Real Example of a DD-214:

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I’ll walk you through the important sections to remember. You can learn more about these in detail directly from the Army Regulation 635-8. 

(reference numbers on the image above ^^)

Number 1. Block 6: Reserve Obligation Termination Date

    1. This is the completion date of the statutory military service obligation (MSO) incurred by a soldier on initial enlistment or appointment in the Armed Forces. DOD policy requires a soldier with no previous military service who enlisted or was appointed on or after 1 Jun 84 to serve a period of 8 years. The MSO starts on the date of initial enlistment or appointment in the RA, ARNG, or the USAR to include the Delayed Entry Program (DEP).

Number 2. Block 9: Command to Which Transferred

    1. Usually this will stipulate a transfer to the Individual Ready Reserve. For a soldier being transferred to the Individual Ready Reserve, you’ll see entered “SUBJECT TO ACTIVE DUTY RECALL AND/OR ANNUAL SCREENING.”

Number 3. Block 10: SGLI Coverage

    1. This will indicate how much SGLI Coverage you have previously opted in for.

Number 4. Block 12: Record of Service:

    1. You’ll see all of your dates of service. Make sure these are correct if you are reviewing your DD-214 for the first time. 

Number 5. Block 14: Military Education (with dates)

    1. Self explanatory. This section could be important to point out if your skills can be transferable to the civilian world. 

Number 6. Block 15c: Enlisted Under Loan Repayment Program

    1. This block is for enlisted only, and if you used this program to help pay back college loans, you’ll be aware of this block annotated. 

Number 7. Block 16: Days Accrued Leave

    1. If you have days of leave remaining, the local finance office will annotate this amount here, and you’ll be paid out for this remaining leave. If you decided to take terminal leave, then you should see “0” here.

Number 8. Block 20: Where You’d Like Records Sent

    1. Make sure the appropriate “state” is annotated here. Usually they will send them to the state of your home of record, but if you are moving elsewhere, be sure this is correct.

Number 9. Block 24: Discharge Status

    1. For the type of separation, you could see: retirement, resignation (for officers), release from ADT (meaning a return to the IRR), or discharge.

    2. Character of Service Options: HONORABLE, UNDER HONORABLE CONDITIONS (GENERAL), UNDER OTHER THAN HONORABLE CONDITIONS, BAD CONDUCT, DISHONORABLE, DISMISSED, or UNCHARACTERIZED.

Number 10. Block 26: Separation Code

    1. There are too many to list here. You can download a copy of all the codes here.

Number 11. Block 28: Narrative Reason for Separation

    1. This is based on regulatory or other authority and can be checked against the cross reference in AR 635–5–1.

Now that you’ve seen an example, let’s talk about what a DD-214 is, and why it’s important:

One of the many things we all have to do- no different from our time as active duty service members- is to fill out forms until our eyes bleed. And one of these forms is a DD-214.  

Good news though:

The military will complete this form for you, and it will be issued after your separation or retirement. 

If you want to know what a DD-214 is and what you need it for, A DD-214 is a Department of Defense form certifying one's military service and release from active duty. It contains information such as military education and specialties, awards and decorations, and the type and reason for a service member's separation from the armed forces. This document can be used when applying for a civilian job, and is required by offices and agencies that offer benefits for veterans.

We'll share with you below more information about your DD-214, what it's used for, and how to get one, so keep reading!

What Is a DD-214?

A DD Form 214, more commonly referred to as DD-214, is a Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty that is issued by the Department of Defense for service members of the different branches of the Armed Forces of the United States, namely- the U.S. Air Force, U.S. Army, U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Marine Corps, and U.S. Navy- who are separating from the service.

It's one of the most important documents for a military service member to have, especially once you are ready to leave the military life. A DD-214 details your time in the service, such as your specialty and training, any awards and decorations, and the nature and reason of your separation.

So, just why is a DD-214 so important?

