The Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs works to assist veterans with locating their lost DD Form 214 and other military documents so they can get credit for time served and receive important benefits they have earned.
The DD-214 is a Department of Defense document issued upon a service member’s retirement, separation or discharge from active duty in the U.S. armed forces.
It contains information needed to verify military service for benefits, retirement, employment and membership in veterans organizations.
Without the key document, there could be significant delays when a veteran seeks benefits earned through their service.
“The DMVA understands how important it is for veterans to have their military paperwork. That is why our staff is available to assist veterans who have lost their DD-214, or family members who cannot locate it on a veteran’s behalf,” Maj. Gen. Mark J. Schindler, Pennsylvania’s adjutant general and head of the DMVA, was quoted in a news release.
“We want every veteran to receive the benefits they earned through their service to this nation, and that starts with having the right documents in hand,” he said.
The DMVA can also assist with locating the DD-215, which is used to correct errors or make additions to a DD-214, helping to assure that veterans have accurate documentation.
The easiest way to manage military documents and avoid having to frantically search for them is to make sure they are filed in a safe place immediately upon leaving the military, according to the release.
Brig. Gen. Maureen Weigl, deputy adjutant general for Veterans Affairs, said the best place to file the documents for a lifetime of safekeeping is a county courthouse.
“This way you and/or a family member will always have access to them when the time comes that they are needed,” she said.
Anyone needing assistance on this or other military matters can call 1-800-547-2838 toll free or email RA-REQ@pa
.gov.
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