DOD INSTRUCTION 1336.01
C
ERTIFICATE OF UNIFORMED SERVICE (DD FORM 214/5 SERIES)
Originating Component: Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness
Effective: February 17, 2022
Releasability: Cleared for public release. Available on the Directives Division Website at
https://www.esd.whs.mil/DD/.
Reissues and Cancels: DoD Instruction 1336.01, “Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active
Duty (DD Form 214/5 Series),” August 20, 2009
Approved by: Gilbert R. Cisneros, Jr., Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and
Readiness
Purpose: In accordance with the authority in DoD Directive 5124.02, this issuance establishes policy,
assigns responsibilities, and prescribes procedures for the:
• Preparation and distribution of the revised DD Form 214/5 Series:
o DD Form 214, “Certificate of Uniformed Service.”
o DD Form 214-1, “Certificate of Uniformed Service, Reserve Component Addendum.”
o DD Form 215, “Correction to DD Form 214, Certificate of Uniformed Service.”
• Control and publication of separation program designator (SPD) codes.
DoDI 1336.01, February 17, 2022
TABLE OF CONTENTS 2
TABLE OF CONTENTS
SECTION 1: GENERAL ISSUANCE INFORMATION .............................................................................. 3
1.1. Applicability. .................................................................................................................... 3
1.2. Policy. ............................................................................................................................... 3
SECTION 2: RESPONSIBILITIES ......................................................................................................... 5
2.1. Assistant Secretary of Defense for Manpower and Reserve Affairs (ASD(M&RA)). ..... 5
2.2. Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Military Personnel Policy. ............................ 5
2.3. Director, Department of Defense Human Resources Activity. ......................................... 5
2.4. Secretaries Concerned. ...................................................................................................... 6
SECTION 3: DD FORM 214/5 SERIES PROCEDURES .......................................................................... 8
3.1. Handling. ........................................................................................................................... 8
3.2. Issuance. ............................................................................................................................ 8
a. DD Form 214 Issuance. .................................................................................................. 8
b. DD Form 214-1 Issuance. ............................................................................................ 10
c. DD Forms 214/214-1 Reissuance and DD Form 215 Issuance. .................................. 11
3.3. Preparation. ..................................................................................................................... 11
a. General. ........................................................................................................................ 11
b. DD Form 214. .............................................................................................................. 12
c. DD Form 214-1. ........................................................................................................... 18
d. DD Forms 214/214-1 Reissuance and DD Form 215 Issuance. .................................. 20
3.4. Distribution. .................................................................................................................... 20
a. DMDC .......................................................................................................................... 20
b. Uniformed Services ..................................................................................................... 21
GLOSSARY ..................................................................................................................................... 22
G.1. Acronyms. ...................................................................................................................... 22
G.2. Definitions. ..................................................................................................................... 22
REFERENCES .................................................................................................................................. 25
TABLES
Table 1. DD Form 214 Instructions ............................................................................................. 12
Table 2. DD Form 214-1 Instructions .......................................................................................... 18
DoDI 1336.01, February 17, 2022
SECTION 1: GENERAL ISSUANCE INFORMATION 3
SECTION 1: GENERAL ISSUANCE INFORMATION
1.1. APPLICABILITY.
This issuance applies to:
a. OSD, the Military Departments (including the Coast Guard at all times, including when it
is a Service in the Department of Homeland Security by agreement with that Department), the
Office of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the Joint Staff, the Combatant
Commands, the Office of Inspector General of the Department of Defense, the Defense
Agencies, the DoD Field Activities, and all other organizational entities in the DoD.
b. The Commissioned Corps of the United States Public Health Service (USPHS), under
agreement with the Department of Health and Human Services.
1.2. POLICY.
a. In accordance with Section 1168 of Title 10, United States Code (U.S.C.), the DD Form
214 represents the discharge certificate or certificate of release from all active duty service, to
include active duty and full-time National Guard duty.
b. Pursuant to Section 570 of Public Law 116-92, the DD Form 214-1, in conjunction with
the DD Form 214, represents the standard record of service for members of the Reserve
Components.
c. In accordance with DoD Instruction (DoDI) 1332.14 and DoDI 1332.30, the DD Form
214/5 Series is the official record of separation and characterization of service available on the
Directives Division Website at https://www.esd.whs.mil/Directives/forms/.
d. The DD Form 214/5 Series will provide:
(1) The uniformed services, excluding the Commissioned Corps of the National Oceanic
and Atmospheric Administration, with an authoritative source of personnel information for
administrative purposes, and for making enlistment or reenlistment eligibility determinations.
(2) The uniformed services member, excluding members of the Commissioned Corps of
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, referred to in this issuance as “member,”
with a clear, concise summary of each discrete period of active service, and Reserve Component
service as applicable, with the uniformed services at the time of transfer between Services,
release, discharge, transfer to another component of a Service, or other change of status. This
includes relevant data regarding the member’s service and the circumstances of termination,
except as limited in this issuance.
DoDI 1336.01, February 17, 2022
SECTION 1: GENERAL ISSUANCE INFORMATION 4
(3) Appropriate governmental agencies with an authoritative source of personnel
information that they require for the administration of State and Federal laws applicable to
personnel who have been transferred between Services, released, discharged, transferred to
another component of a Service, or have had another change in status. This associated data will
be provided electronically to expedite the adjudication of veterans benefits by appropriate
governmental agencies such as, but not limited to, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), the
Department of Labor (DOL), and State or territory Departments of Veterans Affairs.
