The Secret Code on Your DD Form 214

Posted on August 7, 2013August 19, 2019 by walt313

So you got an Honorable Discharge from the Military.  So what?  You need to double check it to see if you’ve been fucked over.

Are you a veteran?  Been having a hard time finding good employment?  Have you been told you have to wait a year to see a specialist at the VA hospital?  There is a secret code on your DD Form 214 that everyone but you know about.  Employers like Boeing, Honeywell, General Dynamics and many more have been provided the codes that they use to determine if you get hired.

Watch this video and I’ll have more afterwards.

WATCH PART TWO     WATCH PART THREE     WATCH PART FOUR

By now you’re saying, “That’s not me.  My DD214 doesn’t have that code.”

Look again Sports Fan.  The SPN code discussed on the videos apply to Veitnam Era discharges.  They were replaced by newer codes.

Look at Blocks 26 and 27

Those are my codes.  MCB is “Early separation- Special Separation Program”  3S is “Special Separation Program”.  It means I took the Special Separation Bonus when I elected to separate in 1992.  The codes also bar me from reenlistment or federal employment with the caveat that if I find a federal job or reenlist (in say, the National Guard) I would not accrue pay until I paid back the $50,000 Bonus.  That’s including the tax taken out.

HERE ARE SOME OTHER CODES YOU MIGHT LIKE TO KNOW ABOUT

BLC – Homosexuality

BLF – Drug use

DFS – Good of the Service, conduct triable by court martial

FCM – Concientious Objector

FDF – Pregnancy

GHJ – Unsuitability (Reason Unknown)

GKE – Financial Irresponsibility

GLH – Lack of Dependent Support

GLJ – Shirking

GLK – Unsanitary Habits

GMF – Sexual Perversion

GMG – Alcoholism

HLB – Discreditable Incidents – Civilian or Military

JDG – Parenthood

JKB – Civil Court conviction

JRA – Engaged, attempted to engage or solicit another to engage in a homosexual act

JRB – Admission of Homosexuality or bisexuality

JRC – Marriage or attempted marriage to a person known to be of the same biological sex

KBD – Retirement – 20 – 30 Years Service

KFB – Minority

KNL – Good of the Service

LFF – Directed by service authority

JFU – Positive Urinalysis

IF I’VE HELPED YOU, FEEL FREE TO TOSS A COUPLE OF BUCKS IN MY TIP JAR  OVER THERE————->

HERE’S A MASTER LIST OF MOST OF THEM

But not all of them.  It took a little Googling for me to find mine. YOU HAVE FIVE YEARS FROM TIME OF DISCHARGE TO CHANGE THIS CODE IF YOU NEED TO.

66 thoughts on “The Secret Code on Your DD Form 214”

  3. I was discharged in 1978, and I didn’t find out about this code on my dd 214. Mine says character disorder. Guess I can file for disability payments, then.

  4. Give it a shot but beware. My disability is for depression and the VA took away my ability to manage my own money. Which I do very well. They asked if I pay my bills as well as I think I should. My dumbass said “No”. BAM! Financially Irresponsibility. They didn’t ask the follow-up question, “Why?” If you lose $85,000 of income, you try to pay your bills. Fuckers.

  5. When President Ford, granted the Pardon, “clemency ” for the offense of AWOL, for a less then Honorable, was any other stipulation attached to that Pardon? Working with a Veteran, and the VA, refuses to honor, said Pardon.
    Please advise.
    Thanks

  6. My father-in-law ran the Army Discharge Review Board in the early 80’s. He said that they were overruling 80% of the BCD’s they saw. But these were VD BCD’s from World War Two. Contact the Discharge Review Board of your Branch of Service.

  11. The JJ series are court martials.
    JJB Court Martial
    JJC Court Martial for Desertion
    JJD Court Martial, Other

  12. I have searched for any alphabetical codes with numbers. Usually when they appear with a number, that number indicates which branch grants eligibility or ineligibility to enlist. The numbers are Branch specific so a USAF 4 isn’t a USMC 4. JEEZ!

