While most people aren’t surprised to learn that veterans can be legally given preferential treatment when applying for public sector (federal or civil) jobs, many have no idea that 35 states and counting have approved Private Employer Veteran Preference legislation.

This means that companies in those states can choose for themselves whether or not to award preference to veterans, as long as the veterans have skills and experience that are comparable to competing civilian applicants. Encouragingly, the number of participating companies is steadily growing.

But without your DD-214, you’re just another candidate . . .

A DD-214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty form is issued to veterans by the U.S. Military upon discharge or separation from service. It not only serves as proof of service, but also tells potential employers a veteran’s:

  • Date and place of entry into active duty
  • Home address at time of entry
  • Date and place of release from active duty
  • Home address after separation
  • Last duty assignment and rank
  • Military job specialty
  • Military education
  • Decorations, medals, badges, citations and campaign awards received
  • Total creditable service
  • Foreign service credited
  • Separation information (date and type of separation, character of service, authority and reason for separation and separation and reenlistment eligibility codes)

(Source) https://www.archives.gov/st-louis/military-personnel/dd-214.html

The last item, separation information, indicates whether a veteran received anything other than an honorable discharge, which might include General Discharge, Other Than Honorable Conditions Discharge, Bad Conduct Discharge or Dishonorable Discharge.

Although most employers aren’t allowed by law to discriminate against applicants that have been released less than honorably, they are permitted (and likely) to pay attention to any records of military school, special training, awards and commendations.

MOS (Military Job Specialty)

To a prospective employer, a veteran’s MOS code is assuredly the most interesting part of a DD214 form. Military jobs run almost as wide a gamut as civilian jobs, from plumber to musician, microbiologist to illustrator, teacher to veterinary technician.

Says Willie Hensley, former Deputy Assistant Secretary for Human Resources, Dept. of Veterans Affairs, "Service members transitioning from the military today are some of the most educated, technically savvy, professionally qualified the armed forces have ever produced."

Because of this, employers are more than happy to see veterans applicants and growing numbers of businesses are pushing for Private Employer Veteran Preference legislation in every state.

Commendations, Medals and Special Training

Section 11 of the DD214 form contains special awards such as the Sharpshooter Medal, the Good Conduct Medal, Flight Surgeon Badge or the Humanitarian Service Medal, not only speak to a veteran’s skill set, but also their character.

Right below, section 12 details any training a veteran may have had while enlisted, such as electrical, medical, engineering, coding, ballistics, firefighting, etc. Many veterans are highly trained and multidisciplinary, so when they can prove that with a DD214, they strongly increase their chances of landing a great job.

What if you don’t have your DD214, but you’re in the process of applying for work right now?

Most veterans know that they can order their DD214s (and other separation papers) for free from eVetRecs.com. They also know that, unfortunately, eVetRecs can be notoriously slow, involve multiple callbacks/emails, create anxiety and fail to deliver your documents in a timely fashion, if at all.

Which is why you need DD214Direct.com. Founded by veterans, for veterans, DD214Direct.com is your one-stop personal advocate and representative. Our competitive, three-tiered pricing lets you choose just how quickly you’d like your papers to arrive. Not only that, but you can take care of the entire transaction online.

No matter which service you choose, it will most likely be weeks, perhaps months, faster than if you wait for eVetRecs, which requires you to print out forms, mail them in and then wait for return mail.

Our team of seasoned "document bloodhounds" has mastered the art of catching a scent and following the trail, which could lead to over 100 records repositories throughout the U.S. Not only that, but their rapport with the government representatives they work with every day is excellent, so they manage to get better results at a much higher rate than callers with less experience.

Don’t go to your job interview without your DD214! Contact DD214Direct.com today and let us help you land the job you’ve been dreaming about.