In the United States military, ETS generally stands for “expiration – term of service” and is contained in each service member’s contract. On the ETS date, a service member’s current contract has expired, and the service member is free to leave the military or sign a reenlistment contract.

A military ETS date is essential for verifying veterans’ benefits. You can find it on the veteran’s discharge papers, often referred to as the DD-214, along with other important information, such as discharge status, specific military honors, and details about a veteran’s service. 

The ETS is also used as an active-duty anniversary date for determining pay raise timing, duty tours, promotions eligibility, or mandatory discharges. The ETS is not necessarily the same as a discharge date.

DD Form 214, Discharge Papers and Separation Documents

A Report of Separation is generally issued when a service member performs active duty or at least 90 consecutive days of active duty training. The Report of Separation contains information typically needed to verify military service for benefits, retirement, employment, and membership in veterans’ organizations.

• Date and place of entry into active duty
• Home address at the time of entry
• Date and place of release from active duty
• Home address after separation
• Last duty assignment and rank
• Military job specialty
• Military education
• Decorations, medals, badges, citations, and campaign awards received
• Total creditable service
• Foreign service credited
• Separation information (date and type of separation, character of service, authority and reason for separation and separation and reenlistment eligibility codes)

The report of separation form issued in most recent years is the DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty. 

Before January 1, 1950, the military services used several similar forms, including the WD AGO 53, WD AGO 55, WD AGO 53-55, NAVPERS 553, NAVMC 78PD, and the NAVCG 553.

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Author: Tbird