First things first,
veterans do NOT need a Member 4 Copy
to provide proof of service in any situation to acquire benefits. The Member 4 Copy is what's provided by the branch of service and given to the servicemember upon discharge—typically along with a Member 1 Copy, which is a shorter version of the Member 4 Copy.
What is a Member 4 copy?
The “Member Copy 4” is
the undeleted copy of the DD214 provided to the “Service Member” at ETS
. It is typically mailed to the service member at their Home of Record several weeks after separation (along with the short-copy, Member 1).
What is a member 1 DD 214?
There are eight original DD214 copies. All but Member 1, the “short form” copy, contain information as to the nature and type of discharge, and the re-enlistment code. This code is
used to determine whether or not the service member can go back into the service
.
How do I get a Member 4 copy of my DD 214?
- Mail or fax a Request Pertaining to Military Records (Standard Form SF 180) to the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC). …
- Write a letter to the NPRC. …
- Visit the NPRC in person.
- Contact your state or county Veterans agency.
Do reservists get a DD 214 member 4?
Members of
the Reserve Corp only receive a DD Form 214 when they served on active duty
– usually after initial training, and after separating from active duty after serving at least 90 consecutive days. If you served in the Guard or Reserves, but were never activated, you may not have a DD Form 214.
Does DD214 Show deployments?
However, because the DD 214 has become a touchstone in proving one's service record, it ballooned to include not only key information like years of service, career field and rank, but awards, education, deployments and units of assignment.
Does a DD214 make you a veteran?
The DD 256 and 257 are issued when the person has not met the active duty requirements to be considered a veteran by the DoD. But having a
DD214 form doesn't automatically mean you are a veteran
! What is truly bothersome is that people who have served but don't qualify as a veteran can request a DD214.
What is a member 4 DD214?
First things first, veterans do NOT need a Member 4 Copy to provide proof of service in any situation to acquire benefits. The Member 4 Copy is
what's provided by the branch of service
and given to the servicemember upon discharge—typically along with a Member 1 Copy, which is a shorter version of the Member 4 Copy.
What is a DD215?
The DD 214 is formally known as DD Form 214,
Report of Separation / Certificate of Release or Discharge From Active Duty
. It contains important information about the duration, nature, and characterization of the retired or separated veteran's military service.
Can I request someone else's DD214?
The Privacy Act of 1974 limits access to a veteran's DD214 to
only the service member
(either past or present) or the member's legal guardian; only these persons will have access to almost any information contained in that member's own record.
Is a DD 214 an honorable discharge?
The DD214 provides proof of service and, in
most cases, proof of honorable discharge from the military
. Having this information in hand is essential if you want to take advantage of a range of benefits and services only available to veterans. This includes: … Education and training benefits.
How long does it take to get a DD 214?
Requesting your Documents
DD-214s can be requested either on-line or by mail. You will receive your DD-214 from the Archives in
about about three to four weeks
. You must have a working printer attached to your computer if you use the online request form. For a mail request, you can download the paper application here.
Can I view my DD 214 online?
Most veterans and their next of kin can
obtain FREE copies
of their DD Form 214 (Report of Separation) via online access. To use the system, you must be a military veteran, next of kin of a deceased member of the military, or former member of the military.
Is a 6 year reservist considered a veteran?
Thus former or current members of the National Guard or Reserves are
not considered to be veterans
unless they had prior or subsequent service with an active component of the Armed Forces. (Reservists called to active duty by Executive Order qualify as veterans.)
Why are Reservists not considered veterans?
Every single branch of the military has its own reserves. When you join the reserves, you complete basic training and military school and then you go back to your civilian life. At this point, since
you're not considered to be active duty
, you're not considered a veteran.
Does 6 years in the National Guard make you a veteran?
Does 6 years in the National Guard make you a veteran?
Yes
, if you spent at least 180 days of that 6 years deployed on federal active duty orders. A 2016 change to federal law expanded the definition of “veteran” for many National Guard members.