DoDI 1336.01, February 17, 2022
SECTION 2: RESPONSIBILITIES 5
SECTION 2: RESPONSIBILITIES
2.1. ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF DEFENSE FOR MANPOWER AND RESERVE
AFFAIRS (ASD(M&RA)).
Under the authority, direction, and control of the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and
Readiness, the ASD(M&RA):
a. Develops, maintains, and oversees implementation of procedural instructions and
guidance for the DD Form 214/5 Series.
b. May provide supporting guidance to supplement this issuance.
c. Adjudicates requests for exception to policy.
d. Maintains and convenes the chartered Separation Standardization Working Group.
(1) Chartered in 2015 under the authority of the ASD(MR&A), the Separation
Standardization Working Group consists of functional and technical representatives from the
Military Departments’ Manpower and Reserve Affairs offices, the Coast Guard, the Joint Staff,
the National Guard Bureau, the Defense Manpower Data Center, and the Defense Finance and
Accounting Service, and ad hoc members as needed.
(2) The working group provides comprehensive review and analysis of separation
policies, procedures, and systems and makes recommendations to bring standardization across
the Armed Forces.
2.2. DEPUTY ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF DEFENSE FOR MILITARY
PERSONNEL POLICY.
Under the authority, direction, and control of the ASD(M&RA) the Deputy Assistant Secretary
of Defense for Military Personnel Policy:
a. Exercises approval authority over requests to add, change, or delete standard SPD codes.
b. Initiates update to SPD code matrix on a 5-year cycle.
2.3. DIRECTOR, DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE HUMAN RESOURCES ACTIVITY.
Under the authority, direction, and control of the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and
Readiness, the Director, Department of Defense Human Resources Activity, through the Defense
Manpower Data Center (DMDC):
a. Distributes personnel service and separation data to VA, DOL, and State or territory
Departments of Veteran Affairs, as applicable, to ensure the adjudication of veterans benefits.
DoDI 1336.01, February 17, 2022
SECTION 2: RESPONSIBILITIES 6
b. Is the official distribution source of the uniformed services authoritative and certified
service and separation data for all periods of active service that are completed on or after
January 1, 2015.
c. Acts as DoD’s single enterprise distribution point for interagency information sharing of
Service personnel service and separation data.
d. Through DMDC’s electronic data sharing capability, provides authoritative service and
separation data in accordance with DoDI 5400.11 and DoD 5400.11-R to authorized
representatives from the VA, DOL and, if the member elects, the State or territory Department of
Veterans Affairs offices.
e. Acts as liaison to the VA, DOL, and State or territory Department of Veterans Affairs
offices to codify their data requirements to ensure the timely adjudication of veterans benefits.
f. Develops implementation and management controls for the electronic transfer of DD
Form 214/5 Series data to ensure proper protocol and safeguarding of electronically transmitted
data are consistent with DoD standards, as outlined in DoD 5015.02-STD and DoDI 5400.11.
2.4. SECRETARIES CONCERNED.
The Secretaries concerned:
a. Provide members who are separated or released from active service a DD Form 214
containing a concise summary of service, as directed in Section 3.
b. Provide Reserve Component members who are separated or released from their
component a DD Form 214 and DD Form 214-1 containing a concise summary of service, as
directed in Section 3. Service implementation and issuance of the DD Form 214-1, as directed in
Section 3, is required within 3 years of publication of this issuance.
c. Issue, in accordance with the safeguard requirements in DoD 5400.11-R, appropriate
instructions for safeguarding the forms and data contained in DD Form 214/5 Series to
separation activities due to their considerable value in obtaining veterans benefits, reemployment
rights, and unemployment insurance.
d. Delineate in their Departmental policy that no modification to the contents or format of
the DD Form 214/5 Series are made without prior authorization from the ASD(M&RA).
e. Issue Departmental instructions and procedures governing:
(1) The electronic generation of the DD Form 214/5 Series and personnel data contained
therein. The electronic generation of the DD Form 214/5 Series and associated data for all
periods of active service will be automated within 3 years of publication of this issuance in
conjunction with the fielding of associated uniformed service integrated pay and personnel
systems.
DoDI 1336.01, February 17, 2022
SECTION 2: RESPONSIBILITIES 7
(2) How corrections to DD Form 214/5 Series may be made in accordance with
Section 3.
f. Monitor and periodically review Departmental use of DD Form 214/5 Series to ensure that
requests for corrections to DD Form 214/5 Series are given priority and that backlogs for
corrections are minimized or eliminated. Significant issues or backlogs must be brought to the
attention of the ASD(M&RA).
g. In accordance with DoDIs 1336.05 and 7730.54, ensure all periods of active service
served, regardless of duration, are reported along with their corresponding character of service
and SPD codes.
h. Transmit the DD Form 214/5 Series data to the DMDC in accordance with
Paragraph 3.4.b.
