September 11, 2025

DD-214-1 Explained: The New Separation Form for Departing or Retiring Reservists

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The DD-214 has long been considered the “gold standard” for verifying military service. The form is often required when veterans seek VA benefits, employment, or membership in veterans’ groups. The DD-214-1 (Certificate of Uniformed Service, Reserve Component Addendum) extends the same comprehensive documentation to traditional guardsmen and reservists. 

In a 2022 memo, the Department of Defense gave all reserve components three years to issue a uniform separation form to replace the forms for each individual component.  

In this post, we’ll cover what you need to know about the new form, including what it is, who receives it, and how it might make the lives of retired or separated service members a little bit easier.

Summary of Key Points

  • Form DD-214-1 is a single, comprehensive record of a reserve component service member’s active and reserve service. 
  • The DD-214-1 is recognized across all military reserve components and replaces their individual separation forms. 
  • You could receive a DD-214-1 as an addendum to your DD-214 if you separated or were released from a reserve component; transferred to the Individual Ready Reserve or the Inactive National Guard, or Standby Reserve; or if you retire from a reserve component. 

What is a DD-214-1?

FORM DD-214-1.

The Form DD-214-1 is a record of service issued to reservists and guardsmen when retiring or separating from service. It’s an addendum to the DD-214; the DD-214 itself is issued according to the reserve component’s regulations, usually after every activation that lasts 90 days or more.  

As a reservist, you might be issued many DD-214s depending on the length and frequency of your activations. However, you will only be issued one DD-214-1 upon retirement, separation, or certain transfers (for example, to the IRR, Inactive National Guard, Standby Reserve, or Retired Reserve). Your DD-214-1 is a comprehensive summary of your military career. 

What is a DD-214-1 Used For?

Many veterans’ benefits, employment services, and veteran association memberships require a DD-214 as proof of veteran status. If you’re a retired or separated member of a military reserve component, the DD-214-1 will fulfill that requirement. 

It’s an official record of your service that you’ll likely need in the years ahead. A DD-214-1 may be required when:

  • Applying for jobs that ask for proof of military service
  • Filing VA benefits claims, such as disability compensation, healthcare, or education benefits
  • Accessing state or local veteran programs, like tuition waivers, tax benefits, or veteran ID cards
  • Joining veteran service organizations, including the American Legion, VFW, or DAV

Having a standardized form makes the process simpler and ensures reservists are recognized consistently across agencies and organizations.

What Does Form DD-214-1 Mean for Reservists and Guardsmen?

With the standardization of the DD-214-1, every member of a reserve component can retire or separate from service with a single, comprehensive record of their active and reserve service.  

If you’re issued a DD-214-1, that also means that the Defense Manpower Data Center, which is the official distribution source for information contained within the forms, will send your information to the VA, Department of Labor, and to the state indicated on your forms. Applying for your veterans’ benefits should be that much easier since your information will already be in their systems. 

Who Issues the Form DD-214-1?

Each of the reserve components issue the DD-214-1 to their respective service members. 

Who Receives a DD-214-1?

According to the DOD, a DD-214-1 will be issued in conjunction with a DD-214 to the following: 

  • Members who are separated or released from a reserve component 
  • Reserve component members transferred to the Individual Ready Reserve or the Inactive National Guard 
  • Reserve component members transferred to the Standby Reserve or Retired Reserve 
  • Recalled retirees reverting to retired status 
  • As prescribed under other circumstances determined by the uniformed service concerned 

A DD-214-1 is not required to be issued for: 

  • National Guard members who transfer states 
  • Personnel whose reserve component service is terminated by death 
  • Every issuance of a DD-214 

Reservists Preparing to Separate from Service

Each branch of the reserve components issued memos and fact sheets to their troops regarding the updated DD-214-1 as it was implemented. 

Those memos indicate that there are no changes to how you prepare to separate from service. You should follow the guidance of your branch, which generally involves reviewing retirement points; submitting separation and retirement requests on time; and reviewing, signing, and returning DD-214 and DD-214-1 forms in a timely manner. 

Can Reservists Get VA Disability?

Can National Guard Veterans Get VA Disability?

Conclusion

The DD-214-1 is recognized across all military reserve components and standardizes separation documentation across the services. If you’re a retired or separated reservist, the DD-214-1 is a comprehensive record of your active and reserve service and can serve in place of a traditional DD-214 for obtaining veterans benefits, employment, or membership into veteran organizations.  

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FAQs | Frequently Asked Questions

Is the DD-214-1 just a DD-214 for reservists?

Kind of. It’s an addendum to a DD-214 that might be issued to a reservist after they’ve completed at least 90 days of consecutive active-duty training. However, while a reservist might be issued many DD-214s depending on the length and frequency of activations, they will only be issued one DD-214-1 upon retirement or separation from service. The DD-214-1 is a comprehensive summary of the entire military career.

Is the DD-214-1 basically a Statement of Service?

No, it’s better. The DD-214-1 provides an official record of service, while a Statement of Service does not.

What is the DD-214-1 for reserves?

The Form DD-214-1 is a record of service issued to reservists and guardsmen when retiring or separating from service. It’s an addendum to the DD-214; the DD-214 itself is issued according to the reserve component’s regulations, usually after every activation that lasts 90 days or more. 

What is a DD-214-1 used for?

The DD-214-1 is used to verify a reservist or guardsman’s service history. It can be presented for employment, VA disability or health care benefits, education programs, state and local veteran benefits, or membership in veteran organizations. Essentially, it’s the reserve component equivalent of the DD-214 for active-duty veterans.

About the Author

Katie McCarthy is a writer and editor with experience in daily news and digital and print magazine publishing. She honed her editorial (and firearms) skills at Guns & Ammo before helping launch Black Rifle Coffee Company’s Coffee or Die Magazine as the managing editor. She holds degrees in English (BA) and public administration (MPA). Katie is a military spouse and word nerd who enjoys reading, hiking, camping, gardening, and spending time with her family.

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