DD FORM 214 INFORMATION

NOTE: If you are in the Regular Air Force you will need to contact the Air Force Personnel Center about your DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty. 

The DD Form 214 Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty provides Air Reserve Component (ARC) members with an accurate and complete summation of a period of qualifying active military service. This form also provides civil and government agencies with information needed to administer the federal and state laws and/or benefits that apply to members who separate from the military.

For instance, the Veterans Administration (VA) uses the form to determine eligibility for specific benefits and the Department of Labor uses it to assess eligibility for unemployment compensation. It also provides the military services an authoritative source of personnel information for administrative purposes, and for making enlistment or reenlistment eligibility determinations.

Additionally, the DD 214 will be used to determine re-employment rights. Inaccurate information on the DD 214 could result in a delay or denial of benefits.

Eligibility for ARC members to receive a DD 214 is different than for Regular Active Duty members. For ARC members, active-duty periods of time are often segmented and insufficient for the issuance of a DD 214. Unfortunately, there is not a statutory allowance to compile all your AD duty time into a comprehensive DD 214.  To be eligible for a DD 214, per AFI 36-3202 Chapter 2, and DODI 1336.01, the below criteria needs to be met:


1) Completed orders of 90 consecutive days or more of active duty service; OR
2) Served voluntarily in support of a Contingency Operation such as Inherent Resolve or Enduring Freedom, etc...for 30 consecutive days or more; OR
3) Placed on MEDCON/Med Hold orders for one or more consecutive days; OR
4) Involuntarily mobilized under Title 10, USC Section 688, 12301(a), 12302, 12304, 12305, 12406 or 331-335


**Effective 23 Jan 2019, any orders for Contingency and Mobilization must be for 30 days or more to be eligible for a DD 214. This is not retroactive, so any Contingency / Mobilization orders that began prior to 23 Jan 2019 only require 1 day or more to be eligible. **

This criterion also applies to the issuance of a Retirement DD 214. For the DD 214 to specify “Retirement,” members are required to be on qualifying orders until their effective date of retirement.

More information can be found through our Knowledge Article:

https://myfss.us.af.mil/USAFCommunity/s/knowledge-detail?pid=kA0t0000000LHxMCAW

WHY IS A DD 214 IMPORTANT?

The Report of Separation contains information that is used to verify your military service. The Veterans Administration (VA) uses the form to determine eligibility for specific benefits and the Department of Labor uses it to assess eligibility for unemployment compensation. Additionally, the DD Form 214 will be used to determine re-employment rights. It also provides the military services an authoritative source of personnel information for administrative purposes, and for making enlistment or reenlistment eligibility determinations. Inaccurate information on the DD Form 214 could result in a delay or denial of benefits.

Information shown on the Report of Separation may include the service member's:

Reserve Obligation Termination Date

Place of entry into active duty

Home of record at time of entry

Mailing address after separation

Last duty assignment and major command

Military job specialty

Military education

Decorations, medals, badges, citations, and campaign awards

Total creditable service

Foreign service credited

Separation information (type, character of service, authority/reason for separation, eligibility codes)


HOW DO I OBTAIN MY DD 214(s)?

There are multiple ways to obtain your DD Form 214. You can visit the VA/DoD website or log into myFSS and create a request. You may also visit the National Personnel Records Center website or contact the Total Force Service Center at 800-525-0102. Before you obtain your DD 214, check for your eligibility as a Guard or Reserve member first. 

Airman must have completed 90 continuous calendar days or more of active duty or active duty for training (ADT), or their initial active duty training tour (IADT).

Effective Jan. 23, 2019, any orders for Contingency and Mobilization must be for 30 days or more to be eligible for a DD 214. This is not retroactive, so any Contingency/Mobilization orders that began prior to January 23rd (2019) only require ONE day or more to be eligible.

If you are currently serving in uniform you can also visit your Military Personnel Section for answers and guidance.