The persistence to overcome transition issues with the support of others

D. Matt Scherer
4 min readMay 13, 2023

This is a story about Nathan, a sailor, and the journey he took to get his DD Form 214.

And, it’s also a story about how Nathan’s Mastermind group, the Military Transition Roundtable, helped him get this form after his discharge from the Navy.

First, for those who don’t have U.S. military family or friends, let me explain why the DD Form 214 is significant.

The DD Form 214 is an important document for veterans because it provides a complete summary of their military service. It includes information such as the veteran’s name, rank, branch of service, dates of service, awards, and decorations, and type of discharge. The DD Form 214 is used to verify a veteran’s military service for a variety of purposes, including:

  • Applying for veterans benefits, such as VA disability compensation, home loans, and education benefits.
  • Getting a job, as many employers prefer to hire veterans.
  • Joining veterans organizations.
  • Obtaining a passport.
  • Renewing a driver’s license.
  • Determining eligibility for burial in a national cemetery.

Nathan needed the form to apply for his VA disability with an accredited veterans…

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D. Matt Scherer

Like a lighthouse on a foggy day, I help people either avoid the rocks or stand out in the fog of mass media or other forms of communication outreach.