DD214

[A-37]

Def: 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 (Active and Reserve), awards and medals, and other pertinent service information, such as highest rank/rate and pay grade held on active duty, total military combat service and/or overseas service, etc.

In other words, it's the most important document a serviceman has in his records and is needed for some job applications and other purposes.

I have several copies of my DD214 and they're all beginning to fade. I requested a copy from the Records Center in St. Louis a few months ago.

Got a letter from them last week:

"We have been unable to locate your records. It was removed from the file area in order to respond to a prior inquiry(?). Please be assured that we will continue to do all that is possible to locate...blah blah blah...."

Yes, I know there was a big fire in the Records Center years ago but my records were not burned up. They were removed and got lost.

The second page states:

"We really want to know how we did answering your inquiry. Please complete the survey."

 

[dubtap21]

Wow......I'm at a loss for words.

Sent from my SM-N930T using Tapatalk

 

[Grayfox]

When I got out of the Army in 1975, I was advised to have a copy of my DD214 recorded with the County Clerk. I did and it was good advice.

Yeah, I know all about .gov and their tendency to "lose" paperwork. When my wife filled for Social Security Disability, they kept "losing" her records and she had to fill out the same forms over and over again. Its all part of the system to piss you off so bad that you just give up.
Finally, a call to our local congress critter got them to miraculously find everything and there we no further problems.
Maybe you should make a call to yours.

 

[crazyphil]

Think of places where you have left a copy of your DD214. For example
one time I needed a copy and was able to get one from the VA Medical
Center. The last time I needed a copy I got one from the funeral home
where I have my pre-arrangements made.
Or, if you have a low tolerance for frustration and a lot of time, you can
keep dealing with the record center.

 

[max]

If I remember correctly, I have copies on file with the County Clerk where i grew up and also with the one where I live now. I ran across a copy last night, while going through my paperwork for my CCW.

I worked with vets when I first got out, and I would make copies for them and urge them strongly to put it on file with the county clerk.

 

[Rastoff]

A few years back I scanned my DD214 into my computer. I have not removed the original doc from it's resting place since.

As a side note, the info on the DD214 is not always accurate. Case in point; I served 5 years on active duty, but it seems I spent 4 years 111 months (13 years 4 months) in my career field:

I think they owe me back pay.

 

[Golddollar]

For what it's worth, the DD214 is not the exclusive form recording a veteran's discharge. My grandfather was a veteran of World War I and his discharge and service record was on a form that apparently predated the DD214. I luckily found it recorded at the Jefferson County, PA courthouse. It did the job to show I was eligible to join the Sons of the American Legion and VFW Auxiliary.

 

[LVSteve]

A few years back I scanned my DD214 into my computer. I have not removed the original doc from it's resting place since.

As a side note, the info on the DD214 is not always accurate. Case in point; I served 5 years on active duty, but it seems I spent 4 years 111 months (13 years 4 months) in my career field:

I think they owe me back pay.

You should of seen the fiction the State Department decided should be on my visa post 9/11.

 

[TomkinsSP]

You should of seen the fiction the State Department decided should be on my visa post 9/11.

You mean you DIDN'T participate in that attempt to seize the Arsenals at Concord and Lexington?

 

[Simson-Suhl]

In my Jr. year of high school,I enlisted in the USNR for 8 years doing the once a week drill and the two week boot camp at Great Lakes. On graduation from High School I applied for three years active duty and Damage Control School. I was placed on a three month waiting list which was not with in my line of thought so the next day I enlisted in the regular Navy. Reserve boot camp did not count so I did the standard boot camp in San Diego. My rate at enlistment was FA striking for Damage Control rating, however, after a hearing test the Navy decided for me to attend the Fleet Sonar School in San Diego. After the 6 month school I was sent to the East Coast to the USS Bulwark MSO 425. After my four USN years I was in a transfer mode to the nonactive Reserve. Three years later I received my honorable discharge as an SOG2 USNR. I never did receive a DD 214. When I applied for my Social Security their office tried contacting the USN records for it. All they could discover was the fact that I served in the USN.

 

[OLDNAVYMCPO]

Simson=suhl, I'm sorry that you got screwed by the system, it happens. I've had similar screw-ups happen to me. Orders lost, schools or courses not recorded in my record, some by honest accident but some in jealousy.

I, very early in my career followed the lead of my mentor and saved every single piece of paperwork that I received while in the military and in my gov job. I can't count the number of times having those records bailed me out of difficulties. I still have the whole record to this day, five huge notebooks full. Each sheet in a plastic page protector.

I have a very close friend who served with me in the BEES. Like you, he had both active and reserve time. His active time was during Viet Nam and his reserve time went into Desert Storm. His record was so screwed up between the two that he couldn't get promoted and was finally forced out on "high year tenure", that program that required promotion within a specified period or out.

Again, I'm sorry for your difficulties.

 

[Rastoff]

I never did receive a DD 214. When I applied for my Social Security their office tried contacting the USN records it. All they could discover was the fact that I served in the USN.

This right here is why the DD214 is so important. If you had one, there would have been no issue.

Whoever helped you through the discharge process did you a huge disservice. Since early in basic I was told to hold on to my DD214 for dear life. When I was in whatever office getting my discharge papers, I wasn't leaving until I had a DD214 in my hands. Fortunately for me, they had the same feeling and wouldn't let me leave until I had it.

It is one of my most important documents. It resides with my birth certificate, high school diploma and marriage certificate. Frankly at this point in my life the last two aren't that big of a deal anymore.

 

[chiefbob81]

"We have been unable to locate your records. It was removed from the file area in order to respond to a prior inquiry(?). Please be assured that we will continue to do all that is possible to locate...blah blah blah...."

If you opened a claim for disability with the VA (or something related) that would account for the removal of your records.

Check with your State Department of Veteran Affairs if your state has one, or wait six months and resubmit the SF 180 form to the VA again.

Let us know how you make out. I used to work at a Vet Center and sometimes digging was required to find our clients' DD214's, I used to like the challenge.

Good Luck!

 

[Rustyt1953]

I have copies of mine and keep one in my wallet as it is the only document I have that proves my citizenship.

 

[jimmyj]

Fire in the Military Records Department at St. Louis, Mo. in 1973 destroyed a lots of records.

 

[Simson-Suhl]

A little humor about my Navy service, I attended two boot camps, Great Lakes and San Diego, completed standard ASW 6 month Sonar School course , moved from the West Coast to the East Coast, to the USS Bulwark MSO 425. Mine sweepers have a total different type of sonar, so off to the Fleet Sonar School at Key West for the two month UOL course. And then the only time the UOL set was in operation was entering and leaving port or when we were sweeping a pre-laid mine field for training.
What did did Sonarmen do on sweeps? We stood Radar watches, either on the set or the plot. I have always thought I could pass the Radarman's Third Class test. As far as sonar, I never saw an ASW set after leaving the San Diego school. A Fireman striker changed to a Sonarman who never stood a standard sonar watch and still made SOG2. And that is because of the training of the sonar school. "Wooden Ships and Iron Men" The Toothpick Navy, The Splinter Fleet.