I recently sent away a request to NPRC for my service records.  I got a letter back stating my service record does not contain a copy of my 214, Report of Separation.  They did send me 2 certified copies of a Certification of Military Service which lists my dates and rank at separation.  The letter also said it could be used for all official purposes.

I still have one copy of my 214 but wanted to have extra official copies should something happen.  I also did have a copy saved at a county court house many years ago so I guess I could contact them if I wanted copies?  I'm just curious why I would get a letter back stating my service record does not contain a copy of it?

Send them a copy of the 214 in your possession?

That is kinda weird.

There is a number I can call, guess I should do that as well.

I did find some information that NPRC had a fire at some point and records were destroyed?  I guess if that is true that perhaps that is why they cannot find a copy of the 214 itself.  From what I can tell the certificate itself (na form 13038) is enough for all benefits and such.  It just isn't as detailed with awards, duty stations, dates, etc.

If you need a copy with all of your duty stations and military history, you need to call NPRC at 1-314-801-0800 and ask them to mail, fax, or email you a Standard Form 180. It takes about 3 months after you fax or mail the completed and signed form back to get your records, but it will have your complete service record.

Sounds like that is what he did; doing it online is faster and less hassle. eVetrecs

The fire was in 1973 and according to wiki:
the losses to Federal military records collection included:
80% loss to records of U.S. Army personnel discharged November 1, 1912, to January 1, 1960[2]
75% loss to records of U.S. Air Force personnel discharged September 25, 1947, to January 1, 1964, with names alphabetically after Hubbard, James E.[2]
Some U.S. Army Reserve personnel who performed their initial active duty for training in the late 1950s but who received final discharge as late as 1964.

May apply to you, but not likely.

Thanks for reminding me to find my DD214, so I can get me an awesome tank icon, but seriously I need it for other reasons too. But I can't find it and been searching for quite a bit now.

The CD from BUPERS is utterly useless on a Mac.  "Recommended for Internet Explorer 5.5"