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Discharge / Military Records

DD Form 214, Discharge Papers and Separation Documents

Contents of the DD 214 / Report of SeparationA Certificate of Release or Report of Separation is generally issued when a service member performs active duty or at least 90 consecutive days of active duty training.It is used to prove military service for benefits, retirement, employment, and membership in veterans' organizations. Information  may include the service member's: Date and place of entry into active duty; Home address at time of e more...

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Discharge Conditions

When a member of the Armed Forces is released from their obligation to serve, he or she receives a formal discharge which is identified on the DD-214 Certificate of Release or other separation documents.  There are five ways to characterize a discharge: • Honorable; • General (under honorable conditions); • Under Other than Honorable Conditions (UOTHC); more...

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Request Military Service Records or Prove Military Service

Service members and their families sometimes need to request new copies of the important records documenting military service, including the DD-214. It is very important to use the official Department of Defense records in proving eligibility for benefits.  Beware of private companies that advertise to get these records outside the usual process.  The best way to request these documents is from the more...

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Benefits at Separation

How To Use This ChartThis is a quick summary of several important benefits. The chart shows whether you may qualify, based on your discharge status. For more information, search for the benefit by name or follow the links in the left hand column. In the right hand column you can follow the links more...

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Discharge Problems Associated with Traumatic Brain Injury

Receiving either a bad conduct discharge or a personality disorder discharge can result in serious negative consequences for a person suffering from a TBI or PTSD. So it is important to understand each of these discharges and how they relate to TBI.  more...

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