• DD214 Form
• Final Paycheck
• Continued Medical Coverage
• Uniforms
• Reenlistments Rights

Note: there may be slight differences in rules, regulations, and processes, depending on the branch of service you are about to leave.

DD214: Every member with a break in service of more than 24 hours should receive a DD214 form, properly (though rarely) called a Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty. This is a very important form, as it provides verification of your military service, experience, and training. You should receive two copies of the form, one with the information on the bottom blacked out. If you need to show the form to someone, such as the VA or a potential employer, they will probably want to see the complete form, including the type of discharge at the bottom.

Place both copies in a very safe location, together with instructions for requesting official copies. Though the military once recommended filing a copy with your local county recorder's office, most now advise against it: the form may then be considered a public record and possibly viewed by others. There have been cases of identify theft in which the criminals used information gathered from DD214 forms filed with the county.

Final Paycheck: You are entitled to pay and allowances through your date of discharge. In addition, if you have accrued any leave that you haven't taken, you are entitled to monetary compensation for it, provided that you have not sold more than 60 days already. Processing of your final paycheck will be somewhat different from what you are used to: your pay account will be carefully checked and verified, particularly to ensure that you do not owe money to them for previous overpayments, advances, outstanding travel claims, or mutual assistance program loans. This extra processing means that, on your date of separation, you will receive an estimate of what the service owes you. They can take up to 90 days to complete the processing of your pay account, after which time you should receive a final pay statement that explains any adjustments.

Continued Medical Coverage: By law the services must provide you with information regarding continued medical coverage. This is an optional program and differs greatly from the medical coverage you have been receiving while on active duty. The main difference is the cost: you will need to pay a premium for the coverage. The purpose is to provide a bridge in your health insurance while you make the transition to the civilian sector, where it is hoped that you will find a position that provides medical benefits.

Uniforms: Unless you are given a bad-conduct or dishonorable discharge, you are entitled to keep your military uniforms, though there are limitations on when and how you may wear them. You may not wear them while conducting activities of a business nature or in any other manner that might give the impression that the service supports a commercial activity or product. In addition, you may not wear it to any function sponsored by an organization that advocates or approves of the use of violence to deny another person their constitutional rights, or that seeks to alter the form of government through unconstitutional means. Finally, the uniform must never be worn in a way or under circumstances that may bring discredit upon the service.

Reenlistment Rights: Not everyone leaves the service fully committed to starting a new life outside of the military. Perhaps you just want to see what opportunities are out there. If so, be aware that there is some risk involved. If you have a break in service of more than 24 hours, then you'll need to go through a recruiting office to reenlist. Normally your branch of service will try to bring you back in the same job specialty and paygrade as before, but this is not guaranteed. If your branch offers reenlistment bonuses, check to see if there is a time limit for eligibility.

If you are unsure about anything as you prepare to leave the military, don't hesitate to ask someone. The answers to most questions can be found in a manual somewhere; always request the reference used to answer your question. If possible, read it on your own to confirm that the answer you receievd was both accurate and complete.