Your military discharge papers are officially known as DD Form 214, or just DD214. All veterans receive this Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty once they are out of the military.
In a nutshell, the DD214 is proof of your military service. All branches use this same form. There may be no more important document, as it serves as the key to unlocking benefits of all kinds.
Treat your DD214 like gold, as this piece of paper is vital to many aspects of your life in the civilian world.
The DD214 -- DD stands for Defense Department -- provides veterans with an accurate and complete summary of their active military service. It usually lists dates of service, any commendations or medals received, the reason for separation and the type of discharge.
You are entitled to your military records free of charge, unless for whatever reason, you simply prefer to pay someone to help you obtain them. Be aware of advertisements that claim you have to pay to get your DD214, or that they can get it more quickly (they can't).
Tiffini is a Military.com content editor and writer who oversees editorial content for the site's email newsletters and seasonality pages. A journalist since 1996, she has been a reporter, editor, web producer, social media manager and journalism professor. Read Full Bio
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