“not automated” — Pure BS. I can get the DD-214 from my 1975 Navy discharge in less than a week if I need to. I’ve done it before.
If you are eligible for VA benefits, I highly recommend getting vetted for a premium account.
Not defending this guy, but one problem is, if a reservist/guardsman goes into the Inactive Ready Reserve (IRR) or the Retired Reserve (RR)(Gray Area retirees), their records will not go to the National Archives until they are actually discharged from the IRR or fully retired.
I’ve asked for my records and they only have my two year stint as an enlisted man, but don’t have any of my officer time which is most of my career (I am in the Retired Reserve). All of my records, schools, awards, orders, etc. are still with the Army Human Resources Command. None of that shows up when I send in an SF 180.
True. Since he is receiving VA disability the VA was provided a copy of his DD-214. I recall the army mailed my DD-214 to the Lincoln NE VARO in mid/ late 75 and my medical records after I filed a claim in Omaha to be rated for two GSW’s, lumbar spine, etc. I was given a copy of my DD-214 by ADMIN at FT. Devens, MA after I went to finance and back to admin they typed it there with all details( dates of enlisted service, commissioned, MOS’s, awards etc). They told me to file a copy with my county registrar.