You likely also received a Member 1 Copy, which is a shorter version of the Member 4 Copy and, as you know, does not contain your character of service information. On or around the time you were discharged, you should have received a Member 4 Copy of your DD Form 214 (known formally as the Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty). So, which copy do I need? And how fast can I get it?
In fact, this is one of the reasons having the right DD214 copy is so important. (In fact, we were once in the same boat.) Without the right discharge form, you can’t show proof of your character of service/character of discharge, which must be “under other than dishonorable conditions” to receive your hard-earned veteran benefits and opportunities. was created for situations exactly like this one-in which veterans need a copy of the right document fast and can’t afford to waste time jumping through hoops just to get it.
Does this sound familiar? You sat down to fill out your COE for a VA home loan or started working on the application for a job you really want, only to realize that you don’t have the correct copy of your DD214 to show proof of service and honorable discharge.
