DA 4187 Fillable PDF - Army Personnel Action Request Form
What is DA 4187?
DA 4187 is the Army’s catch-all personnel action form. Its official title is simply Personnel Action, and that broad title reflects exactly what it does. When a soldier needs to request something administrative — whether that is a training program, a reassignment, a duty status update, or one of many other official actions — the fillable DA 4187 form is what starts that process through the chain of command.
The form is governed by DA PAM 600-8, the Army’s primary pamphlet on personnel actions processing. The proponent agency is the Deputy Chief of Staff, G-1. Unlike forms that are tied to one specific function, the DA form 4187 Army system is designed to handle a wide spectrum of administrative requests within a single standardized document. This makes it one of the most commonly used forms across all Army components.
The form has two pages. The first page contains the personal identification section, the duty status change section, the personnel action request section, the remarks section, and the certification and approval section. The second page is the addendum, which provides additional space for multiple levels of command recommendation when the action requires review beyond what the first page can accommodate.
What makes the DA 4187 different from many other Army forms is that it functions as both a request document and a record. When a soldier submits it to start a process, it is a request. When commanders and personnel officers annotate and route it through the chain, it becomes the official record of what was recommended, approved, or disapproved at each level.
Who Uses DA Form 4187
The form is used by soldiers across all components and ranks. The specific sections completed depend on what type of action is being requested or recorded.
While soldiers initiate most actions by completing Sections I through III, unit administrators and S1 personnel often assist with preparation to ensure the form is correctly formatted before it enters the routing chain. A form with incomplete or incorrect information will come back for correction, delaying the action and the effective date.
Every Action This Form Covers
Section III of the form lists the personnel actions that can be requested. Understanding this list helps soldiers know when DA 4187 is the right form to use and when a different form may be required instead. The actions are organized here by category for clarity.
Training and Schools
Airborne Training
Requesting enrollment in the Airborne course at Fort Moore. Requires commander endorsement and meeting prerequisite physical standards.
Ranger Training
Requesting attendance at the Ranger course. One of the most competitive selections in the Army requiring strong command endorsement and thorough preparation of supporting documents.
Special Forces Training and Assignment
Initiating the process for Special Forces Assessment and Selection or subsequent SF assignment actions.
Officer Candidate School
Requesting enrollment in OCS for enlisted soldiers pursuing a commission. Requires extensive supporting documentation beyond the DA 4187 itself.
Service School (Enlisted Only)
Requesting attendance at a formal service school for professional development or MOS qualification purposes.
On-the-Job Training (Enlisted Only)
Requesting authorization for structured on-the-job training in a specific skill or functional area.
Retesting in Army Personnel Tests
Requesting authorization to retest on Army personnel assessments such as the ASVAB or other qualification tests.
ROTC or Reserve Component Duty
Requesting assignment to ROTC cadre duty or other reserve component positions as an active duty soldier.
Reassignment and Transfer
Reassignment
The standard action for requesting a permanent change of station or transfer to a different unit or installation.
Reassignment — Married Army Couples
Requesting joint spouse assignment consideration for married service members who are both on active duty and seeking co-location.
Reassignment — Extreme Family Problems
Requesting compassionate reassignment based on documented family hardship that cannot be resolved without a change of station.
Assignment of Personnel with Exceptional Family Members
Requesting assignment consideration for soldiers with dependents enrolled in the Exceptional Family Member Program to ensure the gaining installation can support their medical or educational needs.
Exchange Reassignment (Enlisted Only)
Requesting a voluntary exchange of assignments with another soldier of the same grade and MOS at a different installation.
Volunteering for Overseas Service
Formally documenting a soldier’s voluntary request to be considered for an overseas assignment or unaccompanied tour.
Career and Classification
Reclassification
Requesting a change to a different Military Occupational Specialty. May be voluntary or directed by the Army based on needs of the force or physical limitations.
Change of Name, SSN, or Date of Birth
Requesting a correction to official personnel records when a legal name change, SSN correction, or date of birth discrepancy needs to be resolved in the system of record.
Administrative Actions
Identification Card
Requesting issuance of a new Common Access Card or dependent identification card through the proper administrative channel.
Identification Tags
Requesting replacement dog tags when originals are lost, damaged, or reflect outdated information.
Separate Rations
Requesting authorization to subsist separately from the dining facility when a soldier is entitled to the Basic Allowance for Subsistence rather than being required to eat in government mess.
Leave — Excess, Advance, or Outside CONUS
Requesting specific leave types that require higher-level approval beyond what a standard DA 31 can authorize on its own.
Understanding the Routing Blocks: From, Thru, and To
Blocks 1 through 3 at the top of the DA form 4187 Army document are the routing blocks. They tell the form where it came from, where it is going, and what intermediate stops it needs to make along the way. This is the section that confuses most soldiers and unit clerks when completing the form for the first time.
Block 3
FROM
The originating unit. This is where the soldier works and where the request starts. Include the full unit designation and mailing address with ZIP code.
Block 1
THRU
Intermediate headquarters the form must pass through on its way up. Not every action requires a Thru stop. When it does, the intermediate command reviews and annotates before forwarding.
Block 2
TO
The office or command that has the authority to approve the action. For a reassignment this might be HRC. For a training request it could be the battalion commander or brigade S1.
Common mistake: Soldiers often confuse the block numbers with the routing direction. Block 1 is Thru, Block 2 is To, and Block 3 is From. The form reads left to right on the page but the routing flows From → Thru → To. Always complete From first, then identify who the approving authority is for the To block, then determine whether any intermediate Thru stops are required.
