ok, fixed the if statements , it needed to look like this:
ElseIf Branch = "F" Then
branchout = "AirForce"
USAF = USAF + 1
If Rank = "A" Then
rankout = "Airman"
ElseIf Rank = "M" Then
rankout = "Major"
Maj = Maj + 1
Else
rankout = "INVALID"
sw.WriteLine("Error in Rank Code")
errmsg = "Error in Record"
End If
ElseIf Branch = "M" Then
branchout = "Marines"
USMC = USMC + 1
If Rank = "G" Then
rankout = "General"
Gen = Gen + 1
ElseIf Rank = "C" Then
rankout = "Colonel"
Col = Col + 1
Else
rankout = "INVALID"
sw.WriteLine("Error in Rank Code")
errmsg = "Error in Record"
End If
End If



-------------------




now,however, my problemis that the first list box, lst1, is only displaying ONE of the personel files, i need ALL listed