5 DA Forms

Introduction to DA Forms

The Department of the Army (DA) forms are a crucial part of the administrative process within the US Army. These forms are used for various purposes, including personnel management, medical records, and administrative tasks. In this blog post, we will explore five essential DA forms that are commonly used in the Army.

DA Form 31: Request and Authority for Leave

The DA Form 31 is used to request leave, and it serves as a record of the leave taken by a soldier. This form is essential for soldiers to request time off for various reasons, such as vacation, family emergencies, or medical appointments. The form requires the soldier to provide detailed information about their leave, including the dates, type of leave, and the number of days requested.

DA Form 4187: Personnel Action

The DA Form 4187 is used to document personnel actions, such as promotions, demotions, and changes in duty assignments. This form is critical for maintaining accurate personnel records and ensuring that soldiers receive the correct pay and benefits. The form requires the soldier’s commander or personnel officer to provide detailed information about the personnel action, including the reason for the action and the effective date.

DA Form 5500: Body Fat Content Worksheet

The DA Form 5500 is used to measure a soldier’s body fat percentage. This form is essential for the Army’s body composition program, which aims to ensure that soldiers maintain a healthy weight and body fat percentage. The form requires the soldier to provide their height, weight, and body circumference measurements, which are then used to calculate their body fat percentage.

DA Form 5960: Application for Active Duty

The DA Form 5960 is used by soldiers who want to apply for active duty. This form is critical for soldiers who are currently serving in the Army Reserve or National Guard and want to transition to active duty. The form requires the soldier to provide detailed information about their military service, education, and work experience.

DA Form 638: Recommendation for Award

The DA Form 638 is used to recommend a soldier for an award or decoration. This form is essential for recognizing soldiers who have demonstrated exceptional performance, bravery, or achievement. The form requires the soldier’s commander or supervisor to provide detailed information about the soldier’s achievements and the reasons why they deserve the award.

📝 Note: It is essential to follow the instructions carefully when filling out DA forms to ensure accuracy and completeness.

In summary, these five DA forms are crucial for various administrative tasks within the Army. They are used for leave requests, personnel actions, body composition measurements, applications for active duty, and award recommendations. By understanding the purpose and requirements of each form, soldiers and commanders can ensure that administrative tasks are completed efficiently and effectively.