DoDI 1336.01, February 17, 2022
SECTION 3: DD FORM 214/5 SERIES PROCEDURES 8
SECTION 3: DD FORM 214/5 SERIES PROCEDURES
3.1. HANDLING.
a. Because the DD Form 214/5 Series plays a critical role in the allocation of veterans
benefits, reemployment rights, and unemployment insurance, all leaders of organizations that
handle the DD Form 214/5 Series will ensure processes are in place and training is conducted, in
accordance with DoDI 5400.11 and DoD 5400.11-R, on the safeguarding and proper disposal of
electronic and hard copies of the DD Form 214/5 Series.
b. All forms to be discarded, including those that are blank or partially completed, and
reproduced copies of DD Form 214/5 Series will be destroyed.
c. Blank forms given to personnel for educational or instructional purposes, and forms
maintained for such use, are to be clearly voided in an unalterable manner.
d. All DD Form 214/5 Series images are to be filed in the Service official military personnel
file (OMPF) in accordance with DoDI 1336.08, or in the official personnel file (OPF) repository.
3.2. ISSUANCE.
Data collection requirements for all periods of active service, regardless of duration, will be
considered separate from the issuance requirements for DD Form 214/5 Series.
a. DD Form 214 Issuance.
(1) The following members will be issued a DD Form 214:
(a) Members who are separated or released from active service.
(b) Recalled retirees reverting to retired status, regardless of the period of active duty
service.
(c) Members who are separated for cause or for physical disability, regardless of the
period of active service.
(d) Personnel being separated, when they have served 90 days or more or when
required by the Secretary concerned for shorter periods, from a period of active duty for training,
full-time training duty, or active duty for operational support.
(e) Reserve Component personnel ordered to active duty for a contingency operation
for a period greater than 30 days.
(f) Members who change their status or component while serving on active service.
(g) Members who are issued a DD Form 214-1.
DoDI 1336.01, February 17, 2022
SECTION 3: DD FORM 214/5 SERIES PROCEDURES 9
(h) As prescribed under other circumstances determined by the uniformed service
concerned.
(2) The DD Form 214 is not required to be issued for:
(a) Personnel found disqualified upon reporting for active duty and who do not
perform duties in accordance with orders.
(b) Personnel whose active duty is terminated by death.
(c) Personnel being removed from the temporary disability retired list.
(d) Enlisted personnel who receive temporary appointments to warrant officer or
commissioned officer grades.
(e) Personnel whose temporary warrant or commissioned officer status is terminated
and who remain on active duty to complete an enlistment.
(f) Personnel separated or discharged who have been furnished a previous version of
the DD Form 214, unless that form is in need of reissuance for some other reason (e.g., errors in
completion).
(g) Commissioned officers dropped from the rolls in accordance with Section 1161
of Title 10, U.S.C.
(3) DD Form 214 will normally be issued by the separation activity from which the
member was separated. In those instances where a DD Form 214 was not issued by the
separation activity from which the member was separated, the uniformed service concerned may
establish procedures for administrative issuance of the form.
(4) If the separation activity cannot complete all items on the DD Form 214, the form
will be prepared as completely as possible and delivered to the separating member before their
departure. The version number of the serial number will be 0 (zero).
(a) The member will be advised that a complete DD Form 214 will be issued by the
uniformed service concerned when the missing information becomes available. It will not be
necessary for the separating member to request an updated DD Form 214.
(b) The updated DD Form 214 will reflect an appropriately incremented version
number in the serial number.
(c) A DD Form 215 may be issued in lieu of an updated DD Form 214 until 3 years
after publication of this issuance (see Paragraphs 3.2.c. and 3.3.d. for issuance justification and
preparation instructions).
DoDI 1336.01, February 17, 2022
SECTION 3: DD FORM 214/5 SERIES PROCEDURES 10
b. DD Form 214-1 Issuance.
(1) The following members will be issued a DD Form 214-1 in conjunction with a DD
Form 214:
(a) Members who are separated or released from a Reserve Component.
(b) Reserve Component members transferred to the Individual Ready Reserve or the
Inactive National Guard.
(c) Reserve Component members transferred to the Standby Reserve or Retired
Reserve.
(d) Recalled retirees reverting to retired status.
(e) As prescribed under other circumstances determined by the uniformed service
concerned.
(2) The DD Form 214-1 is not required to be issued for:
(a) National Guard members who transfer States.
(b) Personnel whose Reserve Component service is terminated by death.
(c) Every issuance of a DD Form 214.
(3) The DD Form 214-1, in conjunction with a DD Form 214, will normally be issued by
the separation activity from which the member was separated. The DD Form 214-1 will never
be issued on its own and will always be accompanied by the DD Form 214. In those instances,
where a DD Form 214/214-1 was not issued by the separation activity from which the member
was separated, the uniformed service concerned may establish procedures for administrative
issuance of the form.
(4) If the separation activity cannot complete all items on DD Forms 214 and 214-1, the
forms will be prepared as completely as possible and delivered to the separating member before
their departure. The version number of the serial number will be 0 (zero).
(a) The member will be advised that updated DD Forms 214/214-1 will be issued by
the uniformed service concerned when the missing information becomes available, and that it
will not be necessary for the separating member to request updated DD Forms 214/214-1.
(b) The updated DD Forms 214/214-1 will reflect an appropriately incremented
version number in the serial number.
(c) A DD Form 215 may be issued in lieu of updated DD Forms 214/214-1 until
3 years after publication of this issuance (see Paragraph 3.3.d. for preparation instructions).
