AR 635-8
8–3. When to prepare the DD Form 215
a. Prepare a DD Form 215 in response to a request for a Soldier or veteran to correct a previously issued Army DD
Form 214. Requests should contain a copy of the DD Form 214 in question and source documents that substantiate the
request to change the DD Form 214. Such source documents may include a final decision from the Army Board of
Correction of Military Records or Army Discharge Review Board directing the change.
b. Only activities specified in paragraph 8–1
b and
c are authorized to issue a DD Form 215 after the Soldier’s
separation from active duty.
8–4. Special instructions concerning the preparation of DD Form 215
a. Do not issue a DD Form 215 when more than one page will be required to complete the correction. Administratively
issue a new DD Form 214.
b. Do not issue a DD Form 215 when two DD Forms 215 have already been issued for the same DD Form 214.
Administratively issue a new DD Form 214.
c. Do not issue a DD Form 215 to correct block 24 (Character of Service). Issue a new DD Form 214.
d. Do not use punctuation on a DD Form 215 unless the entry is monetary, part of a unit name, or to complete an
address with a nine-digit zip code.
e. Data for items 1, 2, 3, and 4 of the DD Form 215 must be transcribed exactly as it appears on the DD Form 214
being corrected, even if the data contains typographical errors. Item 3 will reflect both the social security number and
service number if both are shown on the DD Form 214 being corrected.
f. In some cases, certain items being corrected only appear on certain copies of the DD Form 215. If items 25, 26,
27 are being corrected, the entry will only appear on copies 2, 4, 7, and 8 of the DD Form 215. Items 23, 24, 28, 29,
and 30 should appear on all copies except copy 1 of the DD Form 215. In cases where there are no corrections that
should appear on copy 1, enter the phrase “NOTHING FOLLOWS” on copy 1.
g. Item 5 on the DD Form 215 being issued is taken from block 12b on the DD Form 214 being corrected. Enter the
date in day, abbreviated month, and year format (for example 15 Jul 1979).
h. Item 5 is used to correct items 1 through 30 of a DD Form 214. Enter the block number being corrected in the
left column. Enter the corrected information in the right section beginning with “ADD” or “DELETE,” as appropriate.
i. If a second request is received to correct a block that was previously corrected, void the first DD Form 215 by
typing on the last line of the new DD Form 215 “VOID PREVIOUSLY ISSUED DD FORM 215 (DATE OF FIRST
DD FORM 215).” If the request is to correct a previously issued DD Form 215 and an additional item is being
corrected, issue a new DD Form 215 without voiding the first DD Form 215.
j. For item 6 enter the same state the veteran requested on block 20 of the DD form 214 being corrected or as
directed by the veteran.
k. For item 6a if the DD Form 214 is the August 2008 or later version and the veteran directed that a copy of copy 3
be provided to the VA central office, then mark “Yes.”
l. After the last entry enter “//NOTHING FOLLOWS//.”
8–5. Requirements by agency maintaining records
Copies of a Soldier’s DD Forms 214 may be obtained from the following sources, as applicable:
24 AR 635–8 • 10 February 2014
a. Soldiers and veterans who have Army Knowledge Online access can obtain copies of DD Forms 214 via the “My
Personnel” tab under the Self Service drop down menu.
b. Soldiers and veterans who register for level 2 premium eBenefits through the Veterans Administration at
http://www.ebenefits.va.gov can obtain copies of DD Forms 214 from iPERMS through the Defense Personnel Records
Information Retrieval System.
c. Installation military personnel divisions or ARNG State level headquarters may provide Soldiers and veterans
with copies of DD Forms 214 available from iPERMS.
d. For Soldiers separated prior to 1 October 2002 who are no longer in military service, forward requests to the
National Personnel Records Center. Relevant information may be found at
http://www.archives.gov/veterans/militaryservice-
records/.
e. For Soldiers separated after 1 October 2002 who do not have DD Forms 214 available in iPERMS, forward
request to Commander, U.S. Army Human Resources Command (AHRC–PDR–HI), 1600 Spearhead Division Avenue,
Department 420, Fort Knox, KY 40122–5402.
f. If a Soldier has supplied an authorization to furnish a copy of the DD Form 214 to another individual or group,
ensure the copy furnished does not contain the “Special Additional Information” section.
g. Provide a copy of DD Form 214 to authorized personnel for official purposes only.