National Board Of Examination (NBE) Arts Practice Exam

The DD-214, or Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, is the primary form used by the military to document a service member's release from active duty. This document contains vital information about the service member's military service, including dates of service, discharge status, and the reason for discharge, which are essential for accessing various benefits, including those related to veterans' affairs.

When veterans seek military service records or benefits, the DD-214 serves as the foundational document that verifies their military service. It is often required for claims related to education benefits, employment opportunities, and other services offered to veterans by federal and state agencies.

The other forms listed, while relevant in other contexts, do not specifically serve the purpose of providing military service information. For instance, the SSA-721 is used in Social Security matters, while the VA 21-530 and VA 40-1330 pertain to benefits and services related to the Department of Veterans Affairs, like burial benefits but do not document military service itself. Thus, the DD-214 is specifically designed to provide a comprehensive account of a veteran's military service.