A separation package generally refers to the administrative documents created when you left the service, which can include your DD Form 214, discharge orders, separation physical, and other personnel actions tied to your discharge. This is different from your Service Treatment Records (STRs), which cover your medical history while on active duty, and different from your full Official Military Personnel File (OMPF), which covers your entire career history including performance evaluations, awards, and assignments.
The separation package is typically part of your OMPF, so requesting your full OMPF is usually the most reliable way to get it. The National Personnel Records Center (NPRC), part of the National Archives, is the primary custodian of military personnel records for most veterans, especially those separated more than a few years ago. You can request records through the NPRC using Standard Form 180 (SF-180), Request Pertaining to Military Records, which can be mailed, faxed, or in many cases submitted online through the milConnect portal or the NPRC's eVetRecs system if you have a DD-214 on file already.
Official 2026 VA monthly compensation, including the 2.8% COLA increase.
Dependent add-ons start at a 30% rating. Child-only and dependent-parent rates: see the full 2026 pay chart.
| Rating | Monthly (2026, incl. 2.8% COLA) |
|---|---|
| 10% | $180.42 |
| 20% | $356.66 |
| 30% | $552.47 |
| 40% | $795.84 |
| 50% | $1,132.90 |
| 60% | $1,435.02 |
| 70% | $1,808.45 |
| 80% | $2,102.15 |
| 90% | $2,362.30 |
| 100% | $3,938.58 |
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Analyze my claim free →If you separated more recently, your records may still be held by your branch of service's personnel command rather than having been transferred to NPRC yet, so it can help to also check with your specific branch's records office. Veterans with milConnect (DS Logon or ID.me) access can often download their DD-214 and some personnel documents directly online without waiting on a mailed request, which is usually faster than going through NPRC.
When requesting, be as specific as possible about what you need, since a general request can result in receiving only the DD-214 rather than the broader separation package. Naming specific document types, such as separation orders, physical evaluation board records, or administrative separation paperwork, increases the chance of getting the complete file. If a request is denied or comes back incomplete, you can follow up in writing citing that you are seeking records under the Freedom of Information Act or Privacy Act, since veterans and their next of kin have statutory rights to their own personnel records.
As a next step, submit an SF-180 to the National Personnel Records Center or, if you have online credentials, log into milConnect first to see what separation documents are already available for immediate download.
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