Posted on Apr 26, 2017
Is it common for service members to file their DD 214 with the local county clerk's office when they retire or leave the service?
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Should there be any cause of concern of the system checks failing that could allow someone to view your documents besides the actual service member? While filing it with the local county clerk's office is beneficial in many ways, there still are retirees and former service members who remain hesitant to choose that option.
Retirement
ETS/EAS
DD214
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 16
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Please do not file your DD214 with your local county clerk. This is strongly recommended against in your SFL-TAP process. Filing with the county clerk makes your DD214 public record and anybody can gain access to it, with positive or negative intentions.
If you're looking for a way to get your DD214 easily accessible, scan it to yourself and safe it somewhere securely.
If you're looking for a way to get your DD214 easily accessible, scan it to yourself and safe it somewhere securely.
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SGT Charles Napierala
SSgt Donnavon Smith
When was your TAP class conducted? Mine was in 2016 and the instructors stated that filing your DD214 does nothing additionally beneficial than depositing it in a safety deposit box or scanning yourself a copy, but adds unnecessary additional risk of falling victim to identity theft.
When was your TAP class conducted? Mine was in 2016 and the instructors stated that filing your DD214 does nothing additionally beneficial than depositing it in a safety deposit box or scanning yourself a copy, but adds unnecessary additional risk of falling victim to identity theft.
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Capt (Join to see)
I was told to do so when I left active duty and I did. Years later I tried to redeem it and it could not be found.
But, remember I lever active duty 42 years ago.
But, remember I lever active duty 42 years ago.
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CPT Jacob Swartout
In this day & age of electronic media, I personally don't see a need. I always keep a few paper copies on hand (stored securely).
I also have mine saved on external hard drives, a few laptops, desktops, & even the cloud. I also recommend keeping a copy on a thumb drive (but only if you don't have a habit of losing something like that). Thumb drives, while easily accessible and transportable, are also pretty unsecure (secure flash drives can cost big $$).
In this day & age of electronic media, I personally don't see a need. I always keep a few paper copies on hand (stored securely).
I also have mine saved on external hard drives, a few laptops, desktops, & even the cloud. I also recommend keeping a copy on a thumb drive (but only if you don't have a habit of losing something like that). Thumb drives, while easily accessible and transportable, are also pretty unsecure (secure flash drives can cost big $$).
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CPT Jacob Swartout
PO1 John Miller I have fire proof safe that I can store mine when I do retire some day. I'll be sure to keep a few copies too. I can keep it digitally and have a hard copy filed safely. I'll still consider other reasonable options when that time comes.
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COL (Join to see)
You can easily encrypt your documents prior to saving to flash drives (or CD/DVDs, for that matter). Open source (free) software is available for both Windows and iOS platforms - check out http://www.gnupg.org
GnuPG is a complete and free implementation of the OpenPGP standard asdefined by RFC4880 (also known as PGP). GnuPG allows to encrypt andsign your data and communication, features a versatile key managementsystem as well as access modules for all kinds of public keydirectories. GnuPG, also known as GPG, is a command line tool withfeatures for easy integration with other applications. A wealth offrontend applications and libraries are...
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Absolutely ! It makes it a public record but more importantly it will be safe keeping in case you need a certified true copy or your family ever wants to research your career after your gone or in the event your incompasitated.
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SFC Craig Starr
Mine is on file at my home or record courthouse, where I grew up and entered service. And I have it on file where I retired, and currently live.
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LtCol Robert Quinter
SFC C Star listed valid reasons for filing with the county clerk. I would almost guarantee my survivors would have no idea where to find mine on my computer or in my files were it required in an emergency. If you are concerned with it becoming public record, although the entire DD-214 can not be released to other than the serviceperson or his guardian, most of the information, except for the nature of discharge and the re-enlistment code, are available to the general public upon request.
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SPC Erich Guenther
LtCol Robert Quinter - Agreed the DD214 is a public document because when you serve your doing so in a public capacity. Veterans have zero control over public release because of the copy at the National Archives.
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MSgt John McGowan
It may depend on county's but mine I believe is well secured. Not viewed by the public.
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