What is proof of military service?
The form
- Mail or fax a Request Pertaining to Military Records (Standard Form SF 180) to the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC). ...
- Write a letter to the NPRC. ...
- Visit the NPRC in person.
- Contact your state or county Veterans agency.
- Hire an independent researcher.
Verification of Military Service
Please use the Defense Manpower Data Center's (DMDC) Military Verification service to verify if someone is in the military. The website will tell you if the person is currently serving in the military. The site is available 24-hours a day.
The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and the Privacy Act provide balance between the right of the public to obtain information from military service records and the right of the former military service member to protect his/her privacy. See Federal Records Center Program to access these records.
The Defense Department issues identification cards to service members, their dependents and others to prove their identity and their connection to the DOD. These military ID cards are issued through Real-Time Automated Personnel Identification System sites and give you access to military services and programs.
You can request service records for yourself or for your next of kin (spouse, parent, child, or sibling). Choose one of three ways to request service records from the National Archives: Start your records request online for recent military service. Print and fill out a Form SF 180.
Employment verification:
Please direct your request to the Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS) at https://www.dfas.mil/militarymembers/statusverification.html#. They can also be reached by phone at 1-888-332-7411.
Since the DD Form 214 is issued to those leaving the active military as well as to members of the National Guard and Reserves completing their initial active duty for training, possession of this document does not necessarily mean the student is a veteran.
Two forms of ID, at least one that's government issued. All active, reserve or National Guard servicemembers and veterans of our nation's military with IDs such as DD-214, Common Access and Uniform Services ID Cards are eligible.
Personnel Record Portion: The Official Military Personnel File (OMPF) is primarily an administrative record, containing information about the subject's service history such as: date and type of enlistment/appointment; duty stations and assignments; training, qualifications, performance; awards and decorations received; ...
How do companies verify military service?
If a job candidate consents to an employer looking up their military records, they'll likely receive the candidate's DD-214. This is a report that includes the beginning and ending dates of the candidate's military service.
Your military record will not automatically appear in a general background check unless your potential employer requests it. Employers will need to get your permission to request your military record.
If for whatever reason an original DD214 is unusable, unreadable, or destroyed, upon verification of service, the National Personnel Record Center can issue NA Form 13038, a Certification of Military Service, which is also a perfect legal substitute for DD214.
Obtaining your statement of service can take a while, as it comes from your commanding officer. It's best to reach out to your C.O. as soon as possible to give them time to get the letter completed.
Retiree or Military Identification Card
If you're still on active duty, in the Guard or Reserve, or are a military dependent, the easiest way to prove your veteran status is to show your official military ID card.
The CAC, a "smart" card about the size of a credit card, is the standard identification for active duty uniformed Service personnel, Selected Reserve, DoD civilian employees, and eligible contractor personnel.
Free Military Records Index. Almost all requests are available online. Generally there is no charge for basic military personnel and medical record information provided to veterans, next-of-kin and authorized representatives from Federal (non-archival) records.
The National Archives will expedite delivery of a DD-214 under certain circ*mstances, usually in 1 to 5 days.
- Sign in to your ID.me account if you already have one. If you don't have an account select Create an ID.me account, then confirm your email address.
- Select Begin.
- Follow the prompts to enter your military information. The information you provide can include: ...
- If prompted, enter your .
Certification is accomplished by the adding of a seal by the repository where your DD214 is located and from where it was retrieved. Of course through credit verification, address verification and reference checks employers can easily determine if a falsified or forged DD214 has been tendered.
How long do you have to be in the military to be considered a veteran?
A minimum service requirement exists. Service members must have served a minimum of 24 months of active duty to be considered a veteran. If the service member becomes disabled because of their time in the service, there is no minimum length of service to qualify for VA benefits.
If you need assistance obtaining your military records, then contact any County Veteran Service Officer (CVSO). To obtain your DD-214 on your own, submit your request via the National Archives and Records Administration webpage or call 314-801-0800.
Can I call myself a Veteran? Yes, just recently signed legislation allows you to call yourself a Veteran. During the December 2016 transition period, President Obama signed H.R. 6416, a bill that says National Guard and Reserve retirees who had zero active duty time are now eligible to be referred to as Veterans.
- #1 – DFAS.
- #2 – Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA) Request.
- #3 – National Personnel Records Center.
- #4 – DD 214 or Military ID Card.
- #5 – Commendation Medal Search.
- #6 – Online Military Background Check.
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
SCRA is a program that provides certain protections in lending for service members who are called to Active Duty. Lenders seeking to verify active-duty status for military members, as authorized under the SCRA may do so using the Defense Manpower Data Center SCRA website.
Experienced lenders, servicers, attorneys, debt collectors and business owners use the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act Centralized Verification Service (SCRACVS). It's a one-stop resource for securing military status verifications.