The Thru block is optional for many actions but required for others. A soldier in a company requesting a reassignment through battalion to brigade would list the company as From, battalion as Thru, and brigade as To. If the action goes directly from company to brigade with no battalion stop required, the Thru block is left blank. Consult your unit S1 if you are unsure of the correct routing chain for a specific action type.
Getting the routing wrong does not necessarily invalidate the form but it slows processing considerably. A form routed to the wrong office will be returned or forwarded, adding days or weeks to the timeline. For time-sensitive actions like emergency leave authorization or duty status changes, correct routing from the start is essential.
How the Approval Chain Works and What the Addendum Does
Section V of the DA form 4187 pdf is the certification, approval, and disapproval section. This is where each level of the chain of command documents their recommendation or decision. Understanding how this section functions helps soldiers track where their request is in the process and what each outcome means.
How to Complete DA 4187 Form
Identify the correct action type before starting
Before filling in anything, confirm that DA 4187 is the right form for your action. Some personnel actions have their own dedicated forms. Check with your unit S1 if you are unsure. Using the wrong form wastes time for everyone in the chain.
Complete the routing blocks — Blocks 1, 2, and 3
Enter your unit as From in Block 3 with the full unit designation and ZIP code. Identify the approving authority for To in Block 2. Determine whether any intermediate headquarters needs to be listed in Thru in Block 1. If no Thru stop is required, leave Block 1 blank. Always confirm routing with your S1 before submitting.
Fill in Section I — Personal Identification
Enter your name in Last, First, Middle Initial format in Block 4. Enter your grade or rank and primary MOS or AOC in Block 5. Enter your Social Security Number in Block 6. The SSN is voluntary but omitting it may cause processing delays.
Complete Section II only if recording a duty status change
If this form is being used to record a duty status change, complete Block 7 by entering the change from one status to another with the effective date and time. This section is completed by the commander or authorized representative, not the soldier. If requesting a personnel action rather than recording a duty status change, leave Section II blank.
Complete Section III — Check the action being requested
In Block 8, check the appropriate box for the action being requested. Only check the boxes that apply. If the action is not specifically listed, check Other and describe it clearly in the Remarks section. If you are requesting multiple actions that are related, they can appear on the same form provided they are all clearly identified.
Complete Section IV — Remarks
Use the Remarks section to provide any additional information relevant to the request. For training requests this typically includes the soldier’s qualifications, physical fitness scores, and relevant experience. For reassignment requests it may include family situations, language skills, or other assignment considerations. Be specific and factual. If more space is needed, continue on a separate sheet and attach it.
Sign Block 9 if required for your action type
Not all actions require the soldier’s signature in Block 9. Some actions only require the commander’s signature. Check DA PAM 600-8 or ask your S1 whether the soldier signature is required for the specific action being requested. Sign Block 9 and enter the date in Block 10 when required.
Route to the commander for Section V
Submit the completed form to your immediate commander. They sign Block 11 to certify the information, then complete Block 12 by checking the appropriate action box, signing, and entering their title and date. The form then routes up the chain as established in the routing blocks.
Use the addendum for multi-level review
If the action requires review by more levels of command than the first page can accommodate, attach the addendum page. Each additional reviewing level completes their own block on the addendum with their recommendation, signature, rank, title, and comments. Keep all pages together as a single packet throughout the routing process.
Track the form and follow up
Keep a copy of the form after submission. DA 4187 packets can sit at intermediate levels for extended periods without follow-up. Know who currently has your form and what the expected processing timeline is for your action type. Your unit S1 should be able to provide tracking information.
What Happens After You Submit DA 4187 Army Form
Understanding what happens after a DA 4187 leaves the originating unit helps soldiers manage expectations and know when and how to follow up. The timeline varies significantly depending on the action type, the routing chain, and the current operational tempo of the units involved.
Once the form enters the routing chain, it may spend time at each intermediate Thru stop before reaching the approving authority. At each stop, the reviewing commander or staff officer reads the request, checks the available information, and makes a recommendation. High-priority actions such as duty status changes and compassionate reassignments move faster than routine training requests. Competitive selections like Ranger School or Special Forces typically involve a more complex process beyond the DA 4187 itself.
If the action is approved, the approving authority or their personnel office executes it and generates the appropriate orders or administrative actions. The soldier and the originating unit are typically notified of the outcome. If disapproved, the form usually returns to the originating unit with comments explaining the reason, which gives the soldier and chain of command the information needed to resubmit with additional justification or to pursue an alternative course of action.
For routine administrative actions like identification card requests or separate rations authorization, processing is typically handled at the unit or installation level and moves quickly. For personnel actions that route to Human Resources Command, the timeline can range from several weeks to several months depending on the type of action and HRC workload at the time of submission.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is DA 4187 used for?
It is used to request or record a wide range of personnel actions including duty status changes, reassignments, training requests, reclassification, leave types, and other administrative actions that require chain of command review.
Is the DA form 4187 pdf available free?
Yes. It is a public domain government document published by army pubs and available at no cost with no account needed.
Who fills out the form?
Typically the soldier or unit administrator fills out Sections I through III. The chain of command completes the certification and approval sections. Duty status changes in Section II are completed by the commander or authorized representative.
What is the difference between Thru, To, and From?
From is where the request originates. To is the office with approval authority. Thru is any intermediate headquarters the form must pass through between From and To. Not every action requires a Thru stop.
Does every personnel action require a DA 4187?
Not every action, but the form covers a very broad range. Actions with dedicated forms use those forms instead. DA 4187 covers everything else that requires formal documentation and chain of command approval.
Can a DA 4187 be disapproved?
Yes. Each level of command can recommend or outright disapprove the action. The form has separate checkboxes for recommend approval, recommend disapproval, approved, and disapproved at each reviewing level.