Q: Context: 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.

Question: how many copies of the dd214 are there? Let's give stream of consciousness first:
user
Sure, I can help clarify that for you.

In the context you provided, there are actually nine copies of the DD214. The first copy is a "Short Form," known as Member 1, and it does not contain some critical information. The remaining eight copies are known as "Long Form" copies, and are numbered as follows: Service 2, Service 3, Service 4 (sometimes referred to as Member's Copy 4), Service 5, Service 6, Service 7, Service 8, and an additional copy called Service 21.

Regarding your question about a replacement for Member's Copy 4, it's important to note that Member's Copy 4 is the service member's personal copy, and it is not always possible to replace without the original. However, as you mentioned, the military will often provide other Long Form copies in its place, such as Service 2, Service 7, or Service 8. These copies are considered accepted legal substitutes for Member's Copy 4.

I hope this helps clarify things for you. Let me know if you have any other questions!
assistant
Q: Context: 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.

Question: how many copies of the dd214 are there? Let's give stream of consciousness first:
user
There are eight original copies of the DD214. These include Member 1, which is the "short form" and doesn't contain certain critical information, and seven "long form" copies. The "long form" copies are identical to each other and include Member's Copy 4, Service 2, Service 7, and Service 8, among others. While Member's Copy 4 is usually requested for various services, any of the "long form" copies can be used as a legal substitute. The military won't replace Member's Copy 4 if lost, but they will provide one of the other "long form" copies instead. So, in total, there are eight copies, but only one is the "short form" and seven are the "long form".
assistant