Dan Meyer Article February 6, 2009

CVSO Article Due 6 February 2009

By: Dan Meyer
The office hours for the Lac qui Parle County Veterans Service Office are 8:30 am - 4:30 pm Monday through Friday. My office phone number is (320) 598-3445.

How does a military veteran obtaining various military records. Our discussion will focus on the veteran's Military Discharge Certificate Form (DD 214). There are resources on the internet that charge to get a copy of a DD 214. These sources have you sign a form to become a legal representative for you. The resources mentioned in this article are FREE of charge.

Almost everything dealing with veterans' benefits require that applicants provide proof of military service. This proof is provided by the discharge certificate or DD 214, which is evidence of their veteran status. This is an extremely important document and must be safeguarded. If you have a copy of your DD 214 keep it in a safe place. Some options are to see your County Veterans Service Officer (CVSO) and have them start an official file for you, and have it recorded in your county courthouse. At the very least, be sure to keep it in a safe place and inform a family member or trusted individual on its location.

If you do not have a copy of your DD 214, you can contact your CVSO for assistance in obtaining one.

The Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs maintains discharges for the following veterans: Minnesota WWII veterans who applied for the state bonus, Minnesota Korean veterans who applied for the state bonus, Minnesota Vietnam veterans who applied for the state bonus, and veterans who were discharged from active duty after 1980 and requested that a copy of the DD 214 be sent to the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs. If you fall into one of these categories, and would like to request a copy of your DD 214, call the receptionist at 651-296-2562.

You may also request your DD 214 from the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC). There are two methods to request records from the NPRC, filling out a paper Form (SF 180) or electronically via the website at VetsRecs. Your CVSO can assist you with both of these methods. Please ensure that both you and your CVSO have copies of your military discharge certificate or discharge summary.

In the "Did You Know?" segment. The nation's nearly 3 million service-connected disabled veterans and survivors received a 5.8 percent increase in monthly benefits that began in January 2009. If this is you and your monthly benefits did not increase by 5.8 percent, contact you local county veterans service officer for assistance.

Until next week, take care and "Fair winds and following seas!"