Guide to Self-Service Discharge Document Retrieval for ...dd214direct.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/DD214-Do-It-Yourself.pdfThe Guide to Self-Service Discharge Document Retrieval

Guide to Self-Service Discharge

Document Retrieval for Select Veterans

2

Introduction01

02

03

Table of Contents

How to Reset Username and Password

How to Register for an Account

Page 3

Page 6

Page 23

Copyright 2020 – All Rights Reserved

04 How to Log In and Request Files Page 33

What to Expect Page 4

Summary Page 5

Next Steps Page 44

Troubleshooting Page 45

IntroductionIn this guide you’ll find instructions for:

• Logging in and requesting your

DD214

• Getting your username and

resetting your password

These instructions are for those who

were discharged after*:

• Air Force 1 October 2004+

• Marines 1 January 1999+

• Army after 1 October 2002+

• Navy 1 Jan 1995+


*These dates are approximate. If your discharge was after this date and your records are not

available online, we can still retrieve them on your behalf and will credit the cost of this booklet

against the purchase price of our full-service option. Please go to DD214Direct.com or call us at

1-800-891-9285 to place your order.

Note: There are usability issues on the Safari browser. For best results, use

the Chrome browser to complete all processes.

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The Guide to Self-Service Discharge Document Retrieval for Select Veterans is designed for former military personnel and in most cases will help you access your DD214 discharge papers easily through the Defense Personnel Records Information Retrieval System (DPRIS) via the milConnect website.

This guide is designed for former military members with approximate discharge (ETS) dates after the following:

• Air Force 1 October 2004+• Marines 1 January 1999+• Army after 1 October 2002+• Navy 1 Jan 1995+

If you already have a DS Logon, please proceed to Section 4 (page 28) “How to Logon and Request Files”.

If for any reason during the process of requesting your discharge papers you encounter a problem, please reach out to DD214 Direct by either of the following:

• By Phone: 1-800-891-9285• By Email: [email protected]

What to Expect

Copyright 2020 – All Rights Reserved 4

The Guide to Self-Service Discharge Document Retrieval for Select Veterans contains step-by-step instructions to register for an account, get your username & reset passwords, and to download your discharge papers

Register (skip to page 23)

• Go to ebenefits.va.gov• Click the Register button• Follow-the instructions through the Registration Wizard

Get Username & Password (skip to page 6)

• Go to milconnect.dmdc.osd.mil/milconnect• Click the Forgot Username or Forgot Password link• Follow-the instructions to retrieve your credentials

Download Discharge Papers (skip to page 33)

• Go to milconnect.dmdc.osd.mil/milconnect• Login to your account• Type “DPRIS” into the search bar• Click the Defense Personnel Records Information Retrieval System

(DPRIS) link• Select the Request my Personnel File button• Enter your information• Select the files you want to download• Click the Create and Send Request button

• You will receive an email when your documents are ready. This is normally within 2 hours, but can take up to 48 hours to process.

Summary


https://www.ebenefits.va.gov/

https://milconnect.dmdc.osd.mil/milconnect/


How to Get Your

Username and Reset

Your Password

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6Copyright 2020 – All Rights Reserved

If this is your first time using the DPRIS system, you may be confused as to why you already have a username. If you have registered with any government organization after discharge for benefits, you were likely entered into the system without your knowledge.

If this is not your first time or it has been awhile since your last interaction, the system often requires a password reset.

Don’t get frustrated. This is the hardest part, but once you get through this, getting your DD214 is easy.

You will need to ensure that you make notes of your username, password, security image, and security question answers as they will be required for future logins.


How Do I Have a

Username?

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1. Go to milconnect.dmdc.osd.mil/milconnect

How to get your username

Section 2

2. Click the Sign In button.



3. On the next page, select the checkbox and click the Forgot Username?

4. On the next screen, fill in the First Name, Last Name, and Date of Birth fields.


5. Pick a Person Identifier type by using the dropdown menu. (Most people will choose Social Security Number)

6. Type in your Person Identifier number in the space provided.


8. Your Username will be displayed. Write your Username down for future reference.

7. Click the Continue button.



How to reset your password

Section 2




3. On the next page, click the Forgot Password? link.

4. On the next screen, fill in the First Name, Last Name, and Date of Birth fields.


5. Pick a Person Identifier type by using the dropdown menu. (Most people will choose Social Security Number)

6. Type in your Person Identifier number in the space provided.


8. Answer the Challenge Questions in the next section. Type your answers in the boxes.

The answers to these questions were supplied by you when you signed up for an account. You have 3 attempts to answer all challenge questions correctly.



10. If you fail to answer all 3 questions correctly, after your 3rd attempt, you will be given an alternative verification method. Click the I want to Remote Proof button on the next page.

