DD Form 2168 at a glance
What it is: DD Form 2168 is the application for discharge of a member or survivor of a member of a group certified to have performed active duty with the armed forces of the United States.
Who signs: The applicant must sign in the space provided. If the application is signed by the spouse, widow, widower, next of kin, or legal representative, give relationship or status in the appropriate box.
The application is for a member or survivor of a member of a group certified to have performed active duty with the armed forces of the United States.
The form assists the Secretaries of the Armed Forces in determining if the applicant was member of a group which has been found to have performed active military service.
If the record in question is that of a person who is deceased or incompetent, legal proof of death or incompetency must accompany this application.
What to bring and attach to DD Form 2168
Attach all documentation available to support information you enter on the form. List all attachments or enclosures. Use plain paper for additional explanation, if needed.
Include any supporting documents which support your claim. Supporting material may include, but is not limited to, separation discharge certificates, mission orders, identification cards, contracts or personnel action forms, employment record, education certificates, diplomas, pay vouchers, certificates or awards, casualty information, and any other supporting evidence of membership and character of service performed.
The burden of proof is on the applicant to show they were part of the group that provided the recognized services.
A filled-in DD Form 2168 example: a member applies for herself
How to fill out DD Form 2168, box by box
Group Member Personal Data
Under Group Member Personal Data, enter the Member's Name (Last, First, Middle and Maiden, if any) in 1.a, Alias(es) in 1.b, SSN in 2 and Date of Birth (YYYYMMDD) in 3.
Enter the Present Street Address (Incl. apartment number), City, County, State and Zip Code.
Service Group Data to Support Claim
Under Service Group Data to Support Claim, enter the Name of Group Served With, Identification No., Highest Grade/Rank/Rating Held and Highest Pay Grade (or actual pay).
For Entry into Service, enter the Date (YYYYMMDD) and the Place (Include City and State of Military Installation).
For Actual Military Service Before/After this Service, enter the Date (YYYYMMDD) and the Place (Include City and State of Military Installation).
For Home of Record at Time of Entry, enter the Street Address (Incl. apartment number), City, County, State and Zip Code, then the Grade/Rank/Rating at Time of Entry.
Enter the Military Installation Where Ordered to Report (Include City and State) and the Specialty Job Title(s).
Enter the Decorations, Medals, Badges, Commendations, Campaign Ribbons Awarded/Authorized.
For Termination of Group Service (Separation, Discharge, Resignation, etc.), enter the Type of Termination, Reason, Station Base/Location, Service Command Affiliation and Date Service Terminated (YYYYMMDD).
Relationship to Applicant
If the application is signed by the spouse, widow, widower, next of kin, or legal representative, give relationship or status in the appropriate box: in Relationship to Applicant, X one of Spouse, Widow, Widower, Next of Kin, Legal Representative or Other (Specify).
Applicant
Under Applicant, enter the Name (Last, First, Middle), sign, and enter the Date Signed (YYYYMMDD), Mailing Street Address (Incl. apartment number), City, State, Zip Code and Telephone (Include area code).
The applicant makes the statements, as part of the claim, with full knowledge of the penalties involved for willfully making a false statement or claim. U.S. Code, Title 18, Sec. 287, 1001, provides a penalty of not more than $10,000 fine or not more than five years imprisonment or both (checked November 7, 2026).
Disclosure of Information
Under Disclosure of Information, the applicant authorizes the release of copies of any official records maintained by the National Personnel Records Center to the appropriate military personnel office for the purpose of processing the application for discharge under Public Law 95-202.
Sign and enter the Date Signed (YYYYMMDD).
More rules for DD Form 2168
Submit in original copy only.
Use computer or print information when completing this form. Complete all items. If the question is not appropriate, write "NONE."
In the event the service decides information provided by the applicant is incomplete, the application will be returned without prejudicing later information.
The appropriate service will not provide counsel representation for applicant, nor will it defray cost of such counsel under any circumstances.
Common questions about DD Form 2168
Where do I file it?
Mail the completed application to the appropriate address: ARMY: U.S. Army Resources Command ATTN: AHRC-PDR-VIB 1600 Spearhead Division Avenue Dept 420 Fort Knox, KY 40122-5402 NAVY: Navy Personnel Command (PERS-312) Millington, TN 38054-5045 MARINE CORPS: Commandant of the Marine Corps (Code: MMSB-12) 2008 Elliot Road, Suite 222 Quantico, VA 22134-0001 AIR FORCE: AFPC/DPSOS 550 C Street West, Suite 3 Randolph AFB, TX 78150-4713 COAST GUARD: United States Coast Guard National Maritime Center (NMC) 100 Forbes Dr. Martinsburg, WV 25401 SPACE FORCE: AFPC/DPSOS 550 C Street West, Suite 3 Randolph AFB, TX 78150-4713
Sources
[1] DD Form 2168 (MAR 2021), Application for Discharge of Member or Survivor of Member of Group Certified to Have Performed Active Duty with the Armed Forces of the United States (the Official source link on this page).