Welcome to PDF Run!
In this video, we'll guide you on how to fill out a DA Form 638!
The DA Form 638, issued by the Department of Army, is used to recommend a soldier for
a type of reward or recognition within the United States Army.
Another person, as long as within the military, may also fill out this form to recommend a
soldier within the United States Army.
To begin filling out this document, click on the Fill Online button.
This will redirect you to PDF Run's online editor.
Before attempting to fill out this form, make sure that all the information that you are
about to place is completely accurate as this is a legal document and must be treated with
utmost care.
First, you must address the form.
On the left-most box, provide the address of the department you will be sending this
form to.
In the center box, place your name and address.
On the right-most box, add the date of completion of this form in the format shown.
In this part, you will be placing data about the soldier whom you believe should receive
this award.
First, input the soldier's name.
Followed by, the current rank, and Social Security Number (SSN).
In the next line, provide the soldier's organization, and state any of the soldier's previous awards,
if there are any.
Then, place their branch of service, indicate the recommended award and the period of the
award.
Lastly, write down the reason for this award.
Check the appropriate "Yes or No" box indicating if there is an interim award.
If "Yes" was selected, state the award given.
Then, indicate whether the award given is posthumous by checking the corresponding "Yes
or No" box.
Finally, write down the proposed presentation date.
For this section, you will need to place all the data that is required of you, the recommender.
In the first box, place your name in the format shown, followed by your current address in
the next box.
In the following line, please indicate your title or position within the United States
Army, followed by your rank within the army.
Lastly, write down your relationship to the awardee, and then place your signature.
For this section, you will be needing to input any and all justification, answering why the
soldier in question deserves to be given the award that you recommended.
In the boxes labeled "Achievements" you can write down up to four separate entries as
to why you believe the soldier in question should be given the award.
These can be anecdotes of the soldier's bravery, skill, resourcefulness, heroism; among others.
In the box labeled "Proposed Citation", write down the formal reason why you believe this
soldier should be recognized.
This part will cover any additional recommendations given by your peers, commanding officers,
or witnesses to the soldier's deeds.
In the line before this section, you must once again input the full legal name of the
soldier to be awarded,followed by the soldier's SSN.
The first question of this part asks you to verify all the indicated information.
Affix your signature in the designated area and place the date of signing in the format
shown.
Intermediate authorities are able to recommend the soldier's awarding by indicating their
name, rank, title or position, comments, and signature in the designated areas.
They must also indicate their date of signing in the format shown.
Note that up to three intermediate authorities can place their recommendation in Part IV
and up to five more individuals can give their recommendation in the Addendum.
An approval authority can approve, disapprove, recommend an upgrade, or recommend a downgrade
depending on how they believe the soldier should be treated ,by marking the designated
box.
The approving authority will also need to input their name, rank, title or position,
comments, and signature along with the date of signing in the format shown.
This part holds information regarding the orders data.
The first line will ask for the Orders Issuing HQ, and the Permanent Order Number.
The next line requires the name of orders approval authority, and their rank.
Then, the form also requires the title or position, approved award, orders approval
authority's signature, and date of signing in the format shown, and finally the Distribution.
Review and double-check if all entered information is correct and accurate.
Once finished, click on the done button to save, download, & print your DA Form 638.
To learn more about this form or find other fillable templates, visit www.pdfrun.com.