9. Click the Submit button.


12. Read the terms and conditions. Click the I agree button to proceed.

11. The next page will give you instructions on how to verify your identity. Click the Continue button.



13. On the next page, type in your current or most recent U.S. domestic address.


16. Choose whether you’d like to receive the one-time PIN via text or phone call by ticking the corresponding radio button:

15. Answer the multiple-choice questions in 3 minutes.

The questions are generated randomly, so you might get a different set of questions than the ones shown below. After 3 minutes, the system will lock you out for 30 minutes before another attempt can be made.


18. Type in the 5-digit code that you received in the box.



20. On the next page, you’ll see the requirements for creating your new password.



22. You will be redirected to the login screen, where you will select the checkbox and enter your username and password.

21. Next, enter your new password and then confirm. Click continue and you are finished!


How to Register for an

Account

3


1. Go to ebenefits.va.gov from your Chrome browser

2. Click the Register button.


How to register for an account

Section 3


3. This will take you to the Registration Wizard.

4. Select the “I am one of the following” radio button.


5. Select the Continue button.

6. Enter your first name, last name, and date of birth.


7. Select Social Security Number from the dropdown and enter

your SSN into the Personal Identifier section.

Note: Your name must match exactly what is in DEERS. If your

name has changed since you served, you will need to contact the

DMDC Support Office (DSO) at 1-800-538-9552 for assistance in

changing your name in DEERS.




Note: If your information is not found in the DEERS system, you are directed

to submit a request to the Inquiry Routing Information System (IRIS) which

will let you contact the VA to have your identity validated and added to

DEERS.

Go to: iris.custhelp.com/app/ask and follow the instructions or reach out to

DD214 Direct for help in obtaining your discharge papers:


9. Create a password using the security tips as guidance.



11. Select and answer five challenge questions.



13. Select a security image and enter a personal image phrase.



15. Select a security image and enter a personal image phrase.

Note: Be sure to write down your username as displayed on

the screen. You will also want to make note of your password*,

security image, and security question answers as they will be

required for future logins and password resets.

*Do not keep a record of your username and password together.


How to Log In and

Request Files

4



How to log in and request files

Section 4




3. On the next page, type in your username and password.

4. Click the Login button.


5. On the next page, select your security image by clicking on the radio button below it.

Your security image is the picture you picked when you set up the account or logged in for the first time. You will need to remember this for the future.




7. Once you’re back on the milConnect homepage, go to the Search bar.

8. In the Search bar, type in DPRIS

9. Hit the Enter key on your keyboard to search.


10. On the search results page, click on the Defense Personnel Records Information Retrieval System (DPRIS) link.

11. On the next page, click on the Request Personnel File tab.


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12. Click the Request my Personnel File button under the Request Personnel File tab.

13. You will be taken to the Create New OMPF Request form where your first name, last name, and social security number will need to be entered (may be pre-populated).


14. Scroll down on the Create New OMPF Request form and fill in the Email Address and Confirm Email Address fields.

15. Check the box for your branch of service.


16. Check the box next to the document you’re requesting. a. If you are active duty, select SC1: DD214/DD215 b. b. If you are a reservist/National Guard, select SC6:

Discharge/Separation/Ret

Note: You may select all the documents to receive a download your full military records.

17. Click the Create and Send Request button.


18. The OMPF Requests section will reflect the request you’ve submitted. Click the View Files button when it appears.

19. The OMPF Files section will show the different files you have.


Note: You will receive an email when your documents are ready. This is normally within 2 hours, but can take up to 48 hours to process.

20. To download your DD214, click the Download File button beside File Description: SERVICE – DISCHARGE


While the DPRIS system is relatively straightforward, there can be issues with obtaining your DD214 from time to time. These can include:

• Personnel not in the system• Issues with login (see page 5)• DD214 not available in DPRIS




Next Steps

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Who is the sponsor?

Depending on who is requesting the discharge paperwork, the National Archives may need to verify the sponsors relationship. Sponsors may be:

• The Veteran – If the veteran is requesting their own documents• Next of Kin – If a family member is requesting for deceased

Veteran.• Power of Attorney – For Veterans who cannot request

themselves

If you need to reach out to the Department of Defense:

• By Phone: 1-866-272-6272

You can also reach out to DD214 Direct by either of the following:



Troubleshooting

45

If you are still having trouble obtaining your discharge papers, the issue is likely due to the website or system limitations and through no fault of your own.



www.DD214Direct.com

Contact DD214 Direct

Need Additional Assistance?


http://www.yourwebsite.com/

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Guide to Self-Service Discharge Document Retrieval for ...dd214direct.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/DD214-Do-It-Yourself.pdfThe Guide to Self-Service Discharge Document Retrieval