VFW: What’s the DD214 for? | News, Sports, Jobs

Bet you didn’t know there are 8 very good reasons why a DD214 is such an important piece of paper! For those of you who don’t know what a DD214 is, it is the paper issued to a veteran upon the end of his/her military service. With a DD214, veterans have many benefits that this paper will be of considerable help to them in their future endeavors.

A VA Mortgage loan can help a veteran and family purchase a home anywhere in the country with a Certificate of Eligibility. But, in order to get this certificate, the DD214 must be supplied. In the event of a Military funeral, an honor guard is provided free and is usually handled by the funeral director. And of course, the DD214 is necessary for this.

VA benefits from the GI Bill to Mortgage loans, disability compensation and home improvement grants can all be obtained by the mere presence of this paper. Many employers will use the DD214 for background checks to prove the veteran’s status and confirm his/her discharge. In many jobs that have a security clearance, the veteran’s DD214 is necessary.

There are some government jobs which offer a points based preference system for hiring veterans. The U.S. Navy offers sea burials for Veterans, active duty members and even some family members plus civilians. There are Burial Benefits from the National Cemetery Administration which operates through the Department of Veterans Affairs and they have an array of burial benefits.

Most states also offer special license plates for all veterans. There are some specific designations for those who are a Purple Heart or Medal of Honor recipient. The DD214 is definitely an important paper to have and those who have earned it can show it proudly.

A person can go on line to DD214.com to get the form if it has been misplaced or head to their nearest VFW or American Legion Post to get assistance in retrieving this most vital piece of paper. At VFW Post 4174, located at 25 S. Homestead Road in Lehigh Acres, we would be proud to help anyone obtain their paper if it’s been lost in moving, misplaced in some remote file cabinet or even “eaten by the dog”.

Be sure and stop by for help if you need it. You’ll be glad you did!