How to Read a DD214 Form for Military Discharge

Leaving the military is a massive transition. You go from a world of strict hierarchy, uniforms, and clear mission objectives to the freedom of civilian life. Amidst the paperwork, out-processing appointments, and moving boxes, there is one document that stands above the rest in importance: the DD Form 214.

Often called the "Report of Separation," this piece of paper is the key to unlocking the benefits you earned through your service. Whether you are applying for a VA home loan, seeking medical care, or proving your veteran status to a future employer, you will need your DD214 Form.

However, looking at the form can be confusing. It is a dense grid of blocks, codes, and abbreviations that might not make sense at first glance. Understanding what each section means is crucial to ensuring your record is accurate. Errors on this form can delay benefits or cause headaches down the road.

This guide breaks down the essential sections of the DD214, explains the mysterious codes, and tells you what to do if you spot a mistake. After reading this article, you should know how to read a DD214.

What is a DD Form 214?

The Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, widely known as the DD214, is the official document issued by the Department of Defense upon a service member's retirement, separation, or discharge from active duty.

Think of it as the ultimate résumé of your military career. It verifies your military service for benefits, retirement, employment, and membership in veterans' organizations. It contains information regarding:

• Date and place of entry into active duty
• Home address at time of entry
• Date and place of release from active duty
• Home address after separation
• Last duty assignment and rank
• Military job specialty
• Military education
• Decorations, medals, badges, citations, and campaign awards
• Total creditable service
• Foreign service credited
• Separation information (type of separation, character of service, authority and reason for separation, separation and reentry codes)

Why is it So Important?

Without a valid DD214, accessing the benefits promised to you is nearly impossible. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) uses this form to determine eligibility for:

• Disability Compensation: Proving that an injury or illness occurred during service.
• Education Benefits: Accessing the GI Bill requires proof of honorable service.
• Home Loans: The VA Home Loan Guarantee program requires a Certificate of Eligibility, which is obtained using the DD214.
• Burial Benefits: Eligibility for burial in a national cemetery and a military headstone.

Employers often request it to apply veterans' preference points in hiring, and many states offer property tax exemptions or license plate privileges based on the data in this document.

A Section-by-Section Guide on How to Read a DD214

The form is divided into numbered blocks. While every block matters, some carry more weight regarding your benefits and future opportunities.

Personal Information (Blocks 1-5)

The top section is straightforward. It includes your name, service number (or Social Security Number), grade, rank, and rate.

Block 1: Name (Last, First, Middle).

Block 2: Department (e.g., Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard and Space Force).

Block 3: Social Security Number.

Block 4a/b: Grade, Rate, or Rank (e.g., SGT, PO2, Capt) and Pay Grade (e.g., E-5, O-3).

Block 5: Date of Birth.

Check this section carefully. A typo in your name or SSN can cause significant identity verification issues with the VA.

Service Dates and Station (Blocks 12)

This section calculates exactly how much time you served.

Block 12a: Date Entered AD (Active Duty) This Period.

Block 12b: Separation Date This Period.

Block 12c: Net Active Service This Period. This calculates the years, months, and days of your most recent contract.

Block 12d: Total Prior Active Service.

Block 12f: Foreign Service. This is vital for certain tax benefits or specific veterans organizations membership eligibility requirements.

Ensure these dates align with your actual service. Gaps in time or miscalculations can affect retirement points or time-in-service requirements for the GI Bill.

Awards and Education (Blocks 13-14)

This is where your achievements live.

Block 13: Decorations, Medals, Badges, Citations, and Campaign Ribbons Awarded or Authorized. If you earned a Purple Heart, a Bronze Star, or a Campaign Medal, it must be listed here. Missing awards can affect eligibility for specific benefits or preferences in federal hiring.

Block 14: Military Education. This lists formal service schools, courses, and training periods. It helps civilian employers understand the technical training you received.

Character of Service (The Bottom Section)

For many veterans, the bottom portion of the form—specifically the "Member-4" copy—is the most critical. This section dictates the "quality" of your discharge.

Block 23: Type of Separation (e.g., Discharge, Release from Active Duty).

Block 24: Character of Service. This is usually the first thing employers and the VA look for.

Honorable: You met or exceeded the standards of conduct and performance. This grants access to all VA benefits.

General (Under Honorable Conditions): You served satisfactorily but perhaps had minor disciplinary issues. You are eligible for most benefits, but usually not the GI Bill.

Other Than Honorable (OTH): Usually results from security violations, assault, or drug use. It severely limits access to benefits.

Bad Conduct / Dishonorable: Resulting from Court-Martial; these disqualify you from virtually all veteran benefits.

Block 26: Separation Code (SPD Code). These are three or four-letter codes that provide the specific reason for your discharge (e.g., expiration of term of service, pregnancy, hardship, disability).

Block 27: Reentry Code (RE Code). This code tells recruiters if you are eligible to rejoin the military. For example, an RE-1 code allows you to reenlist without issue, while an RE-4 code typically bars reenlistment.

Note: The standard "Member-1" copy of the DD214 does not contain the Character of Service or Separation Codes. You usually need the "Member-4" copy to apply for benefits.

Common Codes and What They Mean

The Separation Program Designator (SPD) and Reentry (RE) codes are essentially military shorthand. This is one of the most important things to learn in how to read a DD214.

Common Reentry (RE) Codes

RE-1: Eligible for reenlistment.

RE-2: Ineligible for reenlistment (often due to retirement).

RE-3: Eligible for reenlistment, but requires a waiver (often due to a disqualifying factor like a medical condition or age).

RE-4: Strictly ineligible for reenlistment.

Common Separation Codes

These are more cryptic (e.g., MBK, KBK, LBK). They explain the specific regulatory reason you left.

LBK: Involuntary discharge at the end of a contract.

MBK: Voluntary completion of required active service.

JEA: Early release for education.

If you don't know what your code means, you can search for a "Separation Program Designator (SPD) Codes" list online or consult a Veteran Service Officer (VSO).

What If My DD214 Is Wrong?

It is important to learn how to read a DD214 because you can’t tell if it is wrong or correct if you don’t know how to read it. You receive your DD214 before you officially leave. You typically have a chance to review a draft (worksheet) version. This is your best chance to fix errors. Check the spelling of your name, your awards, your foreign service time, and your dates of rank.

If you have already separated and find an error, all is not lost, but the process takes longer.

• Gather Evidence: You cannot just say the form is wrong; you must prove it. This is why how to read a DD214 is important. Find orders, award citations, or old leave and earnings statements (LES) that support your claim.
• File a DD Form 215: This is a "Correction to DD Form 214."
• Contact the Board for Correction of Military Records (BCMR): Each branch of service has its own board. You will likely need to submit a DD Form 149 (Application for Correction of Military Record).

This process can take months. It is highly recommended that you work with a VSO from organizations like the VFW, American Legion, or DAV to assist with the paperwork.

Securing Your Legacy

Your DD214 is proof of your sacrifice and service. It is more than administrative red tape; it is a permanent record of a significant chapter of your life.

Once you have your DD214, make multiple copies. Keep the original in a fireproof safe. Many veterans also choose to register their DD214 with their county clerk's office. This puts the document on public record (though privacy options exist) so that if you lose your copy, you can easily retrieve a certified copy from the county rather than waiting on the National Archives.

Understanding this document empowers you to claim the benefits you earned and ensures your military history is preserved accurately for generations to come.