DoDI 1336.01, February 17, 2022
SECTION 3: DD FORM 214/5 SERIES PROCEDURES 11
c. DD Forms 214/214-1 Reissuance and DD Form 215 Issuance.
(1) Approval for corrections or updates of DD Forms 214/214-1 may be made through
methods established by the Secretary concerned.
(2) Reissuance of a DD Form 214/214-1 will occur:
(a) When corrections or updates are required.
(b) When directed by appropriate appellate authority, Executive order, or by the
Secretary concerned.
(c) When one DD Form 215 has been issued and an additional correction is required.
(3) Corrections or updates may be made by issuance of a DD Form 215 in lieu of a
reissued DD Form 214/214-1 either:
(a) Until 3 years after publication of this issuance when full capability for reissuance
of electronic DD Form 214/214-1 data is required in conjunction with the fielding of associated
uniformed service integrated pay and personnel systems; or
(b) Indefinitely for DD Forms 214 that were never issued electronically.
(4) Corrections or updates may not be made by issuance of a DD Form 215 if:
(a) It is determined by the Secretary concerned that the original DD Form 214/214-1
cannot be properly corrected by issuance of a DD Form 215; or
(b) The correction would require issuance of more than one DD Form 215.
(5) When a DD Form 214/214-1 is administratively issued or reissued, an entry will be
made in the “Remarks” block annotating the administrative issuance or reissuance unless the
appellate authority, Executive order, or directive of the Secretary concerned specifies otherwise.
3.3. PREPARATION.
a. General.
Because the DD Form 214/5 Series is an essential record of service, preparation requires that:
(1) It is prepared accurately and completely, and must be typed or computer generated.
(2) The recipient will be informed that making any unauthorized change or alteration of
the form will render it void.
(3) Abbreviations and acronyms should be avoided as much as possible.
DoDI 1336.01, February 17, 2022
SECTION 3: DD FORM 214/5 SERIES PROCEDURES 12
(4) A continuation sheet, if required, will be used, and will reference the appropriate
block(s) being continued.
(5) Only ASD(M&RA) approved SPD codes are used.
(6) Requests to add, change, or delete SPD codes, with appropriate justification, are
forwarded to the ASD(M&RA) for approval.
(7) Positive control is exercised over the distribution of any and all lists of SPD codes
with narrative explanations. SPD code lists will be stamped “Controlled Unclassified
Information” and will not be furnished to any agency or individual outside the DoD.
(8) Activities authorized to issue DD Form 214/5 Series are aware that appropriate
provisions of DoD Directive 5400.07 will be used to deny the release of SPD code lists to the
public. Only the individual being separated or discharged is entitled access to their SPD code. It
is not intended that these codes stigmatize an individual in any manner. SPD codes are for
internal DoD use in collecting data to analyze statistical reporting trends, as well as the
automation of benefits adjudication.
b. DD Form 214.
(1) Table 1 contains instructions on DD Form 214 preparation for when the DD
Form 214 is issued by itself and when it is issued in conjunction with the DD Form 214-1.
(2) Each DD Form 214 record must have a unique identifier (serial number). If a DD
Form 214-1 is issued with a DD Form 214, both must have the same unique identifier and be
treated as a single document.
(3) When one or more of the data items on the DD Form 214 or DD Form 214-1, as
applicable, are not available and the document is issued to the separating member, the applicable
block(s) must be annotated “See Remarks.” In such cases, the “Remarks” block must contain the
entry “Reissuance of DD Form 214/5 Series will provide missing information, as applicable.”
Table 1. DD Form 214 Instructions
Block Number and
Short Title
Instructions When Issued by
Itself
Instructions When Issued in
Conjunction with DD Form 214-1
1. Name
Person surname text, person forename
text, person middle name text.
Same
2. Branch and Component
Current uniformed service branch
classification code; current uniformed
service organization component code.
Same
3. DoD ID Number
Self-explanatory.
Same
4. Serial Number
See definition.
Same as serial number used in
accompanying DD Form 214-1
DoDI 1336.01, February 17, 2022
SECTION 3: DD FORM 214/5 SERIES PROCEDURES 13
Table 1. DD Form 214 Instructions, Continued
Block Number and
Short Title
Instructions When Issued by
Itself
Instructions When Issued in
Conjunction with DD Form 214-1
5a. Grade or Rate
Current uniformed service grade code.
Same
5b. Pay Grade
Current uniformed services pay grade.
Same
6. Date of Birth
Person birth calendar date in the
following format: YYYYMMDD.
Same
7a. Military Service
Obligation Termination
Date
Date in the following format:
YYYYMMDD.
Same
7b. Reserve Status for
Obligation
Enter Selected Reserve, Individual
Ready Reserve, or N/A if obligation
completed.
Same
7c. Contact Phone Number
Enter personal, long-term phone
number.
Same
7d. Contact Email Address
Enter personal, long-term email
address.
Same
8a. Place of Entry into
Active Duty
Postal region city place name, U.S.
State alpha code, ZIP code.
N/A
8b. Home of Record at
Time of Entry
Postal region city place name, U.S.
State alpha code, ZIP code; as
determined by directives of the
Secretary concerned.
N/A
9a. Last Duty Assignment
and Major Command
Self-explanatory.
