DD Form 214

What this form is

DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty. The Department of Defense issues this form to every service member at separation, retirement, or release from active duty. Veterans present it to prove active service, characterization of service, and reenlistment eligibility when claiming VA benefits, state benefits, and veteran-preference employment. Fillable PDF on file from the 2026-04 forms archive snapshot.

Warnings printed on the form

CAUTION: NOT TO BE USED FOR IDENTIFICATION PURPOSES. ANY ALTERATIONS IN SHADED AREAS RENDER FORM VOID. THIS IS AN IMPORTANT RECORD. SAFEGUARD IT.

The form carries no Privacy Act purpose block on its face. Member copies 1 and 4 differ. Copy 4 shows the characterization of service and reenlistment code, so most benefit offices ask for copy 4.

Who prepares, signs, and files

In the Marine Corps, the IPAC outbound counselor produces the form through the Document Tracking and Management System (DTMS) in Marine Online per MCO 1900.16 Chapter 1 Section 2 paragraphs 1200 through 1205. The S-1 chief validates the DD Form 214WS worksheet against MCTFS source data and the Appendix B block-by-block instructions. The S-1 officer signs by direction after sponsorship routing per paragraph 1204, and the Marine signs receipt at separation. PAA 02-22 authorizes digital signatures for both the member in block 21a and the signing official in block 22b. The signed form lands in MCTFS, in the OMPF per MCO P1070.12K Chapter 2, and in the Marine's hand.

When the form triggers

Per paragraph 1202, every release from active duty triggers the form, including Reservists releasing from more than 30 consecutive days of active duty. The series includes the 214WS worksheet for pre-separation review, the 214C continuation sheet, and the DD Form 215 for post-separation corrections routed through MMSR-2. The SPD code from Appendix A drives the narrative reason per paragraph 1205, and Appendix I sets the RE code. The workflow maps to NAVMC 3500.3E T&R event 0170-PERA-2002.

Connection to Marine Corps policy

PAA 07-25 standardizes DD Form 214 entries for FY26 enlisted-to-warrant-officer WOBC attendees and holds certification until MCTFS confirms the appointment. MARADMIN 132/22 ties separation and retirement award reporting to the terminal leave window so the award posts before the form issues. The portal walks preparation at the S-1 DD Form 214 Preparation page.

Status and access

The external link opens the official form page. Verify the current edition and block instructions against MCO 1900.16 before certifying.