BY ORDER OF THE
SECRETARY OF THE AIR FORCE
AIR FORCE INSTRUCTION 36-3202
24 JUNE 2020
Personnel
CERTIFICATE OF RELEASE OR
DISCHARGE FROM ACTIVE DUTY
(DD FORM 214/5 SERIES)
COMPLIANCE WITH THIS PUBLICATION IS MANDATORY
ACCESSIBILITY: Publications and forms are available for downloading or ordering on the
e-Publishing website at www.e-Publishing.af.mil
RELEASABILITY: There are no releasability restrictions on this publication.
OPR: AF/A1PPS
Supersedes: AFI36-3202, 4 December 2018
Certified by: SAF/MR
Pages: 21
This publication implements Air Force Policy Directive (AFPD) 36-32, Military Retirements and
Separations and Department of Defense Instruction (DoDI) 1336.01, Certificate of Release or
Discharge from Active Duty (DD Form 214/5 Series). In collaboration with the Chief of Air
Force Reserve (AF/RE) and the Director of the Air National Guard (NGB/CF), the Deputy Chief
of Staff for Manpower, Personnel, and Services (AF/A1) develops personnel policy for the Air
Force Separation Documents. This instruction applies to the Regular Air Force (RegAF), Air
National Guard (ANG), and Air Force Reserve (AFR). It provides guidance and direction on
how to control, prepare, distribute and correct Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active
Duty Department of Defense Form 214/5 (DD Form 214/5) series documents and control lists of
separation program designator (SPD) codes. Separation occurs when members of the Air Force
(AF) leave active duty, move from one active duty status to another, or are discharged, retired,
transferred, dismissed, or released. This instruction contains statutory authorities and outlines
responsibilities of the Secretary of the Air Force, RegAF, ANG, AFR, and other agencies
involved with DD Form 214/5 series documents. This instruction requires the collection and/or
maintenance of information protected by the Privacy Act of 1974. The authority to collect and/or
maintain the records prescribed in the publication is Title 10 United States Code (USC) Section
8013, Secretary of the Air Force. The applicable Privacy Act System of Record Notices F036
AFPC P, Separation Case Files (Officer and Airman), F033 ARPC B, Locator or Personnel
Data, and F036 AFPC C, Military Personnel Records System are available at
https://dpcld.defense.gov/Privacy/SORNs/. Ensure all records created as a result of processes
prescribed in this publication are maintained in accordance with Air Force Manual (AFMAN)
33-322, Records Management and Information Governance Program and disposed of in