Same
9b. Station Where
Separated
Self-explanatory.
Same
10. Command to Which
Transferred
Self-explanatory; may be N/A.
Same
11. Members’ Group Life
Insurance Coverage
Amount
Mark “None” or enter amount elected
on the Form 8286, “Servicemembers’
Group Life Insurance Election and
Certificate,” as applicable.
Same
12. Specialty
List number, title, and years and
months in specialties involving periods
of one or more years during this period
of active duty (AD).
List number, title, and years and
months in specialties involving periods
of one or more years, including those
earned in Reserve Component, during
time in current component.
DoDI 1336.01, February 17, 2022
SECTION 3: DD FORM 214/5 SERIES PROCEDURES 14
Table 1. DD Form 214 Instructions, Continued
Block Number and
Short Title
Instructions When Issued by
Itself
Instructions When Issued in
Conjunction with DD Form 214-1
13a. Date Entered AD this
Period
Date in the following format:
YYYYMMDD. The date will be the
date of enlistment or appointment for
the earliest period of continuous active
service for which a DD Form 214 was
not previously issued.
N/A
13b. Separation Date this
Period
Date in the following format:
YYYYMMDD.
N/A
13c. Net Active Service
this Period
Amount of time in the following
format: YYMMDD.
N/A
13d. Total Prior Active
Service
Amount of time in the following
format: YYMMDD.
N/A
13e. Total Active Service
Amount of time in the following
format: YYMMDD; 13c+13d.
N/A
13f. Total Inactive Service
Amount of time in the following
format: YYMMDD
N/A
13g. Foreign Service
Amount of time in the following
format: YYMMDD, during this AD
period.
N/A
13h. Sea Service
Amount of time in the following
format: YYMMDD; The sum of all sea
duty periods, as defined by Section
305a of Title 37, U.S.C., minus the
number of days lost that occurred
during each sea duty period.
N/A
13i. Initial Entry Training
Date in the following format:
YYYYMMDD.
N/A
13j. Effective Date of Pay
Grade
Date in the following format:
YYYYMMDD.
Same
14. Decorations, Medals,
Badges, Citations, and
Campaign Ribbons
Awarded or Authorized
Includes entire career; list area of
operations (if applicable) for campaign
and expeditionary awards.
Same
15. Uniformed Service
Education
Formal in-service training courses
successfully completed during the
period covered by the form will be
listed by title, number of weeks, and
month and year completed. e.g.,
medical, dental, electronics, supply,
administration, personnel, or heavy
equipment operations. Training
Formal in-service training courses
successfully completed during the
member’s time in the current
component will be listed by title,
number of weeks, and month and year
completed, e.g., medical, dental,
DoDI 1336.01, February 17, 2022
SECTION 3: DD FORM 214/5 SERIES PROCEDURES 15
Table 1. DD Form 214 Instructions, Continued
Block Number and
Short Title
Instructions When Issued by
Itself
Instructions When Issued in
Conjunction with DD Form 214-1
courses for combat skills will not be
listed. See the “Guide to the
Evaluation of Educational Experiences
in the Armed Services” on the
American Council on Education
website for commonly accepted course
titles and abbreviations.
electronics, supply, administration,
personnel, or heavy equipment
operations. Training courses for
combat skills will not be listed. See
the “Guide to the Evaluation of
Educational Experiences in the Armed
Services” on the American Council on
Education website for commonly
accepted course titles and
abbreviations.
16. Days Accrued Leave
Paid
Reflects entire career.
Same
17. Member was Provided
Complete Dental
Examination and all
Appropriate Dental Service
and Treatment within 90
Days Prior to Separation
Enter Yes or No.
N/A
18. Retirement System
Option
Enter which retirement system the
Service member is enrolled in -
FINAL/HIGH-3/REDUX/BRS.
Same
19. DD214-1
(Accompanies this DD214)
Enter “No”.
Enter “Yes”
20. Remarks
For members who have previously
reenlisted without being issued a DD
Form 214, and who are being separated
with any discharge characterization
except “Honorable,” the following
statement must appear as the first entry
in this block: “Continuous honorable
active service from (applicable date)
until (applicable date).”
(1) The “from” date will be the date of
initial entry into active duty, or the first
day of service for which a DD Form
214 was not previously issued, as
applicable.
(2) The “until” date will be the date
before commencement of the current
enlistment.
First Full Term of Service: Indicate
whether the member has or has not
Same.
DoDI 1336.01, February 17, 2022
SECTION 3: DD FORM 214/5 SERIES PROCEDURES 16
Table 1. DD Form 214 Instructions, Continued
Block Number and
Short Title
Instructions When Issued by
Itself
Instructions When Issued in
Conjunction with DD Form 214-1
completed their first full term of
service, as defined by the Secretary
concerned. This should also be
indicated directly to DMDC via
electronic DD Form 214 data
reporting.
Missing Information: If one or more of
the data items on the DD Form 214 or
DD Form 214-1, as applicable, are not
available, this block must contain the
entry “DD Form 215 will be issued to
provide missing information from the
DD Form 214 and DD Form 214-1, as
applicable.”
Upgraded Discharges: When a
discharge has been upgraded, the
“Service” copy of the DD Form 214
will be annotated in this block to
indicate the character of service has
been upgraded; the date the application
for upgrade was made; and the
effective date of the corrective action.
