A DD214 is an official document that verifies military service. It is officially called DD Form 214 Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty. Currently, the Army and Air National Guards use a different form number and name: NGB Form 22 Report of Separation and Military Service. However, the military plans to replace the form with a new standardized form called the DD Form 214-1 by 2025.
If you ever need VA benefits of any kind, the first document you will need is your DD214. Without your discharge papers, you can’t get a veteran ID card or apply for a VA home loan, and you will not be able to receive disability benefits, health benefits, or retirement. The document is also something your family will need in the unfortunate event of your death. It will provide them with access to survivor benefits that will help pay for your funeral expenses and military burial rites.
To learn more about how to get a DD-214, read our blog post here:
