• Anyone separated from the Armed Forces under dishonorable conditions, or whose character of service bars veteran’s benefits.
• Anyone ordered to report to an induction station but not actually inducted into military service.
• Anyone discharged from the Selected Reserve before completing one term of enlistment or initial obligated service for reasons other than a disability incurred or aggravated in the line of duty.
• Anyone convicted of a Federal or State capital crime and sentenced to death or life imprisonment.

The preferred document is the DD Form 214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty). If the DD Form 214 is not available, any discharge document showing service under conditions other than dishonorable may be used.

A DD Form 214 may be requested by completing Standard Form 180 and sending it to:

• National Personnel Records Center (NPRC)
• 9700 Page Blvd.
• St. Louis, MO 63132

Standard Form 180 is available from the National Records Center or online at: https://www.gsa.gov/reference/forms/request-pertaining-to-military-records

Yes. Members of the Commissioned Officer Corps of the Public Health Service (PHS) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), as members of a Uniformed Service, are also eligible.

NOAA: Eligibility is established using NOAA Form 56-16 (Report of Transfer or Discharge). If the family does not have a copy, it may be obtained by contacting the Chief, Officer Services Division, NOAA Commissioned Personnel Center at (301) 713-7715, or by writing:

• National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
• Commissioned Personnel Center
• Chief, Officer Services Division (CPC1)
• 1315 East-West Highway, Room 12100
• Silver Spring, Maryland 20910

PHS: Eligibility is established using PHS Form 1867 (Statement of Service, equivalent to DD Form 214). If the family does not have a copy, it may be obtained by contacting the Privacy Coordinator for the Commissioned Corps at (240) 453-6041, or by writing:

• Division of Commissioned Personnel/HRS/PSC
• Attention: Privacy Act Coordinator
• 5600 Fishers Lane
• 4-36