For members retiring or separating
from active duty: document
participation in contingency
operations.
For members being transferred to the
Individual Ready Reserve: Enter
“Subject to active duty recall and/or
annual screening.”
Administrative issuance or reissuance:
Annotate the administrative issuance or
reissuance unless the appellate
authority, Executive order, or directive
of the Secretary concerned specifies
otherwise.
Miscellaneous: When appropriate,
enter the amount of disability pay and
the inclusive dates of any non-pay or
excess leave days.
21a. Mailing Address after
Separation
Postal region city place name, U.S.
State alpha code, ZIP code.
Same
DoDI 1336.01, February 17, 2022
SECTION 3: DD FORM 214/5 SERIES PROCEDURES 17
Table 1. DD Form 214 Instructions, Continued
Block Number and
Short Title
Instructions When Issued by
Itself
Instructions When Issued in
Conjunction with DD Form 214-1
21b. Nearest Relative
Full name and postal region city place
name, U.S. State alpha code, ZIP code
Same
22. Member Requests Data
Share with (Specify State
or Locality) ______ Office
of Veterans Affairs
(YES/NO)
Specify the State or locality and select
YES; or select NO.
Same
23a. Member Signature
Digitally sign with Signature Block
Text and DoD Electronic Data
Interchange Person Identification. If
unable to digitally sign, ensure proper
Service policy followed to annotate
member provided document.
Same
23b. Date
Date in the following format:
YYYYMMDD.
Same
24a. Official Authorized to
Sign: Name, Grade and
Title
Self-explanatory.
Same
24b. Signature
Digitally sign with Signature Block
Text and DoD Electronic Data
Interchange Person Identification. If
unable to digitally sign, ensure proper
Service policy followed to annotate
member provided document.
Same
24c. Date
Date in the following format:
YYYYMMDD
Same
25. Type of Separation
In accordance with DoDI 1332.14,
DoDI 1332.30, and directives of the
Secretary concerned.
Same
26. Character of Service
Authorized entries are as follows:
(1) Honorable.
(2) Under Honorable Conditions
(General).
(3) Under Other Than Honorable
Conditions.
(4) Bad Conduct.
(5) Dishonorable.
(6) Uncharacterized.
Same
27. Separation Authority
The authority for a member’s transfer
or discharge will be cited by reference
to the appropriate uniformed service
regulation, instruction, or manual.
Same
DoDI 1336.01, February 17, 2022
SECTION 3: DD FORM 214/5 SERIES PROCEDURES 18
Table 1. DD Form 214 Instructions, Continued
Block Number and
Short Title
Instructions When Issued by
Itself
Instructions When Issued in
Conjunction with DD Form 214-1
28. Separation Code
Appropriate ASD(M&RA) SPD code
on the “Service” copy only.
Same
29. Reentry Code
Service level codes used for re-
enlistment processing.
Same
30. Narrative Reason for
Separation
A narrative description to identify the
reason for transfer or separation as
linked to the SPD code.
Same
31. Dates of Time Lost
During this Period
Dates in the following format:
YYYYMMDD.
Same
c. DD Form 214-1.
(1) Table 2 contains instructions on DD Form 214-1 preparation.
(2) The DD Form 214-1 will never be issued on its own. The DD Form 214-1 will
always be accompanied by the DD Form 214.
(3) When one or more of the data items on the DD Form 214-1 are not available and the
document is issued to the separating member, the applicable block(s) will be annotated “See
Remarks.” In such cases, the “Remarks” block of the associated DD Form 214 must contain the
entry “DD Form 215 will be issued to provide missing information on the DD Form 214-1.”
Table 2. DD Form 214-1 Instructions
Block Number and Short Title
Instructions
1. Name
Person surname text, person forename text, person middle name
text.
2. Branch and Component
Current uniformed service branch classification code; current
uniformed service organization component code.
3. DoD ID Number
Self-explanatory.
4. Serial Number
Same as the accompanying DD Form 214.
5. Record of Service - Points
5a. Total Active Points
As calculated in accordance with DoDI 1215.07.
5b. Total Inactive Points
As calculated in accordance with DoDI 1215.07.
5c. Total Career Points
5a+5b.
DoDI 1336.01, February 17, 2022
SECTION 3: DD FORM 214/5 SERIES PROCEDURES 19
Table 2. DD Form 214-1 Instructions, Continued
Block Number and Short Title
Instructions
5d. Total Points for Retired Pay
May be less than 5c due to statutory limitations.
6. Record of Service - Time
6a. Component Entry Date
Date in the following format: YYYYMMDD; Date of
Enlistment/Appointment into current component.
6b. Net Component Active Service
Amount of time in the following format: YYMMDD.
6c. Net Component Inactive Service
Amount of time in the following format: YYMMDD.
6d. Career Active Service
Amount of time in the following format: YYMMDD.
6e. Career Inactive Service
Amount of time in the following format: YYMMDD.
6f. Total Service for Pay
Amount of time in the following format: YYMMDD; Based on Pay
Entry Base Date.
6g. Creditable Service for Retired Pay
Amount of time in the following format: YYMMDD; Time that
qualifies for retired pay. May be less than 6f due to statutory
restrictions or non-qualifying years of service.