  13. JFL1 – Physical disability with severance pay, USAF
    JFL2 – Physical disability that existed prior to service but was aggravated by the Service, with severance pay, USAF

  15. SPN 201 – Enlisted Personnel – Expiration of term of service (includes personnel on ADT as initial trainees).

  17. What does mcd mean? Don’t see that discharge code anywhere been trying to find out.

  18. The Veteran has contended that his separation from service was due to either a Medical Conduct Discharge, or a Mental Conduct Discharge. The Veteran’s DD 214 reflects that the Veteran’s type of separation was “relief from [active duty for training]”, the Veteran’s character of service was “honorable”, the separation authority for the Veteran was “PARA 5-15 AR 635-200”, and the Veteran’s separation code was “MCD”. The Veteran has repeatedly asked for clarification to the effect of his “MCD” separation code. The Board notes that Army Regulations 623-200, PARA 5-15 encompasses early release of reserve component personnel serving Active Guard Reserve tours. In light of the fact that the Veteran is seeking service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, efforts should be undertaken to clarify for the record the meaning of the separation code.

  19. Please tell what GFX means it was Honorable this was back in 87 and I’ve never attempted to get any help from the veterans office.

  20. GFX- PERSONALITY DISORDER Involuntary discharge approved by recommendation of a board when a personality disorder, not amounting to a disability, which significantly impairs the member’s ability to function effectively in the military environment

  21. We’re in the same boat, bro – can’t find what separation code m-22 means, either.
    Feel free to shoot me an email if you find out what it means. Thanks!

  24. Bill brings up an important point. If you ask here, you mustn’t be shy about a VD BCD or something. We’re all sharing info here. I will continue to post the answers.

  25. box 25 separation authority
    Chapter 2 AR 635 – 200 what does that mean ? and box 27 Reenlistment code
    RE-1B RE-3B what does that mean?

  26. Hello L,
    1B
    Fully qualified for enlistment/reenlistment. Applies to persons who were fully qualified when last separated; however, reenlistment was not authorized at time of separation under strength management program.
    3B
    Ineligible for enlistment/reenlistment unless a waiver is granted. Applies to persons who have time lost during their last period of service.
    As for Chapter 2 AR 635 – 200, this is what I got.

    The Veteran has contended that his separation from service was due to either a Medical Conduct Discharge, or a Mental Conduct Discharge. The Veteran’s DD 214 reflects that the Veteran’s type of separation was “relief from [active duty for training]”, the Veteran’s character of service was “honorable”, the separation authority for the Veteran was “PARA 5-15 AR 635-200”, and the Veteran’s separation code was “MCD”. The Veteran has repeatedly asked for clarification to the effect of his “MCD” separation code. The Board notes that Army Regulations 623-200, PARA 5-15 encompasses early release of reserve component personnel serving Active Guard Reserve tours. In light of the fact that the Veteran is seeking service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, efforts should be undertaken to clarify for the record the meaning of the separation code.

  27. Walt – I too have the M22 in box 26 and in box 27 1J and in box 28 Early Separation Program – Strength Reduction.

    I read the your post above as M22 : Medically discharged because of dependent’s health.

    This is strange, I was married with a infant child but neither were in bad health. I would’ve remained in USAF with Medical Coverage.

    Question: Having M22 what does that mean is it negative for me applying for any VA Benefits or? I was never discharged or processed out, which I am now completing and filing for VA benefits due to my understanding from other VETS that I should’ve been receiving monetary and VA Benefits for loss of hearing etc. Just curious. Been a long time and just frustrated with process. Thanks

  28. Mac,
    Let me sort this out. What Branch were you in? Your hearing loss if service connected which means it’s in your medical records can be back-dated to your discharge date or at least a few years. This could be a good check. I was a SSB and got paid $50,000 on discharge. To get my VA disability I had to pay back the $50k including the taxes. This was a mistake and I fought the VA for four years to get refunded $11k.

    Your ability to get VA care is based on income. When I applied I had an income of zero and did not qualify because they use your last year’s taxes to determine eligibility. I had made $85K the year before so I had to wait for the new year’s tax return to qualify. Then I got a service connected disability which generated a check.