Why Is a DD-214 Important?

This document is not simply just a piece of paper that means you can now fully enjoy civilian life. It actually serves a couple of purposes, such as:

Career Advancement

Since a DD-214 details all your specialties during your military career, as well as your military education and training, and most especially the awards, citations, and medals that you have earned, this document acts somewhat like your resumé once you are ready to look for a job in the civilian workforce.

And if you are vying for a career in an industry that is close to what your knowledge and expertise in the military were, then with an official document as proof of your skill set, you will have an undeniable advantage when applying for the job that you want.

Veteran Benefits

Perhaps the most important purpose of a DD-214 is for applying to receive various benefits for veterans like you. Most, if not all veteran benefits offered by the Department of Veteran Affairs as well as other government offices and even private institutions, can only be availed by those who were discharged by reasons other than dishonorable.

Here are some of the many veteran benefits you can apply for:

• VA home loans and housing assistance
• Automobile loans
• Education and training benefits
• Employment benefits
• Funeral and Burial benefits
• Health care
• Benefits for spouses, dependents, and survivors
• Disability compensation and pension
• Life insurance

Now, you might be wondering what sort of information is listed on a DD-214.

Well, here it is:

What Is the Information Listed on a DD-214?

As we mentioned earlier, your DD-214 details your entire military career- from your enlistment up to your separation from service. As such, it lists down several personal and career related information. 

Below is an overview of what kind of information is listed on your DD-214:

• Basic Personal Information- this includes your name, date of birth, Social Security number, and your Home of Record (HOR) at the time you entered the service
• Contact Information- these details how you can be reached after your separation from the military, such as your mailing address, and your nearest relative
• Basic Service Information- from your department and service branch component, to your rank and pay grade, it's all listed here. This also includes the locations of where you first entered the service, where you were last assigned, and where you were transferred or separated. Finally, it lists down the date when your reserve obligation ends.

• Specialties and Military Education- your DD-214 also details your primary and other specialties (listed down using Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) codes, and other branch- specific codes for areas of expertise), as well as your military education, such as any special skills training you have attended

• Awards and Decorations- this lists any awards, decorations, medals, badges, citations, and campaign ribbons that you have been awarded throughout your military career

• Creditable service- the total service creditable to you, as well as any foreign service, are also noted on your DD-214

• Type and reason for separation- your DD-214 also states why you separated from service, such as whether you are retiring, or due to other miscellaneous or general reasons, like if your contract of obligation has expired. It goes into detail on the specific reason for your separation, such as disability, pregnancy or parenthood, early release in order to attend school, and so on

• Character of Service- finally, the conditions of your discharge, such as if honorable, under honorable conditions, general, or dishonorable, are mentioned in your DD-214

What Does a DD-214 Look Like?

With all the time you have spent in the service, you most definitely have had to deal with seemingly endless paperwork, and are thus familiar with most forms and what they are used for.

A DD-214 is no different. Check out the sample DD-214 we included in the image above.

What are DD-214 Separation Codes?

You may have noticed that we said earlier that your DD-214 details your type and reason for separation. While a narrative reason for your separation from the service may be written down on the bottom part of your DD-214, under the "type of separation," what usually appears is just a separation code (SPN code).

There are dozens of SPN codes listing down all possible reasons on why a service member is leaving the military. You can check the full list through this link.

What is a DD-214 Service Number?

Depending on when you left the service, your DD-214 may display both your Social Security Number and your Service Number, or just the Social Security.

This is because a Service Number is a unique identifier that was assigned to service members back in the late 1910's to the early 1970's. Nowadays, your Social Security Number is typically used as you Service Number as well. 

Now that you know what a DD-214 is, what it contains, and what you can use it for, you might find yourself needing one (or more) copies sooner than you think. After all, you definitely do not want to miss out on taking advantage of your hard earned benefits as an honored veteran! 

