milsurplus] Oddball question

[Jack Antonio]

I have sort of an oddball question, but not
really.

Just received an instruction manual in the
mail, with a persons name and what looks
like a military personal serial number written
on the cover.

So the question is, is RA followed by eight
digits a valid military serial number? And
does RA signify Regular Army, as opposed
to a draftee? I seem to remember this from
my brother's  Vietnam days.

Would a WWII GI have had an RA serial number?

Wondering if their is a clue to the dates of usage
of the equipment based on the possible personal
serial number on the cover.

Thanks

Jack

Jack Antonio
scr287 at sbcglobal.net