    READ THIS
    Adventures at the VA

  29. My dd214 shows a desperation code of K14. And Reenlistment code of 2X. Have read the code and can’t find either. Any help would be appreciated. Seperated June of 84. USAF

  30. John,
    2K: Has been formally notified by the unit commander of initiation of involuntary separation action. you’re right, K12 os tricky. The K series are discharge programs and I suspect K12 was a special separation program for force reduction.

  32. JBK-Service initiated discharge directed by established directive upon completion of required active service.

    You got out after your hitch.

  33. I have a separation code of MCB from 1992 discharge. When I separated, I signed a letter stating that I would Not have to pay back the SSB if, I don’t ever retire from any component of the military (I didn’t), or get a civil service job, (I didn’t). Now, I can’t find the letter, but last year I found that MCB code on the internet. Now the V.A. is saying that I have to pay it back, and guess what? I cannot find the MCB code anywhere. Can anyone help me out?

  34. Thomas,
    MCB is the same code I got in 92. It’s the Special Separation Code. When I got my VA disability and because it comes from the Treasury, I was told I had to pay back $50K. My check was for $39K after taxes so the VA forced me to repay $11K in taxes tat I never saw. Needles to say I fought tooth and nail. My DAV rep got me to 90%. As he said, “It’s a fake death so we’ll repay it with fake money”. Fake Money being money I never see. After paying everything back, I went after the taxes. Hundreds of hours on hold on the phone. Being transferred to helpful Vets working in the VA and I finally spoke to the person who would cut me a check for $11K. Many before you and I wanted to work for the government or serve out their time in the Guard or Reserve. Because of them bitching, Congress passed a bill in 1996 saying that the taxed portion of the SSB payment was NOT to be repaid.

    What does all mean to you?

    Defense Finance and Accounting Service must recoup the SSB payment. The VA tells them what tat amount is. You should be repaying the SSBP in the amount of the net after taxes. There is no way around that. If you have been over-paying you can get the ball rolling on a refund by calling the DFAS

    Customer Service
    800-321-1080
    M-F, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET

    CLICK THIS LINK-ADVENTURES AT THE VA

  35. I have m13 as a separation code and a reentry code of 1j but I do not see it anywhere. Any clue?

  36. Reenlistment Eligibility Data Display (REDD) Code Definitions V 1.0 30 MAY 2015

    M-13 Medical discharge, Temporary disability-Retired.
    1j : Eligible to reenlist, but elects separation.

  37. Retired beginning of 2007 my sep codes are RBC and 2V can’t find these anywhere does anyone know what they mean?

  38. I hope you can assist. I was able to separate 5 months early. I was Reserve and my spouse Active Army. Operation desert shield had just started. I was pregnant and we had a toddler with no family to care for the child if we should both get deployed. I was told I was not able to get VA benefits due to this early exit. Is this true? On my Dd214 I have the code MCD. What does that mean?
    Any help would be greatly appreciated.
    Susan St Armand

  39. MCD- A Medical Conduct Discharge or a Mental Conduct Discharge. The DoD refuses to clarify which is which. VA treatment without a disability is based on income. I was denied treatment because of income when my income was zero. To determine income, the VA uses your last tax statement. I had to wait and refile with a new statement. Another route is disability. You’d be amazed to find out that the VA considers you disabled. The DAV helped me sort that out. https://www.dav.org/veterans/find-your-local-office/

    “Some experiences may differ”

  41. Violet,
    This gets kind of murky. The A in 214A is for Addendum or change to the original 214. Some Veterans have two page 214’s and the A might be the second page. I have not found the exact instructions on this. However I do know of two page 214’s and Addendums. My father-in-law ran the Army Discharge Review Board and 80% of the BCD’s were switched to Honorable. Before everyone pees in their pants, most BCD’s overturned were for World War Two VD discharges. That sounds bad…ew.

    Do either of these answers fit your situation? Can anyone else out there answer this question?

