The first DD Form 214s were issued in 1950, replacing the older 'WD AGO' (War Department Adjutant General's Office) Forms and the NAVPERS (Naval Personnel) discharge documents: NAVPERS-553 NOTICE OF SEPARATION FROM THE U.S. The DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, generally referred to as a ' DD 214', is a document of the United States Department of Defense, issued upon a military service member's retirement, separation, or discharge from active duty in the Armed Forces of the United States (i.e., U.S. Document for discharged US military personnel