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The DA Form 638 serves as a critical document within the U.S. Army for recommending individuals for awards and decorations. This form is utilized to formally nominate soldiers, capturing essential details such as their name, rank, organization, and the specific reasons for the award. It plays a significant role in documenting achievements and meritorious acts, which are vital for the approval process. The form also includes sections for justifications and citations, allowing recommenders to provide concrete examples of the nominee's service. Privacy considerations are paramount, as the form collects personally identifiable information, which is handled in accordance with the Privacy Act. The DA Form 638 not only facilitates the recognition of service members but also ensures that the process adheres to established military regulations, specifically Army Regulation 600-8-22. By following the outlined procedures, the Army can maintain an organized record of awards, contributing to the morale and motivation of its personnel.

Similar forms

  • DA Form 2404 - This form is used for the inspection and maintenance of Army equipment. Like the DA 638, it documents important information about an individual’s responsibilities and actions, although it focuses on equipment rather than personnel awards.
  • DA Form 4187 - This form is utilized for requests for personnel actions, such as changes in duty assignments. Similar to the DA 638, it requires detailed information about the individual and the nature of the request.
  • DA Form 1059 - This document is a service school academic evaluation report. It shares the common purpose of recognizing individual achievements, akin to the DA 638's function in recommending awards.
  • Articles of Incorporation form: This document is essential for establishing a corporation in New York and outlines key details such as name and purpose, similar to how awards recommendation forms detail individual achievements. For more information, visit documentonline.org/blank-new-york-articles-of-incorporation.
  • DA Form 2-1 - The personnel qualification record, which tracks a soldier's qualifications and assignments, is similar in that it maintains a record of an individual's military career, much like the DA 638 maintains award records.
  • DA Form 4856 - This form is used for counseling sessions. It documents discussions about performance and behavior, paralleling the DA 638's focus on recognizing meritorious acts.
  • DA Form 7500 - The Army's request for a waiver form, which is used to seek exceptions to policies. This form also requires specific justification, similar to the justification needed in the DA 638.
  • DA Form 1610 - This is the travel request and authorization form. It documents travel details for military personnel and, like the DA 638, requires approval and signature from higher authorities.
  • DA Form 31 - The request for leave form, which is essential for documenting a soldier's time away from duty. It serves a similar administrative purpose as the DA 638, focusing on individual service records.
  • DA Form 600-8-22 - This is the Army Regulation that governs military awards and decorations. It provides the framework within which the DA 638 operates, making it foundational to the award process.

Guidelines on Writing Da 638

Completing the DA Form 638 is essential for submitting a recommendation for an award. Follow these steps carefully to ensure all required information is provided accurately.

  1. Begin with Part I - Soldier Data. Fill in the following fields:
    • 1. Name (Last, First, Middle Initial)
    • 2. From (Date in YYYYMMDD format)
    • 3. Date (YYYYMMDD)
    • 4. Rank
    • 5. Organization
    • 6. SSN
    • 7. Branch of Service
    • 8. Previous Awards
    • 9. Recommended Award
    • 10. Period of Award (From and To dates)
    • 11. Indicate Reason for Award
    • 12. Interim Award (Yes/No)
    • 13. Posthumous (Yes/No)
    • 14. Proposed Presentation Date (if applicable)
  2. Move to Part II - Recommender Data. Complete the following:
    • 15. Name of the recommender (Last, First, Middle Initial)
    • 16. Title/Position
    • 17. Rank
    • 18. Address
    • 19. Signature
  3. Proceed to Part III - Justification and Citation Data. Provide detailed achievements:
    • 20. List achievements (up to four bullet points)
    • 21. Proposed Citation
  4. In Part IV - Recommendations/Approval/Disapproval, fill in the necessary approval sections:
    • 22. Intermediate Authority - include signatures, names, and dates
    • 23. Approval Authority - include signatures, names, and dates
  5. Finally, complete Part V - Orders Data:
    • 27. Orders Issuing HQ
    • 28. Name of Orders Approval Authority
    • 29. Approved Award
    • 30. Date (YYYYMMDD)

Once all sections are filled out, review the form for accuracy. Ensure that all signatures are included where required. Submit the completed form to the appropriate authority for processing.

Form Data

Fact Name Fact Description
Purpose of DA Form 638 This form is used to recommend individuals for military awards and decorations, documenting their achievements and the rationale for the award.
Governing Regulations DA Form 638 is governed by Army Regulation 600-8-22, which outlines the policies and procedures for military awards.
Privacy Act Compliance The form includes a Privacy Act Statement, ensuring that personal information is handled according to federal privacy laws.
Disclosure of Information While providing personal information is voluntary, not doing so may delay the processing of the award application.
Required Information Applicants must provide details such as name, rank, organization, and specific achievements to support the award recommendation.
Approval Process The form must be signed by various authorities at different levels, indicating their approval or disapproval of the award recommendation.
Posthumous Awards DA Form 638 allows for the recommendation of posthumous awards, ensuring that the contributions of deceased service members are recognized.