  42. Wow after seeing this video, I am in complete awe.. Not only am I from Upstate NY but when I was discharged I was in Lewes, DE. my husband at the time was in the Navy in which he was discharged dishonorably from the Navy due to the fact that my First SGT and His commanding officer were drinking buddies. I was discharged with a discharge that nobody can identify. I am 100% T&P after 20 years of separation. There was a lot of BS in the military during that time. I have a MCD discharge. Please explain this code for i can not find it and nobody knows what it is and im having a difficult time getting my VA home loan.. odd but true as a 100% disabled vet. hmmmm

  44. A code that I have not seen here is “HFX” (Separation Auth: AFR 39-10), and Re-Entry code 2C (my discharge date was 17JUL1992). In Box 28, they called it “Conditions that interfere with military service – NOT DISABILITY – Character/Behavior Disorder”. From what I understand, when I was let go, PTSD had not been fully recognized yet. As AF Ammo, on any given day, you didn’t know if you were going home to your family, or to meet your maker.

    Any thoughts on what the codes mean?

  46. what is separation code k14 mean
    they were trying to get me discharged back in 89 but i did alot of reading and the panel decided not to do nothing…but when it came to reenlist my commander told that he would reenlist me but wasnt because the advocate stated that he would do everything in his power to get discharged or prosecuted. so my commander felt it would be of my best interest not to reenlist me; he did give me an honorable discharge. i won my case fair and square yet i still get discharged.

  48. US army 1976 discharge dashes ———- for reinlistment what does that mean

  49. Hello!
    I retired from the Air Force in 1992. I know my Reentry Code of 2V means applied for retirement and approved. But I can’t find what my Separation Code is. Because the carbon copy typing is on the line of the form, the Separation Code is either B12, BI2, R12 or RI2.

    Thank you!

  52. What is a separation code of MND? I was advised by flight surgeon to take an early out due to health issues and file for VA Disability because I was close to re-enlistment & he didn’t want me to continue in my current AFSC, but he couldn’t find a suitable career field either. It took me five years and bankruptcy to get my VA Disability and I am still fighting for Social Security & shortly after being discharged I had to have back surgery bc my back broke from bulging discs since the “flight surgeon” didn’t want to recommend surgery since I was going to accept the “early out he convinced me to accept!!

  53. MND Service member initiated release/transfer to another Service
    component/component status when a Service component
    does not have a Service reporting requirement for specific
    reasons and desires to identify reasons collectively “All other
    reasons” which qualify a member for separation

  58. Do you happen to know what this separation code means?
    (SDN:900)
    it is printed along with AFR 39-10 ETS which seems to be standard AF discharge from the 1960s.

  59. Do you happen to know what this separation code means?
    (SDN:900)
    it is printed along with AFR 39-10 ETS which seems to be standard AF discharge from the 1960s.

  60. For someone that served in the Army from 1967 – 1970 in Germany and received a Honorable discharge but had a “AR 635-200 SPN 411 Early Separation from OS”, what does that mean? He was shorted time service. He had a Reenlistment code of RE1. Could you please tell me what this meant for him? Thank you.

  61. Walt just want to say thanks for all the time and effort you put not only into this code business, but the web sites and keeping the Hahn and all other places memories alive.
    Gus H. 313th SrA 1988-91 Hahn AFB
    1991-94 Spangdahlem AFB
    1994-95 Luke AFB

  65. I was honorably discharged from the USAF in January 1990. Correctly my re entry code is 1J. However, I have always wondered about the Separation Code in box 26 which has M22 for the code. I did not have any dependents was not married and does the M somehow have something to do with Medical?? I’m really concerned but this is weird on my DD214. I just never thought it could hurt me for employment purposes but I have had some questionable employment rejections for unknown reasons. I never had any medical reasons for discharge. I just elected to separate instead of re enlisting when my time came to re enlist or not. There was Bush Senior strength reduction at the time.

  66. My DD-214 is the version of 1972. Where on this version would the codes be located?
    I recently obtained a copy of my DD-214 from the National Archives and found block 9c (Authority and Reason) was filled with unrecognized numbers and letters. None of this is on the original that I signed. I of course still have it.

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