Armed Forces Member/Veteran

Requirement- Serving/served on AD (including basic training) in the Army, Navy, Air

Force, Marines, or Coast Guard.- National Guard or Reserve only considered veterans if called to active

federal duty by presidential order for a purpose other than training.- Any service characterization except dishonorable. Includes

fraudulent entry provided entire period of service was not voided.- Service academy/preparatory school students for at least 1 day are

veterans if service characterization was not dishonorable.- The possession of a DD214 does not mean the person is a veteran.

DD Form 214- Block 2: Department, Component and Branch

- Army/RA = Regular - Army/USAR = Reserve - Army/ARNGUS = National Guard

- Navy – USN = Regular- Navy – USNR = Reserve

- USMC – 11 = Regular- USMC – K1 = Reserve

- Air Force – REGAF = Regular- Air Force – AFRC = Reserve- Air Force – ANGUS = Air National Guard

- Homeland Security – USCG = Regular - Homeland Security – USCGR = Reserve

DD Form 214- Block 12.c.: Record of Serve - Net Active Service This Period

- Determine length of active service for DD 214 period. Note: Guard/Reserve personnel can have more than one DD 214.

- If the member was AD, served 1 or more days, and did not receive a dishonorable discharge (Block 24) they are considered a veteran even if they committed a military crime or were discharged for conduct/performance (Block 28). Fraudulent entry is acceptable permitted their entire period of service was not voided.

Block 18: Remarks- If the member was Guard/Reserve they must have been called to AD by presidential orders for

purposes other than training. - If the member served for purposes other than training it will be identified stating where they served

and the dates. - If service was anything other than dishonorable and meets the criteria list above then the member is a

veteran. - Title 32 v. Title 10 is typically specific here. - If the Guard/Reserve member was on active duty for training only then they are not considered a

veteran for financial aid purposes. This can be determined by looking at blocks 2, 11, 12.c, 18, 23, 24, & 28.

- Block 23: Type of Separation- This entry depends on the Character of Service (24). If block 24 is anything other than

Honorable you will typically see “Discharge” or “Discharged”.- If member was Guard/Reserve and on AD for training you will see “Release from active duty

training” or “Release from IADT” or “Released from active duty”.- AD members will have “Released from active duty”.

- Block 24: Character of Service- DD 214 must have a Service Characterization of anything other than dishonorable to be

considered a veteran.- Block 28: Narrative Reason for Separation

- “Completion of Required Active Service” “Fraudulent Entry” “Misconduct (Serious Offense)” “Completion of Initial Active Duty Training”

DD Form 214