Needless to say, you are issued a DD-214 upon your separation from the service. But if you didn't get one, you lost it, or you need more copies, there is no need to worry.

Here is how you can get a copy of your DD-214:

How do I get my DD-214?

All service members' DD-214 are stored in the National Archives through their eVetRecs system, in more than a hundred repositories throughout the country. You can request a copy of your DD-214 directly from them, which is free of charge.

You can process your request online, via mail, or through fax. Here is how:

1. Online- go to vetrecs.archives.gov and search for DD-214. Fill out the form and submit. (Or, you can search for the Standard Form (SF) 180, which is a request form for military records)
2. By mail- you can print out a copy of the Standard Form 180 and send it by mail to this address:

National Personnel Records Center

Military Personnel Records

1 Archives Drive

St. Louis, MO 63138

3. Through fax- alternatively, you can also fax your request form to 314-801-9195

Note that this may take weeks or even months, as the National Archives get thousands of requests regularly, and have more than a month's worth of backlog.

But, what if you need your DD-214  as soon as possible, and simply do not have the time to wait for such a long time?

We have good news for you:

You can also opt to hire a research company to source your DD-214 for you. There are quite a few companies that work specifically on DD-214 requests, and offer a time frame of one day to one week.

Some DD-214 research companies include DD214 Direct, EzDD214, and Touchstone Research Group. You can also check out the full list provided by the National Archives for hiring help.

So, why must you get a copy of your DD-214 again? In case it's not clear yet, let us summarize and reiterate the main reasons why.

Once I’m out of the military, do I still need a DD-214?

Your DD-214 is a proof of your military service and separation from the force. It details your skills, specialties, and military education, as well as awards and decorations you have received throughout the years. It also states why you were discharged, and whether you were discharged under honorable or dishonorable conditions.

Therefore, you need a DD-214 when applying for a civilian job after your time in the military, and more importantly, to receive veteran benefits, such as home loans, education assistance, and life insurance.

There are thousands of amazing benefits for veterans like you. Find out about the 29,000+ ways you can take advantage of these benefits by going to milversity.com/explore

Who Qualifies As a Veteran?

During your time in the military, you were classified as either a full time or part time service member, depending on your job description. 

Generally, active duty service members are considered as full timers, while members of the Reserves and the National Guard are considered as part timers. 

This is an important factor in determining your veteran status, and consequently, how much benefits you are eligible to receive.

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Active Duty Service Members: Veteran Status

Any individual who was previously on active duty service in the Army, Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard, and was discharged for reasons other than dishonorable, are considered as veterans. You can read the reference in Title 38 here.

This applies whether or not you were in combat or were injured during your service.

In terms of receiving benefits, the minimum requirement for how long you must have served on active duty is as follows:

• 30 consecutive days of active duty service before being discharged due to a service connected disability, or
• 90 days of active duty service on or after September 10, 2001, before being honorably discharged (for Post 9/11 GI Bill), or
• 2 years of active duty service before being honorably discharged (for Montgomery GI Bill- Active Duty)

So, as long as you were on active duty, served for the minimum required number of days, and was not dishonorably discharged, you are considered a veteran and can therefore receive veteran benefits.

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But, if you were a member of the National Guard, or Reserves in your respective service branch, things are a bit trickier.

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Reserves and National Guard: Veteran Status

First, let us define what these two terms mean:

While both of these serve the purpose of providing supplementary support to active duty forces under certain situations, there are some important differences, which are:

• The Reserves are members of individual service branches (Army, Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard) under the Department of Defense. When needed, they can be mobilized by the President and the Secretary of Defense.
• The National Guard (Army and Air) are unit forces of each state. When needed, they can be mobilized by their respective state governor, and by the President or the Secretary of Defense.

Both the Reserves and the National Guard personnel undergo basic military training and attend military job-specific training full time, and then participate in Inactive Duty Training every month, as well as a 14 or 15-day full time training once a year. 

