DD Form 214
Encyclopedia
The DD Form 214, officially DD Form 214 "Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty", but generally referred to as a "DD 214", is a document of the United States
Department of Defense
, issued upon a military service member's retirement, separation or discharge
from active-duty military.
DD Form 214 is the capstone military service document, as it represents the complete, verified record of a service member's time in the military, awards and medals
, and other pertinent service information, such as promotions, combat service or overseas service, Military Occupational Specialty
identifiers and record of training and schools completed.
DD Form 214 is commonly used by various government agencies, chief among them the Department of Veterans Affairs
, to secure veteran benefits, and may be requested by employers should a person indicate he or she has served in the military.
This document also contains codes used by the Armed Forces to describe a former servicemember's reason for discharge and their reenlistment eligibility. These codes are known as Separation Designator/Separation Justification (abbreviated as SPD/SJC) Codes and Reenlistment Eligibility (RE) Codes, respectively.
DD Form 214 is also generally required by funeral directors in order to immediately prove eligibility for interment in VA cemetery and/or obtaining a grave marker and/or provide military honors to a deceased veteran. On September 1, 2000, the National Defense Authorization Act
enabled, upon the family's request, every eligible veteran to receive a military funeral honors ceremony to include the folding and presentation of the United States burial flag and the sounding of Taps
, at no cost to the family.
Copies of DD Form 214s are typically maintained by the government as part of a service member's 201 file
or OMPF (Official Military Personnel File). The 201 file generally contains additional personnel related forms.
is the government agency tasked with replacing lost and destroyed DD Form 214s upon request from a veteran. Requested copies are mailed from the Military Personnel Records Center
.
The most important copy of the DD 214 for the individual is the "Member 4" copy. It is the standard form needed to obtain benefits such as GI Bill or government employment priority.
The "Service 2" copy contains information as to the nature and type of discharge, and the re-enlistment code. This code is used to determine whether or not the service member can go back into the service. For unemployment benefits, veterans affairs benefits, as well as for several other services, the "Member's Copy 4" is usually needed. An identical copy to the "Service 2", the "Member 4", is provided directly to the service member upon release from active duty. The military will not provide a replacement "Member's Copy 4" (it is the service member's personal copy) and any request for a replacement is always honored by providing a "Service 2" copy.
Other versions of the DD Form 214 include the "Member 1" (deleted version), "Service 7 & 8" (carbon copies of the "Service 2"), "Veterans Affairs 3" (sent directly to the Department of Veterans Affairs), and "Department of Labor 5" (provided directly to the United States Department of Labor
).
Most veterans who separated from their service generally pre-1992 can obtain their DD 214 from the National Personnel Records Center, ("NPRC"). The NPRC has two distinct tracks available to obtain records for veterans. The first is for the veteran to submit a Department of Defense Standard Form 180 ("SF180") to the facility via mail or fax. The second is to appear in-person at the facility. A personal appearance to request your records will almost always be faster. There are companies who can stand in the veterans place in order to acquire the same in-person advantage, to "expedite" record acquisition for a fee. In addition, records after 1992 will generally be held by the military branches themselves. Private companies who have researchers at these other facilities will, again, almost always be able to acquire records faster than standard submission through the Government. The National Archives does maintain a list of independent researchers who will undertake a personal search and physically visit the St. Louis facility to request records in person.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
Department of Defense
United States Department of Defense
The United States Department of Defense is the U.S...
, issued upon a military service member's retirement, separation or discharge
Military discharge
A military discharge is given when a member of the armed forces is released from their obligation to serve.-United States:Discharge or separation should not be confused with retirement; career U.S...
from active-duty military.
History and usage
The first DD Form 214s were issued in 1950, after replacing the older "WD AGO" (War Department Adjutant General) Forms and the NAVPERS (Naval Personnel) discharge documents. These documents, in turn, had existed since 1941. In earlier versions of the form (1 November 1972) it was called a "Report of Separation from Active Duty"; the current title dates from 1 July 1979.DD Form 214 is the capstone military service document, as it represents the complete, verified record of a service member's time in the military, awards and medals
Awards and decorations of the United States military
Awards and decorations of the United States Military are military decorations which recognize service and personal accomplishments while a member of the United States armed forces...
, and other pertinent service information, such as promotions, combat service or overseas service, Military Occupational Specialty
Military Occupational Specialty
A United States military occupation code, or a Military Occupational Specialty code , is a nine character code used in the United States Army and United States Marines to identify a specific job. In the U.S. Air Force, a system of Air Force Specialty Codes is used...
identifiers and record of training and schools completed.
DD Form 214 is commonly used by various government agencies, chief among them the Department of Veterans Affairs
United States Department of Veterans Affairs
The United States Department of Veterans Affairs is a government-run military veteran benefit system with Cabinet-level status. It is the United States government’s second largest department, after the United States Department of Defense...
, to secure veteran benefits, and may be requested by employers should a person indicate he or she has served in the military.
This document also contains codes used by the Armed Forces to describe a former servicemember's reason for discharge and their reenlistment eligibility. These codes are known as Separation Designator/Separation Justification (abbreviated as SPD/SJC) Codes and Reenlistment Eligibility (RE) Codes, respectively.
