DA 638 Form

A fillable DA 638 form is used by the US Army. It is completed when a higher ranking soldier wishes to recommend another for an award. This form requires information about the soldier who should be considered for the award as well as information about the particular office making the recommendation. The office making the recommendation will also need to describe the reason why the soldier should be considered to receive the award.

What is a Da form 638?

A DA 638 form is used by the Department of the Army. This form will be used to recommend a certain soldier for some type of award. Someone filling out this form will need to know the soldier's information. They will also need to include their personal information and the information for the office that will be receiving the application for an award.
The person filling out the form will need to know what kind of award they are recommending. A full description of the heroic act will need to be included with the DA 638 form. Numerous acts of valor or achievements can be listed for the soldier being recommended.

How to Complete a DA Form 638 (Step by Step)

To complete a form DA-638, you need to provide the following information:

  • Name of the organization that gives the award
  • Name of the person who is recommending the soldier
  • Date
  • Soldier data
    • Soldier’s last name, first name, middle initial
    • Rank
    • Social security number
    • Organization
    • Previous awards
    • Branch of service
    • Recommended award
    • Period of award
    • Reason for award
    • Indication of reason
    • Interim award
    • Posthumous
    • Proposed presentation date
  • Recommender data
    • Name (first, middle initial, last)
    • Address
    • Title/position
    • Rank
    • Relationship to awardee
    • Signature
  • Justification and citation data
    • List of achievements using specific bullet examples of meritorious acts of service
    • Proposed citation
    • Name
    • SSN
  • Recommendations/approval/disapproval
    • Certification that the individual is eligible for an award in accordance with AR 600-8-22 and that the information provided in Part I is correct
    • Signature
    • Date
    • For each intermediate authority who is recommending the soldier:
      • Award organization
      • Name of recommender
      • Date
      • Recommendation: (approval, disapproval, upgrade, downgrade to)
      • Last name, first name, middle initial
      • Rank
      • Title/position
      • Signature
      • Comments
  • Orders data
    • Orders issuing HQ
    • Permanent order no.
    • Name of orders approval authority
    • Rank
    • Title/position
    • Approved award
    • Signature
    • Date
    • Distribution

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Sample DA 638 Form

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Sample DA 638 Form

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