<P> Service members are given the option of accepting the "short form" edited Member 1, "long form" unedited Member 4 or both copies upon separation . </P> <P> The most important copy of the DD 214 for the individual is the long form copy . It is the standard form needed to obtain benefits such as GI Bill or government employment priority . </P> <P> There are eight original DD214 copies . All but Member 1, the "short form" copy, contain information as to the nature and type of discharge, and the re-enlistment code . This code is used to determine whether or not the service member can go back into the service . For unemployment benefits, veterans affairs benefits, as well as for several other services, the "Member's Copy 4" is usually requested but any other "long form" copy is acceptable . All eight copies are identical except Member 1, the "short form," which lacks this critical information . The military will not provide a replacement "Member's Copy 4" (it is the service member's personal copy and physically given to him at separation) and any request for a replacement is always honored by providing a "Service 2," "Service 7" or "Service 8" copy . All but Member 1 are acceptable legal substitutes for Member 4 . </P> <P> Other versions of the DD Form 214 include the "Member 1" (deleted version), "Service 7 & 8" (additional copies of the "Service 2"), "Veterans Affairs 3" (sent directly to the Department of Veterans Affairs), "Member 6" (provided to the respective veteran's State Department of Veteran Affairs), and "Department of Labor 5" (provided directly to the United States Department of Labor). </P>

How many copies of the dd214 are there