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But, fulfilling these obligations do not automatically qualify you as a veteran.

In order to be considered a veteran (if you were a former member of the Reserves or the National Guard), you have to either:

• Have been deployed under federal orders, placing you on active duty status for the duration of your deployment. In this case, your deployment must meet the minimum requirements for active duty service members in order for you to be eligible to receive benefits. Or,
• Have been separated from service due to a disability that is connected to any required training. (If this is the case, you must have reported this injury to the VA and were given a disabled status)

Remember, simply finishing your service contract in the Reserves or National Guard does not qualify you as a veteran, unless you were deployed or were injured during training.

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One good caveat however:

A new law was passed that gives Guard and Reserve military members veteran status if they served 20 years or more. 

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Here’s some good news for those in the Guard and Reserves:

You are entitled to receive GI Bill benefits WHILE you are still in the Reserves or National Guard under the Montgomery GI Bill- Selected Reserve, as long as you meet their eligibility requirements.

Am I a Veteran if I Was Discharged During Basic Training?

Remember, according to Title 38, a Veteran is:

A person who served in the active military, naval, or air service, and who was discharged or released therefrom under conditions other than dishonorable.

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According to the Veteran Affairs Guidelines for establishing veteran status:

If you were discharged while still undergoing basic training (or any required training, for that matter), you are considered as a veteran if your discharge was due to a disability sustained because of your training. 

Again, this is provided that you reported the injury to the VA and were tagged with a training or service connected disability.

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Am I a Veteran if I Have a DD-214?

A DD-214 is a proof of discharge after being deployed under federal orders. If your discharge was due to reasons other than dishonorable, then you are considered as a veteran.

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Other Categories of Veterans

There are quite a few other individuals who have served the government that are classified as veterans. These are:

• Scouts of the Philippine Commonwealth Army who served between December 7, 1941 and January 1, 1947, and
• Commissioned officers of the Public Health Service, the Environmental Science Services Administration or the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, or its predecessor the Coast and Geodetic Survey, who have a DD-214 equivalent as a proof of service

Additionally, if you attended a military academy, you are also tagged as a veteran for the purposes of receiving financial aid through the Federal Student Aid.

As long as you are considered as a veteran, there are many different benefits and opportunities waiting for you. Here are some of them:

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What are the best benefits for veterans?

From home loans to tuition assistance, there is a seemingly endless supply of programs and benefits specifically designed to aid veterans in every way possible.

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Veteran Education Benefit

Perhaps one of the most popular and in demand benefit for veterans is the educational benefit provided by the GI Bill (and its counterparts). Through this program, you can get financial support from the VA in paying for tuition fees, housing, and books, as long as you meet certain qualifying requirements and are enrolled in a VA accredited program, school, or training facility.

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Veteran VA Home Loan

The VA Home Loan is a home loan guarantee for veterans who want to purchase a residential property. Through this program, you can avail of lower interest rates and downpayment requirements.  

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VA Medical Care

The Veterans Health Administration offers several types of medical care to eligible veterans. Qualifications for receiving medical assistance depends on several factors such as the nature of your discharge and the duration of your active duty service. 

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Disability Assistance

For all eligible veterans who were discharged because of a service connected disability, the VA offers several assistance programs, such as the Service-Disabled Veterans Insurance, Disability Compensation, and Disability Pension.  

Federal Jobs for Veterans

When it comes to the workplace, the government has a veteran preference in employing individuals for federal jobs. You can be eligible as long as your discharge from military service was honorable, and your rank is below a major.

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Veteran Funeral and Burial 

Finally, the Department of Defense delivers military funeral honors for all eligible veterans, under the request of the family. Furthermore, these eligible veterans also have the option to be buried in a VA National Cemetery.

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As you can see, there are a lot of interesting opportunities that you can take advantage of as an eligible veteran. If you want to find out more about 29,000+ other veteran opportunities, visit milversity.com/explore

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