Is my dd214 not enough proof that I earned an award?

One lesson I wish I had known when I was in was to check my DD-214 and information periodically but especially when I was getting ready to leave. I have two awards and one medal not listed on my 214 that I got literally sent to me in the US Mail. When that happens it can be a pain in the ass to get them retroactive added to your DD-214's. I have all the documentation so that helped but I still have not been sent an updated official DD-214 with the new adds.

So my advice to you still in, routinely CHECK your information to insure awards you think or know you have gotten are added to your records properly.

You could try the national archives. I was able to get my dads packet from WWII and my own packet. Albeit, my packet pages were so badly water damaged that they are pretty much useless. They had to add a page declaring that I was honorably discharged and did serve.

Your Reserve Service awards will not show up on the DD214 since the DD214 is Active Duty only, at least when I was in 1991-1995.

I went through the same challenge for my O-5 board. I am a former SSG 75Z. The 214 is a source document. It suffices. Multiple awards are issued for service, sans orders. Insist. And file a request with ABCMR is the HR system does not honor your record.

Contract your units where you were awarded. They have a copy on file somewhere. If not, your SOL.

If it's on the 214, you have it. Pin it on.

Are there any other specific benefits to have been awarded?

Your signature on the DD214 is you certifying all time served and awards earned. If you failed to validate the details before you signed, then tough luck.

Dude, I'm just now seeing this so yeah, I'm a little late to the party. The one thing I can say with 100% certainty though is NO S1 shop anywhere has ever cared about their people. Not Army. Not Marine. Not Navy. Not Airforce. None of them. And if you go over their heads, they will go out of their way to fuck things up for you. Trust none of them. You're on your own with this one. Best of luck to you and your efforts.

The only award that may not be listed in the retirement award. As far as your records....eBenefits is the site where you can get a copy of your 214. You can also get a copy where you exited Service. Hope that helps.