The DD Form 214 is a complete and thorough document that verifies a service member’s proof of military service. This Certificate of Release or Discharge form is issued through the Department of Defense and is typically issued at the final out-processing appointment prior to retirement or separation.
The DD 214 document contains information required to verify the veteran’s time in service. Therefore, it is considered a vital piece of documentation since it is needed in order to obtain necessities such as benefits and retirement.
The information found on the form can also be used for the veteran’s future employment, membership in veteran organizations, or a proof of service for businesses offering military discounts. It gives good insight into the veteran and his/her work history since it includes among other things, the service member’s:
- Date and place of entry into active duty
- Home address at time of entry
- Military job specialty
- Military education
- Decorations, medals, badges, citations, campaign awards
- Last duty assignment and rank
- Overseas Service
- Combat Service
- Separation information
- Type of separation
- Character of service
- Authority
- Reason for separation
- Separation and enlistment eligibility codes
The form also provides a condition of discharge for the service member. For example, the veteran may be given a status of honorable, general, other than honorable or bad conduct which may be helpful to a potential employer or lender.
Additionally, the DD-214 can also be used to gain access to an abundance of other benefits including home loans, GI benefits, funeral/cemetery accommodations and veteran affairs health care.
This is why it is crucial for every veteran to secure their DD-214 form in a safe place so that they may gain quick access to it when the situation arises. If the form gets lost or misplaced, the service member or next of kin can request a copy through the National Personnel Records Center at the National Archives in St. Louis, Missouri
Difference Between Long vs. Short DD214 Discharge Forms
There are two versions of the DD214 issued by the government
- Short form (aka the deleted Form of Separation or edited Form of Separation)
- Long form (aka the undeleted Form of Separation)
The long form contains information about the service member’s character of discharge which could include information regarding the circumstances surrounding a discharge in a positive or negative light. Government Agencies and employers often ask for the long form because discharge status is relevant.
- Member 1 Copy, is a shorter version of the Member 4 Copy
- Service 2 Copy (long form) – sent to the military service (service member’s records); kept by the government
- Copy 3 – sent to the VA
- Member 4 Copy (long form) – is provided by the branch of service and given to the servicemember upon discharge (if requested, DD214 Box 30)
- Copy 5 – sent to the Department of Labor (DOL)
- Copy 6 – sent to the appropriate state VA office (if requested)
- Copy 7 – Used in accordance with the appropriate service regulations
- Copy 8 – Used in accordance with the appropriate service regulations
Copies 3, 5, 6, 7 and 8 have blocks 25 (separation authority), 26 (separation code), and 27 (reentry code) redacted. These copies are also known as the short form.
For local help contact Your State or County Veteran Service Center you can find the Washington and North Idaho information int “How can I get Help?” section in this publication.