7. Non-Regular Retirement (NRR)
**Entire section N/A if 7a is N/A**.
7a. Date Completed Years of Service for
NRR Eligibility
May be N/A if member has not yet attained NRR eligibility.
7b. Date of 60th Birthday
Date in the following format: YYYYMMDD.
7c. NRR Age Reduction Amount
Amount of time in the following format: YYMMDD; Amount of
time to reduce NRR age receipt by due to activations that qualify
per Sections 12731 and 12732 of Title 10, U.S.C. and
DoDI 1215.07.
7d. Estimated Projected Date for
Receipt of NRR Pay
Date in the following format: YYYYMMDD; 7b-7c.
7e. Date Transferred to Retired Reserve
Date in the following format: YYYYMMDD; may be N/A; based
on effective date of transfer order.
8. Activations
All AD and full-time National Guard duty as listed in
DoDI 1215.06, across entire career.
8a. Statutory Authority
List statutory authority under which orders were executed
8b. Operation (if applicable)
List unclassified information only. If not applicable, enter ‘N/A.’
DoDI 1336.01, February 17, 2022
SECTION 3: DD FORM 214/5 SERIES PROCEDURES 20
Table 2. DD Form 214-1 Instructions, Continued
Block Number and Short Title
Instructions
8c. Qualifies for NRR Eligibility Age
Reduction (Y/N)
Per Sections 12731 and 12732 of Title 10, U.S.C. and
DoDI 1215.07.
8d. Begin Date of Activation
Date in the following format: YYYYMMDD.
8e. End Date of Activation
Date in the following format: YYYYMMDD.
8f. Deployed To Foreign Country (Y/N)
Enter Y or N, as applicable.
9. Post-9/11 GI Bill Transfer of
Eligibility Obligation End Date
Date in the following format: YYYYMMDD or N/A.
10. Days Accrued Leave Carried Over
As reflected within the applicable uniformed service pay system.
11. Highest Pay Grade Satisfactorily
Held
As determined by the Secretary concerned
12a. Member Signature
Digitally sign with Signature Block Text and DoD Electronic Data
Interchange Person Identification. If unable to digitally sign, ensure
signature is legible.
12b. Date
Date in the following format: YYYYMMDD.
13a. Official Authorized to Sign (Name,
grade, title, signature)
Digitally sign with Signature Block Text and DoD Electronic Data
Interchange Person Identification. If unable to digitally sign, ensure
signature is legible.
13b. Date
Date in the following format: YYYYMMDD.
d. DD Forms 214/214-1 Reissuance and DD Form 215 Issuance.
(1) Each subsequent reissuance of DD Forms 214/214-1 will require the version number
of the serial number to be increased by 1. See the serial number definition in the Glossary for
more information.
(2) The serial number of a DD Form 215 will reflect the serial number of the DD
Form 214/214-1 it corrects.
3.4. DISTRIBUTION.
a. DMDC
DMDC is the official distribution source of the uniformed services authoritative and certified
information for all periods of active service that are completed on or after January 1, 2015.
DoDI 1336.01, February 17, 2022
SECTION 3: DD FORM 214/5 SERIES PROCEDURES 21
DMDC will share a member’s electronic service and separation data with the VA, the DOL, and
the State or territory Department of Veterans Affairs designated in Block 22 of the DD
Form 214.
b. Uniformed Services
Uniformed services will:
(1) Electronically transmit DD Form 214/5 Series data to DMDC within 1 day of
certification by the uniformed service or 1 day after member separation when a DD Form 214/5
Series is required.
(2) Ensure the electronic DD Form 214/5 Series data and the imaged DD Form 214/5
Series retained in the OMPF or OPF match. The DD Form 214/5 Series data must contain all
available data for the data elements listed in Tables 1 and 2, as applicable, in addition to whether
the member has completed their first full term of service, and the applicable transaction code for
the data transmission.
(3) Certify the DD Form 214/5 Series with a digital signature (for example, a common
access card) and serialize the associated electronic DD Form 214/5 Series data for unique
identification.
(4) Report the associated electronic data of a corrected or reissued DD Form 214/5
Series, with serial number, to DMDC within 1 business day of correction or reissuance. The
corrected or reissued electronic DD Form 214/5 Series data must not deviate from the corrected
or reissued imaged DD Form 214/5 Series retained in the OMPF or OPF.
(5) Coordinate with DMDC on reporting requirements and technical details to include
data content, format, and mechanics for data discrepancy resolution.
(6) Resolve any discrepancy identified by DMDC between the electronic DD
Form 214/5 Series data and previously reported common personnel data system transactions for
the same period of service in a manner prescribed by the Secretary concerned.
(7) Securely deliver, either physically or electronically, the original DD Form 214/5
Series Member Copy to the member upon separation or the date authorized travel commences.
Member Copy should be used by the member to provide proof of service.
(8) Securely deliver, either physically or electronically, the original DD Form 214/5
Series Service Copy to the member upon separation or the date authorized travel commences,
whichever is earlier, and retain a copy within the uniformed service.
(9) Transmit all copies of DD Form 214/5 Series to the National Personnel Records
Center.
DoDI 1336.01, February 17, 2022
GLOSSARY 22
GLOSSARY
G.1. ACRONYMS.
