Military Records Assistance
Helping veterans and families correct official military records, understand discharge-related review options, and secure honors authorized after service.
A veteran’s official record should accurately reflect the service they performed.
WRRF assists veterans and their families with identifying and correcting errors or omissions in official United States military records. These errors may involve awards, decorations, periods of service, assignments, or other entries that were omitted or recorded incorrectly.
In many cases, an approved correction results in a DD Form 215, which formally amends a previously issued DD Form 214. In other cases, the military department may issue a corrected or reissued separation document.
WRRF helps prepare the request. The appropriate military review board alone decides whether a correction is warranted.
DD Form 214, military records, medals, and service documents
From missing information to a formal board review.
WRRF assists veterans—and, for deceased veterans, eligible next-of-kin—with preparing and submitting DD Form 149, Application for Correction of Military Record under Title 10, United States Code, Section 1552.
Review the Record
We compare available service records, separation documents, orders, citations, and supporting evidence to identify the specific omission or error.
Build the Evidence
We help organize documents that support the requested correction and explain why the current record is incomplete or inaccurate.
Prepare DD Form 149
The requested correction and supporting facts are presented clearly for review by the appropriate service-specific board.
Board Determination
The Board for Correction of Military Records decides whether to approve the correction and issue a DD Form 215 or reissued DD Form 214.
A VA eligibility decision and a military discharge upgrade are not the same thing.
Veterans and families who believe a Character of Discharge may be preventing eligibility for burial or other VA benefits are encouraged to submit a claim with the Department of Veterans Affairs.
VA COD Determination
When a veteran applies for VA benefits and the discharge characterization is Other Than Honorable or below, VA may conduct a Character of Discharge determination to decide whether the veteran qualifies for benefits for VA purposes.
Military Discharge Review
Only the Department of Defense, acting through the appropriate Discharge Review Board or Board for Correction of Military Records, may change the official discharge characterization shown on the DD Form 214.
A favorable VA Character of Discharge determination may establish eligibility for certain VA benefits, but it does not amend the veteran’s official military discharge characterization.
Veteran or family reviewing discharge documents with an advocate
Requests must go to the proper military review authority.
Requests to upgrade or change a military discharge must be submitted directly to the appropriate service review board. The correct board depends on the branch of service, the age of the discharge, the type of correction requested, and the facts of the case.
After a veteran’s death, discharge upgrade requests are generally not accepted unless a review was initiated while the veteran was alive, subject to limited statutory exceptions. Families should seek guidance early and should not assume that a VA determination changes the official military record.
Some honors were created after the veteran had already left the service.
WRRF assists veterans and families in obtaining awards and recognitions authorized after a veteran’s period of service. Many eligible veterans never received these items because the recognition did not yet exist, was created decades later, or was not automatically issued.
Cold War Recognition Certificate
A certificate recognizing qualifying service during the Cold War era and honoring the men and women who contributed to national defense during that period.
Atomic Veterans Commemorative Service Medal
A commemorative medal recognizing eligible veterans whose military service involved participation in the United States atomic testing or cleanup mission.
Retroactive Medals and Ribbons
Campaign medals, service ribbons, unit awards, and other recognitions later authorized by Congress or the Department of Defense.
These awards are more than objects. They help families understand the veteran’s place in our nation’s history and preserve service that might otherwise be forgotten.
Bring what you have. We will help identify what is missing.
Separation Documents
DD Form 214, earlier separation documents, prior DD Form 215s, or other official discharge records.
Supporting Military Records
Orders, award citations, unit records, evaluations, travel records, pay records, or other documents supporting the correction.
Identity and Relationship
Identification for the veteran or documentation showing eligible next-of-kin status when requesting assistance for a deceased veteran.
Prior Decisions
Copies of previous board decisions, VA determinations, correspondence, denials, or requests for additional evidence.
Their service deserves to be recorded accurately.
Whether the issue is a missing award, an incorrect entry, a discharge-related question, or recognition created after service, WRRF helps veterans and families understand the path forward and prepare a complete request.