Like the DD214, the NGB22 provides all of the pertinent information about an individual's military career, including the nature of discharge. A DD256, on the other hand, is basically just a statement confirming the individual served and was discharged under honorable conditions.
View a summary of your personnel information in DEERS. View and update your civilian employment and student information. Verify, review, and print documents from your official Military Personnel File, including your DD 214.
“The DD214 is very important because it reflects what happened on this mobilization/deployment, the active duty time, any training and schools, and any awards they received,” said Bertha B. Dennis, transition lead, Mobilization Branch, Directorate of Plans, Training, Mobilization and Security.
However, an employer should not ask an applicant the reason he or she was discharged from the military or request to see military discharge papers (DD-214), except when directly related to the job or to determine veteran's preference.
Do I have to disclose military service?
Prior Active Duty
Disclosing your military affiliation and military experience is pretty much required if you plan on using the experience for career progression. Whether you have four or 20+ years of service, your support for the country counts as career experience, and you should be proud of it.
To obtain information about an applicant's military service, an employer is permitted to make inquiries on the dates of military service, duties performed, rank during service at the time of discharge, pay during service and at the time of discharge, training received, and work experience.
Without the consent of the veteran or next-of-kin, the NPRC can only release limited information from non-archival Official Military Personnel Files (OMPF) to the general public. Click here for a list of information available under the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act.
Employers often include questions about veteran status on job applications. This information can help you comply with the recruiting and hiring requirements that apply to protected veterans. Veteran status should never be used as a reason not to hire an employee.
A dishonorable discharge is noted on a servicemembers DD-214 and follows them for life. These discharges prevent a person from owning firearms or voting; receiving many benefits, grants, and loans, especially at the federal level; and prevent a person from receiving any veteran's benefits.
Members of the Reserve Corp only receive a DD Form 214 when they served on active duty – usually after initial training, and after separating from active duty after serving at least 90 consecutive days. If you served in the Guard or Reserves, but were never activated, you may not have a DD Form 214.
What is a DD214? The Defense Department issues to each veteran a DD-214, identifying the veteran's condition of discharge - honorable, general, other than honorable, dishonorable or bad conduct. You can find a sample DD-214 which can help you determine if a veteran served in armed combat HERE.
A Letter of Employment (also known as a Statement of Service) is a simple document which confirms that an employee is/was employed and provides brief details regarding their employment.
Rather than a form or certificate, this is a letter from your commanding officer. There are samples out there of this letter so your commander of the unit doesn't need to create it from scratch.
A Verification of Service Letter can provide proof of existing, previous or pending services with APS and is available in English or Spanish. You will need to install a PDF viewer to read and print your Verification of Service Letter.
Is a VA ID the same as a military ID?
The VA identification card will allow Veterans to demonstrate proof of service for discounts at private restaurants and businesses. It should be noted that the identification card is different from a Veteran Health Identification card or a DoD Uniformed Services or retiree ID card.
For Family Members
Plus, you shouldn't have to be on hand for them to redeem the military discount. Your immediate family, including your spouse, father or mother, brother or sister, son or daughter can also get a VetRewards Card to show eligibility for VetRewards Exclusives.
Under federal law, military ID cards are issued only to those veterans who are eligible to receive medical care and other benefits provided by the DOD. This includes: Retired military members. Those who are entitled to receive retainer pay.
You must complete all applicable requirements. The application form certifies the veteran applying for the veteran ID card is from the active armed forces, and was discharged under honorable circ*mstances.
JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH, Texas -- Blue retiree identification cards issued prior to December 2012 had the word "indef" instead of an expiration date. Since December, retiree cards issued have an expiration date effective the day before the retiree's 65th birthday.
The DD214 -- DD stands for Defense Department -- provides veterans with an accurate and complete summary of their active military service. It usually lists dates of service, any commendations or medals received, the reason for separation and the type of discharge.
Since the DD Form 214 is issued to those leaving the active military as well as to members of the National Guard and Reserves completing their initial active duty for training, possession of this document does not necessarily mean the student is a veteran.
Proof of service is a document that functions like a legal “receipt” confirming the delivery of documents from one party to another in a legal matter.
There are two ways you can obtain a copy of your DD-214. The first is to use “ebenefits” and the second is to submit a written request through the National Archives. You will be notified by email when your documents are ready.
If you're a servicemember who is returning to civilian life, one of the critical administrative jobs you need to complete is obtaining a copy of your DD-214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge).
Does every military member get a DD-214?
Not every person associated with military service will have a DD214. If you're in the active or inactive reserves, you are technically not fully separated from your service. The same is true for anyone in the National Guard or those who haven't completed their service or been formerly discharged.