CRONYM
M
EANING
active duty
Assistant Secretary of Defense for Manpower and Reserve Affairs
Department of Defense (form)
Defense Manpower Data Center
DoD instruction
Department of Labor
non-regular retirement
official military personnel file
official personnel file
separation program designator
United States Code
United States Public Health Service
Department of Veterans Affairs
G.2. DEFINITIONS.
These terms and their definitions are for the purpose of this issuance.
TERM DEFINITION
active service
Defined in Section 101(d)(3) of Title 10, U.S.C. or, for purposes of
the USPHS, active service as defined in Commissioned Corps
Instruction 384.01.
common access card
“Smart” identification card for active-duty military personnel,
Selected Reserve, DoD civilian employees, and eligible contractor
personnel.
DD Form 214/5
Series
DD Forms 214, 214-1, and 215.
DoDI 1336.01, February 17, 2022
GLOSSARY 23
TERM DEFINITION
foreign service
Service performed outside the 50 United States or its commonwealths
and territories (American Samoa, Northern Marianas Islands, Guam,
Puerto Rico, and U.S. Virgin Islands).
initial entry training
As defined in Section 3301 of Title 38, U.S.C., or as otherwise
defined by the Secretary concerned.
member
See “uniformed services member”
OMPF or OPF
A collection of information that permanently documents a member’s
career in the uniformed service. The OMPF or OPF contains
documentation pertaining to the accession, training, education,
assignment, performance, discipline, decorations, casualty, and
separation of the member.
Secretary concerned
The Secretary of the Department under whom the member serves;
respectively:
The Secretary of the Army, addressing matters concerning the
Army.
The Secretary of the Navy, addressing matters concerning the
Navy, the Marine Corps, and the Coast Guard when it is operating as
a Service in the Navy.
The Secretary of the Air Force, addressing matters concerning the
Air Force and Space Force.
The Secretary of Homeland Security, addressing matters
concerning the Coast Guard when it is not operating as a Military
Service in the Navy.
The Secretary of Health and Human Services, addressing matters
concerning the Commissioned Corps of the USPHS.
serial number
A unique identifier for a record of active service that enables version
control. The serial number is comprised of Service Code, Date of
Separation, 5-byte number, 1-byte version (for example,
A2014060100125-0).
Service Code is the standard service code used at DMDC.
Date of Separation is the date of separation, and this will not
change if the initial date of separation is changed.
DoDI 1336.01, February 17, 2022
GLOSSARY 24
TERM DEFINITION
5-byte number is incremented by one for each electronic record
of active service issued by a service on that date (from 00001-99999,
starts over each date).
1-byte version is the version of the electronic record of active
service. 0 (zero) is initial version; each subsequent version will be
increased by 1 up to 9 followed by A-Z should more than 10 versions
be issued. A hyphen separator precedes version number.
SPD code
A code that lists the conditions under which a Service member is
discharged from uniformed service.
temporary disability
retirement list
A list of members who have been found unfit to perform their duties
because of a disability that may not be permanent.
transaction code
A one-character value (A - Add and C - Cancel). The transaction
code is used in conjunction with the serial number.
Transaction code A indicates a new or reissued document. The
serial number associated with an Add transaction identifies the most
current document in that series.
Transaction code C indicates that the separation data associated
with all documents in that series are not to be distributed to
stakeholders.
uniformed services
The Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, Space
Force, and Public Health Service.
uniformed services
member
An officer or enlisted member of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine
Corps, Space Force, Coast Guard, or USPHS.
DoDI 1336.01, February 17, 2022
REFERENCES 25
REFERENCES
American Council on Education Website, “Guide to the Evaluation of Educational Experiences
in the Armed Services,” acenet.edu/militaryguide
Commissioned Corps Instruction 384.01, “Creditable Service for Retirement,” January 12, 2021
DoD 5015.02-STD, “Electronic Records Management Software Applications Design Criteria
Standard,” April 25, 2007
DoD 5400.11-R, “Department of Defense Privacy Program,” May 14, 2007
DoD Directive 5124.02, “Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness
(USD(P&R)),” June 23, 2008
DoD Directive 5400.07, “DoD Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Program,” April 5, 2019
DoD Instruction 1215.06, “Uniform Reserve, Training, and Retirement Categories for the
Reserve Components,” March 11, 2014, as amended
DoD Instruction 1215.07, “Service Credit for Non-Regular Retirement,” July 30, 2019, as
amended
DoD Instruction 1332.14, “Enlisted Administrative Separations,” January 27, 2014, as amended
DoD Instruction 1332.30, “Commissioned Officers Administrative Separations,” May 11, 2018,
as amended
DoD Instruction 1336.05, “Automated Extract of Active Duty Military Personnel Records,”
July 28, 2009, as amended
DoD Instruction 1336.08, “Military Human Resource Records Life Cycle Management,”
November 13, 2009
DoD Instruction 5400.11, “DoD Privacy and Civil Liberties Programs,” January 29, 2019, as
amended
DoD Instruction 7730.54, “Reserve Components Common Personnel Data System (RCCPDS),”
May 20, 2011
Public Law 116-92, Section 570, “National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020,”
December 20, 2019
United States Code, Title 10
United States Code, Title 37, Section 305a
United States Code, Title 38, Section 3301