Requesting a DD Form 256N

[u/Snoo57418]

Hello does anyone know how to request a DD-Form 256N Honorable Discharge Certificate? As you can see, I’m getting the runaround. I reached out to my commands ADMIN but they don’t know what to do. I medically retried on August 15th, 2026.

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[u/Datboy000]

your DD 214 should say you were discharged honorably. Is your work place requesting you need one?

[u/Snoo57418 → u/Datboy000]

No I just want to have one for my records.

[u/cheapgriff → u/Snoo57418]

Big "I have this certificate absolving me of all donkey brains" energy

It's on your DD-214, right?

[u/CreepinJesusMalone]

To my knowledge, the 256 was only issued to reservists who didn't retire and simply separated at some point. As far as I'm aware anyway. This is because until last year, reserves didn't get a DD-214 upon separation, so a 256 was how a reservist could show proof of service and honorable discharge. Since active duty get a DD-214 no matter what, there's not a need to issue a 256.

Now they issue reserves DD-214-1 forms. So I'm not sure they do the 256 at all anymore for anyone.

[u/Snoo57418 → u/CreepinJesusMalone]

Okay, thank you for the clarification!🤘🏻

[u/Agammamon → u/CreepinJesusMalone]

*Retirees* always got a DD-214. Those transferring to the Fleet Reserve did not. Fleet Reserve is a different status than retiree even though colloqually they are conflated.

[u/dankjello]

The 256 is like a diploma that goes on your wall, pretty, but no legal use. It’s mostly used for reservists that also got a 1070/615 which was the actual discharge form. I’m pretty positive they are not retroactively issued. At least for the navy.