Why This One Sheet Matters
Your DD‑214 is the Navy‑blue key to nearly every veteran benefit that matters—health care, VA home loans, school tuition breaks, even the folded flag at life’s end. Treat it like you do your birth certificate and Social Security card: irreplaceable.
How to Request Your Copy
| Fast Track | What to Do |
| milConnect | Sign in, follow the prompts (all branches except Coast Guard). |
| eBenefits | Log in, navigate to “Manage Your Records.” |
| National Archives (NPRC) | Use the online portal for digital or mailed delivery. |
| SF‑180 | Print, fill, sign, then mail / fax to the address on the form. |
Pro Tip: Coast Guardsmen—active or prior—start with the Deputy Commandant for Mission Support site, not milConnect.
After it arrives: Slip the form into a fireproof safe or bank deposit box. Snap a secure digital scan for backup, but keep that file off public clouds.
When a Shipmate Crosses the Bar—Requesting a Relative’s DD‑214
- Need it fast for burial honors?
Call the VA National Cemetery Scheduling Office: 800‑535‑1117. - Standard next‑of‑kin request:
- Go to the National Archives portal → “Start Request Online.”
- Confirm you’re legal next‑of‑kin (parent, spouse, child, sibling, or legal rep).
- Enter service details (branch, rank, component, purpose – choose “Emergency” if burial).
- Provide personal data (full name, SSN, date / place of birth, end‑of‑service date).
- Upload proof of death (death certificate or funeral‑home letter).
- Submit.
- Prefer paper? Print SF‑180, sign, attach proof, and mail / fax per the form’s instructions.
Heads‑Up Before You File
- The NPRC fields thousands of requests daily; 1912‑1964 records may have fire damage—patience required.
- Mark requests “Emergency” or note “natural disaster” in comments for priority handling.
- Need a voice on the line? NPRC Customer Service: 314‑801‑0800 (expect hold time and possible long‑distance charges).
DD‑214 Copies—Who Gets What
| Copy | Nickname | Where It Goes | Long/Short? |
| 1 | Member Copy 1 | You (short form) | Short |
| 2 | Service Copy 2 | Your branch HQ | Long |
| 3 | VA Copy 3 | Department of Veterans Affairs | Short |
| 4 | Member Copy 4 | You (if you initial Block 30) | Long |
| 5 | – | Department of Labor | Short |
| 6 | – | State VA Office (if you checked Block 20) | Short |
| 7 | – | Internal service use | Long |
| 8 | – | Internal service use | Long |
Long‑form copies (2, 4, 7, 8) list separation codes, reenlistment eligibility, and discharge character—exactly what employers or security clearance offices may need. If you’re missing Copy 4, a Service 2 replacement carries the same legal weight.
Long vs. Short Form—Know the Difference
- Short Form (Copy 1): Strips away discharge codes and reenlistment data—handy for simple proof of service.
- Long Form (Copy 4 or Service 2): Full narrative of your career’s final chapter—required for most benefits and sensitive job screens.
Why Agencies Ask for It
- Employment & Security Clearances – Verifies training, specialties, discharge status.
- Reenlistment or Guard/Reserve – Shows eligibility codes.
- VA Benefits – Confirms honorable service for compensation, health care, home loans.
- Funeral & Burial Honors – Establishes entitlement to a flag‑draped send‑off.
- Everyday ID – Many businesses accept it for veteran discounts.
Bottom Line
Getting—and safeguarding—your DD‑214 doesn’t have to feel like navigating heavy seas. Follow the steps above, log your request, and keep copies secured. Questions? Drop me a line and we’ll chart the course together.
