The DD-214 is the single most-referenced document of a veteran's military service. A block-by-block guide to what each field on the form represents and how to correct errors that would otherwise block future benefits.
The DD-214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, is the foundational document for nearly every veteran benefit. It records the dates of service, the type of separation, the characterization of service, the reentry code, and a summary of accumulated awards and decorations. State and federal agencies, employers running background checks, and the VA all reference it. Errors on the form are common — sometimes consequential for benefits, sometimes administrative — and they can be corrected after separation through a specific process.
Block 12: dates of service. The dates listed here are the active-duty service dates this DD-214 covers. A veteran with multiple periods of active duty will have a separate DD-214 for each period. The dates determine many benefit eligibilities — the GI Bill eligibility tier, presumptive periods for service-connected claims, qualifying wartime service for the pension benefit, and more. Errors in the dates — wrong start, wrong end, wrong inclusive periods — appear regularly and are worth verifying against personnel records carefully.
Block 24: character of service. This is the characterization line. Honorable, Under Honorable Conditions (General), Other Than Honorable, Bad Conduct, Dishonorable, or Uncharacterized. The characterization is the single field that controls most benefit eligibility — only Honorable and General typically qualify for VA benefits without additional review. OTH discharges require Character of Discharge review by the VA for some benefits, and Bad Conduct and Dishonorable discharges generally do not qualify. The discharge upgrade process changes this block on the underlying record; the original DD-214 is not replaced but supplemented with the corrected information.
Block 25: separation authority. This block cites the specific regulatory provision under which the separation was processed. It tells the reader the basis for the separation — chapter and section of the service's regulations governing the type of separation. For service members later seeking discharge upgrades, this block is the starting point for identifying which review process applies.
Block 26: separation code. The Separation Program Designator code is a three-letter code summarizing the reason for the separation. The full list of codes is published in DoD Manual 1336.01 and is part of the public record. Codes for medical separation, completion of obligated service, hardship discharge, retirement, and various administrative separations appear here. Employers do not typically know how to read SPD codes but some do, and the code can carry information beyond what appears in the characterization.
Block 27: reentry code. The RE code summarizes eligibility for return to military service. RE-1 means fully eligible to reenter. RE-3 means eligible with a waiver. RE-4 means ineligible for return. The reentry code is sometimes relevant for civilian employers who verify military discharge as part of background checks, particularly in security-cleared positions and law enforcement. RE-4 codes accompanying otherwise Honorable discharges are not uncommon for medical separations and do not necessarily reflect on the service member's conduct.
Block 28: narrative reason for separation. This is the plain-language explanation that pairs with the SPD code. It appears on the DD-214 as a phrase describing why the service member is separating. Some narrative reasons — particularly those involving characterization-relevant misconduct or behavioral health — can affect civilian employment background checks. The Defense Logistics Agency publishes a list of narrative reasons and the SPD codes they pair with.
Corrections. Errors on the DD-214 are corrected through Form DD-149, application for correction of military record, submitted to the service's Board for Correction of Military Records. Common corrections include missing decorations or awards earned but not listed, incorrect total active service time, misstated characterization, and SPD codes that do not match the actual basis for separation. The board process is paperwork-driven and typically takes several months to a year for routine corrections; longer for more complex issues. There is no fee.
Practical notes. Order a certified copy of the DD-214 from the National Personnel Records Center through the eVetRecs portal or by paper Form SF-180. Multiple certified copies are useful — the form is frequently requested as an original by state agencies for veteran-specific benefits, by mortgage lenders for VA loan processing, by employers in some industries. Keeping three or four certified copies in long-term storage and ordering more when anticipated need arises is a reasonable practice. Photocopies are acceptable for most purposes; certified originals are required for some.