DD Form 214 is also generally required by funeral directors in order to immediately prove eligibility for interment in VA cemetery and/or obtaining a grave marker and/or provide military honors to a deceased veteran. On September 1, 2000, the National Defense Authorization Act
National Defense Authorization Act
The National Defense Authorization Act is the name of a United States federal law that has been enacted for each of the past 48 fiscal years to specify the budget and expenditures of the United States Department of Defense.-See also:...
enabled, upon the family's request, every eligible veteran to receive a military funeral honors ceremony to include the folding and presentation of the United States burial flag and the sounding of Taps
Taps
"Taps" is a musical piece sounded by the U.S. military nightly to indicate that it is "lights out". The tune is also sometimes known as "Butterfields Lullaby", or by the lyrics of its second verse, "Day is Done". It is also played during flag ceremonies and funerals, generally on bugle or trumpet...
, at no cost to the family.
Copies of DD Form 214s are typically maintained by the government as part of a service member's 201 file
201 file
A 201 file is set of documents maintained by the US government for members of the United States armed forces. 201 files usually contain documents describing the member's military and civilian education history. A 201 file may also contain personal information such as home of record, and awards...
or OMPF (Official Military Personnel File). The 201 file generally contains additional personnel related forms.
Available versions
There are two versions of the DD Form 214, usually referred to simply as "short" (edited) and "long" (unedited) copies. The edited, or "short" copy omits a great deal of information, chiefly the characterization of service and reason for discharge, thus the unedited ("long") copy is generally desired by veterans' organizations, employers, and law enforcement agencies alike.Copies
Service members are given the option of accepting the edited, unedited or both copies upon separation. The National Personnel Records CenterNational Personnel Records Center
The National Personnel Records Center is an agency of the National Archives and Records Administration, created in 1956. It is divided into two large Federal Records Centers located in St...
is the government agency tasked with replacing lost and destroyed DD Form 214s upon request from a veteran. Requested copies are mailed from the Military Personnel Records Center
Military Personnel Records Center
The Military Personnel Records Center located at 9700 Page Avenue in St. Louis, Missouri, USA, is a branch of the National Personnel Records Center and is the repository of over 56 million military personnel records and medical records pertaining to retired, discharged, and deceased veterans of...
.
The most important copy of the DD 214 for the individual is the "Member 4" copy. It is the standard form needed to obtain benefits such as GI Bill or government employment priority.
The "Service 2" copy contains information as to the nature and type of discharge, and the re-enlistment code. This code is used to determine whether or not the service member can go back into the service. For unemployment benefits, veterans affairs benefits, as well as for several other services, the "Member's Copy 4" is usually needed. An identical copy to the "Service 2", the "Member 4", is provided directly to the service member upon release from active duty. The military will not provide a replacement "Member's Copy 4" (it is the service member's personal copy) and any request for a replacement is always honored by providing a "Service 2" copy.
Other versions of the DD Form 214 include the "Member 1" (deleted version), "Service 7 & 8" (carbon copies of the "Service 2"), "Veterans Affairs 3" (sent directly to the Department of Veterans Affairs), and "Department of Labor 5" (provided directly to the United States Department of Labor
United States Department of Labor
The United States Department of Labor is a Cabinet department of the United States government responsible for occupational safety, wage and hour standards, unemployment insurance benefits, re-employment services, and some economic statistics. Many U.S. states also have such departments. The...
).
Most veterans who separated from their service generally pre-1992 can obtain their DD 214 from the National Personnel Records Center, ("NPRC"). The NPRC has two distinct tracks available to obtain records for veterans. The first is for the veteran to submit a Department of Defense Standard Form 180 ("SF180") to the facility via mail or fax. The second is to appear in-person at the facility. A personal appearance to request your records will almost always be faster. There are companies who can stand in the veterans place in order to acquire the same in-person advantage, to "expedite" record acquisition for a fee. In addition, records after 1992 will generally be held by the military branches themselves. Private companies who have researchers at these other facilities will, again, almost always be able to acquire records faster than standard submission through the Government. The National Archives does maintain a list of independent researchers who will undertake a personal search and physically visit the St. Louis facility to request records in person.
Corrections
The DD Form 215 ("Correction to DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty") is used to correct errors or additions to a DD Form 214 discovered after the original had been delivered and/or distribution had been made. It is distributed in the same manner as the DD Form 214.Distribution
A DD Form 214/215 is prepared in eight copies and distributed as follows:- Copy 1 – Service Member
- Copy 2 – Service Personnel File
- Copy 3 – United States Department of Veterans Affairs
- Copy 4 – Member (if initialed in Block 30)
- Copy 5 – United States Department of LaborUnited States Department of LaborThe United States Department of Labor is a Cabinet department of the United States government responsible for occupational safety, wage and hour standards, unemployment insurance benefits, re-employment services, and some economic statistics. Many U.S. states also have such departments. The...
- Copy 6 – State Director of Veteran Affairs
- Copy 7 & 8 – Distributed in accordance with Military Service Department directions