Posted on Apr 3, 2024
Is there a DD214 equivalent while still in active duty?
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About to transition, job is asking for DD214 to be attached to resume, is there a document or memo I could attach instead.
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 8
Yes/No - There isn't an equivalent to the DD214 if you haven't had a previous period of active duty service.
However, your employer is probably asking for the DD214 to verify military service, but you'll have to ask the employer about that. A couple of alternate ways are:
● You can use your LES to show you are currently a member of the military
● If they have an account on the SCRA website*, they can do a records verification on you
● Memo from your command attesting to your service with contact information
● Use the DD-2586* (VMET) from milConnect
Depending on if this is an initial application that you're submitting, I would go with a letter from yourself explaining that you won't be issued a DD214 until you separate, include one of the other forms to show your current military service, and have your contact information listed if they need anything further.
If they are sticklers on it, then you won't be able to provide one until you seperate.
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* SCRA verification page - https://scra.dmdc.osd.mil/scra/#/home
* VMET - https://milconnect.dmdc.osd.mil/milconnect/protected/portlet/dodtap
However, your employer is probably asking for the DD214 to verify military service, but you'll have to ask the employer about that. A couple of alternate ways are:
● You can use your LES to show you are currently a member of the military
● If they have an account on the SCRA website*, they can do a records verification on you
● Memo from your command attesting to your service with contact information
● Use the DD-2586* (VMET) from milConnect
Depending on if this is an initial application that you're submitting, I would go with a letter from yourself explaining that you won't be issued a DD214 until you separate, include one of the other forms to show your current military service, and have your contact information listed if they need anything further.
If they are sticklers on it, then you won't be able to provide one until you seperate.
--------------------------------
* SCRA verification page - https://scra.dmdc.osd.mil/scra/#/home
* VMET - https://milconnect.dmdc.osd.mil/milconnect/protected/portlet/dodtap
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That's a helluva good question and you'd have to ask the prospective employer what they need. Obviously, if you are still on active duty and a sergeant, the character of your service is "Honorable." If they need proof of your skills, you could provide certificates awarding your MOS(s). As an officer, I wrote letters of recommendation to those serving under me. In many cases, the person had not yet contacted any prospective employers and I would include an outline of the types of information found on the DD-214. Hope this helps.
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If they are asking to verify your status, show them your ID. If they are asking for proof of training/experience, your JST should suffice?
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Suspended Profile
SGT (Join to see) -- Yes. It is called an Enlisted Record Brief (ERB) or an Officer Record Brief (ORB). That's it. It covers everything in your Personnel File--same as the DD214 once you retire.
Do up a statement of service MFR and get your company commander to sign it. If it is for a government job, it will need your "character of service" which reflects an anticipated "honorable" or "Under honorable Conditions" discharge. This can be a show stopper otherwise. The USAjobs templates has an example MFR you can start with.
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As COL Dan Ruder indicated, I would surmise your ERB would suffice. Get with your S1 shop if you need help accessing those documents. It would benefit you to write a good cover letter explaining that you are still active and do not have a DD214 (yet) but have enclosed an ERB that lists the same information. Years ago, we had a document that we used to verify we were on active duty in good standing. I don't remember the exact name of the form now but it was something like "Verification of Service" or similar. For all I know, the ERB has taken its place and is no longer issued.
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You could use a Smart transcript , milconnect DD-2586 or your LES depending on exactly what they are trying to verify.
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If you have served one complete tour of active duty, usually 4 years, every time you re-up/re-enlist, you can request a copy of your DD214 and a document that says honorably discharge. No break in service. Ask your S-1 NCOIC and see what they can provide for you. If you happen to be Army National Guard, I think the equivalent is a NGB-23. Good luck. Thank you for your service.
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COL Randall C.
?? I've heard of people getting honorary discharge certificates as part of a reenlistment ceremony, but you are not eligible as neither the DoD regulations nor the service-specific regulations* allow for a DD214 to be issued when someone reenlists (the exceptions being if you are changing components or services).
The National Guard equivalent to the DD-214 is/was the NGB-22 (the NGB-23 is the "points statement"). I said "is/was" as the services are transitioning to the DD 214-1 for reserve component servicemembers (NLT 17 FEB 25).
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* DoD guidance (DoDI 1336.01) - https://www.esd.whs.mil/Portals/54/Documents/DD/issuances/dodi/133601p.pdf
* Army (AR 635-8) - https://armypubs.army.mil/epubs/DR_pubs/DR_a/ARN38821-AR_635-8-001-WEB-3.pdf
* Air Force (AFI 36-3202) - https://static.e-publishing.af.mil/production/1/af_a1/publication/afi36-3202/afi36-3202.pdf
* Navy (BUPERSINT 1900.8C) - https://navytribe.files.wordpress.com/2015/11/bupersinst-1900-8.pdf
* Marine Corps (MCO 1900.16, Chapter 2) - https://www.marines.mil/portals/1/Publications/MCO%201900.16%20CH%202.pdf
The National Guard equivalent to the DD-214 is/was the NGB-22 (the NGB-23 is the "points statement"). I said "is/was" as the services are transitioning to the DD 214-1 for reserve component servicemembers (NLT 17 FEB 25).
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* DoD guidance (DoDI 1336.01) - https://www.esd.whs.mil/Portals/54/Documents/DD/issuances/dodi/133601p.pdf
* Army (AR 635-8) - https://armypubs.army.mil/epubs/DR_pubs/DR_a/ARN38821-AR_635-8-001-WEB-3.pdf
* Air Force (AFI 36-3202) - https://static.e-publishing.af.mil/production/1/af_a1/publication/afi36-3202/afi36-3202.pdf
* Navy (BUPERSINT 1900.8C) - https://navytribe.files.wordpress.com/2015/11/bupersinst-1900-8.pdf
* Marine Corps (MCO 1900.16, Chapter 2) - https://www.marines.mil/portals/1/Publications/MCO%201900.16%20CH%202.pdf
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CPT David Tanner
COL Randall C. - Thank you Colonel for your detailed response. I am more of an expert on engineering. Hopefully SGT Bowser will read your response. Most of my active duty enlisted time was spent in the Air Force as a Security Police and one year in the Army National Guard. In the Guard we would do short stints of AD and would get either a NBG-22 or a DD-214 based on whether we mobilized under Title 32 or deployed under Title 10. Thanks again, Dave
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COL Randall C.
CPT David Tanner - Ahhh, gotcha. It does get a bit weird regarding "why in this case, but not in that one?".
For instance, if an RC member is on active duty for mobilization orders under 10 USC 12301, 12302, 12304 and 32 USC 502 will be issued one regardless of the amount of time, but if it's for FTNG, ADT, ADOS, etc., it has to be 90+ continuous days of active duty.
Personally, I need a cheat sheet to keep it all straight.
For instance, if an RC member is on active duty for mobilization orders under 10 USC 12301, 12302, 12304 and 32 USC 502 will be issued one regardless of the amount of time, but if it's for FTNG, ADT, ADOS, etc., it has to be 90+ continuous days of active duty.
Personally, I need a cheat sheet to keep it all straight.
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CPT David Tanner
COL Randall C. - Yes, mine is even crazier than that. I did 12 years 4 months active Air Force, 18 years in the Army National Guard where I did 7 years 11 months of active duty during that time. 3 deployments and 2 years of active duty Army working for an Army Reserve Infantry BN Unit on a Army National Guard base once I hit sanctuary. I have many DD214s from my 30 years 3 months. :)
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