I am curious how long it takes to receive your DD214 once a member is retired?

If I retire the end of July is it reasonable to think I might receive it by the end of August?

I have read that some received it the day they walked off the base. Some received it in the mail. I would think that I would receive it in the mail as my PSD is in another state (Millington, TN)

I was active duty and the packet I got to take with me when I mustered out had that DD-214 in it. You should recieve it the day your discharged.

The DD214 is a separation form that I would find most beneficial to read before it is accepted by the departing member. Read the DD214 before accepting it. The DD214 is the "ticket" of authenticity of one's service.

I recently applied for a Vet's benefit and the first thing they wanted to see was my DD214. No DD214, or a DD214 with incorrct data may mean no benefits when being applied for.

It should be in your hand when you depart on your last day of active duty. I cannot think of any reason why not, unless computers have slowed down that process also.

I hope so. That would certainly speed up the VA disability process as I could a copy to them right away.

Agreed. You should have the opportunity to sit down with your personellman (PS now I think) and go over your 214 before it is signed. DO NOT just glance over it and check your SSN. Check EVERY entry. Look especially for anything that may be missing. This is VERY important, because as sb5 said, this is THE official record of your military service.

Once you have had the opportunity to review it, they will print out and sign your copy right then. If you would like (and I highly recommend) they will also print off and sign more than one so that you can have certified true copies.

Thanks for the info. I did find out some additional information which may be helpful for others. Since my PSD is in Millington, TN (I am in TX) they (PSD) start the process and send my command a draft for my CCC and I to review. Once reviewed it is sent back to PSD and once I actually retire they send it to the address I put on the DD214. My CCC said it usually takes less than a month to receive.

quote:

Originally posted by NavyDental:
Thanks for the info. I did find out some additional information which may be helpful for others. Since my PSD is in Millington, TN (I am in TX) they (PSD) start the process and send my command a draft for my CCC and I to review. Once reviewed it is sent back to PSD and once I actually retire they send it to the address I put on the DD214. My CCC said it usually takes less than a month to receive.

Navy Dental
The only address contained within my DD214 at the time of Retirement is "Your Home of Record at the time of entry into Active Duty". Therefore, your "Home of Record" may be a different address than the one you intend to travel to and reside at after you Retire.

As an example, I Retired in Wash DC. My intended forthcoming place of post-Retirement residence was on the West Coast, differnet than my "Home of Record".

Go over every block on the DD214 they send to you for review. Double check the blocks that contain the Reason for Retirement and the block reflecting the Character of Service. Insure these entries reflect Honorable service.

I (and Gerry) just went thru a Vet's application for a benefit. The person reviewing my benefit papers hawkeyed at a distnce of 3 feet right to the block on my DD214 that reflected "Honorable" as Character of Service. Had it not reflected "Honorable" the application would have stopped right there.

Good information, thank you. I have actually never seen a DD214 so I took his word about the address. I will inspect it closley and remember what you have said.

also remamber to get your VA letter completed since im sure you want to buy a house

Good point, thanks. My wife and I bought a house through Navy Federal a few years back. They had a better deal at the time than a VA home loan.

Good afternoon

Being in the reserves I have been on several mobilizations and recalls so I have multiple DD214's. There is only one copy (multi-page form) that has the extended block showing type of service and reenlistment codes. Make sure that is the one you show for benefits and safe guard it.

Also when you are interviewed or asked to review the DD214 there is an option of forwarding a copy to the VA. I also took a copy to my town hall for filing just in case something catastrophic happened where my survivors needed a copy.

Good luck.

gmcm

Filing a copy at town hall or city is somthing they used to to recomend but it is discoureged now as it becomes a matter of public record availeable to anyone who request it. It contains all info needed to steal an identity...FYI

That is good to know. I will certainly not do that.

Be fore you leave the personnel office get them to make you for or five certified copies so that you have them for the things that will come up. Can be worth many headaches not had.