How can you obtain a DD 214 after you are discharged? Does anyone know the process?

PFC Marsha Preval — Fri, 15 Jan 2021 15:38:28 -0500

I was not given one when I got out of the Reserves.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 15 at 2021 3:41 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 15 Jan 2021 15:41:49 -0500

Look on ebenfits. Request for your record and you can get it that way

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 15 at 2021 4:09 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 15 Jan 2021 16:09:08 -0500

You don't get a DD214 when you separate the Reserves. You get one when you are discharged from any period of active duty 90 days or greater. I have two DD214s for my time in the NG and none when I was separated.

Response by Cpl Vic Burk made Jan 15 at 2021 7:25 PM

Cpl Vic Burk — Fri, 15 Jan 2021 19:25:31 -0500

Learn something new every day. I always thought everyone who served got a DD214 when they were discharged.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 16 at 2021 2:55 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 16 Jan 2021 02:55:46 -0500

You do not get a DD 214 from the Reserves. You get Discharge orders that should tell you what your Discharge type is. If you do not have your Discharge Orders (which would be very odd), you can submit a request to your old unit (depending on how long you've been out) or submit a request to the National Archives.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 17 at 2021 4:18 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 17 Jan 2021 16:18:11 -0500

As stated in another post you don't warrant a DD-214 unless you were active duty. The form is called the Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty. I have several from when I was in the National Guard because I was active duty in the National Guard.

Traditional Reservists, those that served their entire contract without an activation, will not have received a DD-214 except for the one they received at the completion of their initial military training (boot camp, basic training, job school). In the absence of a federal activation, the only discharge paperwork these troops will receive is a DD-256 – Honorable Discharge Certificate.