Free Da 3355 PDF Template

FAQ Section: Understanding the DA Form 3355

1. What is the purpose of the DA Form 3355?

   The DA Form 3355, also known as the Promotion Point Worksheet for the United States Army Reserve, is primarily used to evaluate and determine a soldier’s eligibility for promotion. It documents a variety of factors including military training, awards and decorations, military and civilian education, to accurately calculate the total promotion points. This comprehensive assessment helps streamline promotion decisions within the U.S. Army Reserve, ensuring promotions are merited on the basis of objective criteria.

2. How are promotion points calculated on the DA Form 3355?

   Promotion points on the DA Form 3355 are calculated across four main categories: Military Training, Awards/Decorations, Military Education, and Civilian Education. Each category has a maximum number of points that can be earned, contributing to a soldier’s total promotion points. For instance, Military Training points are awarded based on physical fitness tests, weapons qualification scores, and total military training points earned. Similarly, points for Awards and Decorations, Military Education, and Civilian Education are added based on the specific criteria met in each area. The aim is to provide an objective way to assess a soldier's overall performance and readiness for promotion.

3. Is the DA Form 3355 mandatory for all promotion considerations?

   Yes, the completion and submission of the DA Form 3355 is mandatory for soldiers in the United States Army Reserve seeking promotion. This form plays a crucial role in the promotion process, as it provides a detailed and standardized means of evaluating a soldier's qualifications and achievements against the promotion criteria. Failure to submit this form, or the submission of an incomplete form, may result in the denial of promotion as the necessary information to make an informed decision would be missing.

4. Can a soldier dispute the points calculated on their DA Form 3355?

   A soldier can request reevaluation or clarification if they believe there has been an error in the calculation of their promotion points on the DA Form 3355. It is advisable for soldiers to first review their worksheet thoroughly to understand how their points were compiled. If discrepancies are found, soldiers should gather the necessary documentation or evidence to support their claim and approach their unit's administrative personnel or chain of command to initiate the review process. The goal of this process is to ensure fairness and accuracy in the promotion point system.

When filling out the DA 3355 form, which is pivotal for assessing promotion eligibility within the United States Army Reserve, individuals often overlook key details that can impact their promotion points. It's crucial to understand these common errors to ensure that your promotion eligibility is evaluated accurately.

1. Not double-checking personal information: It's essential to verify that all personal information, including your name and date of birth, is correct. Any discrepancies can lead to delays or errors in processing the form.
2. Incorrectly reporting military training points: Accurately capturing the points earned for military training, including the Army Physical Fitness Test (APFT) scores and weapons qualification, is vital. Mistakes in this section can significantly affect your total points.
3. Overlooking educational achievements: Ensure that all military and civilian education is documented correctly. Failing to list all relevant education or providing inaccurate information can result in a lower point total than deserved.
4. Omitting awards and decorations: Every award, decoration, badge, or coin that you're eligible for can contribute to your total points. Not including these details can lead to a potential loss of points.
5. Forgetting to add signatures where required: The DA 3355 form requires several signatures, including those of the commander, the recommended soldier, and administrative officials. Missing any of these signatures can invalidate the form.
6. Failing to select the promotion board recommendation: This crucial step determines your immediate promotion eligibility. Not marking yes or no in the promotion board recommendation section can stall your promotion process.

To ensure the DA 3355 form is completed accurately:

• Take your time and carefully review each section.
• Consult with a supervisor or a colleague if you're unsure about any part of the form.
• Utilize the instructions provided in AR 600-8-19 as a guide.
• Remember, accurate and thorough completion of the DA 3355 can expedite your promotion process.

By avoiding these common mistakes and following the recommendations, you can improve the accuracy of your promotion point worksheet and support your career progression within the US Army Reserve.

The Da 3355 form is a critical document for members of the United States Army Reserve seeking promotion. It serves as a comprehensive record of a Soldier’s accumulated points in various categories that are essential for promotion eligibility. To support the information provided in the Da 3355 form, completing and submitting additional forms and documents are often necessary. These documents ensure a thorough evaluation of the Soldier's qualifications and achievements. The following list includes some of these essential forms and documents.

• DA Form 705: Army Physical Fitness Test Scorecard. This form records the scores of a soldier's physical fitness test, which includes push-ups, sit-ups, and a timed run. These scores are crucial for the Da 3355 section evaluating military training points.
• DA Form 3595-R or DA Form 5790-R: Record Fire Scorecard. These forms document the details of a soldier's performance in weapons qualification, which is necessary for the military training points section of the Da 3355.
• DA Form 638: Recommendation for Award. This form is used to recommend a soldier for awards and decorations. The points from these awards contribute to the administrative points section on the Da 3355 form.
• AARTS/SMART Transcript: Army/American Council on Education Registry Transcript System or Sailor/Marine American Council on Education Registry Transcript. These transcripts provide official records of military training and experiences converted to academic credit, contributing to both military and civilian education points on the Da 3355 form.
• DA Form 1059: Service School Academic Evaluation Report. This form evaluates a soldier’s performance in structured military education courses, affecting the military education points section of the Da 3355.

These forms and documents play a pivotal role in determining a soldier's eligibility for promotion within the Army Reserve. Each document contributes valuable information that directly impacts the assessment of a soldier's promotability, ensuring a fair and comprehensive evaluation process. It is crucial for soldiers to maintain accurate and up-to-date records of their achievements and qualifications to support their promotion ambitions.

• The DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, is similar to the DA Form 3355 as it provides a comprehensive summary of a service member's career, crucial for determining benefits and eligibility for certain programs post-service. Just as the DA 3355 is used to update and determine promotion points, the DD Form 214 serves to confirm the service details necessary for various transitions and benefits, making both documents vital for career progression and post-service advantages.

• The NCO Evaluation Report (DA Form 2166-9 Series) shares similarities with the DA Form 3355 by evaluating a soldier's performance and potential for future roles, impacting career progression markedly. Both forms are instrumental in career development within the Army, focusing on assessing qualifications either for promotion (DA 3355) or for overall performance and potential (DA Form 2166-9 Series).

• The DA Form 638, Recommendation for Award, is akin to the DA Form 3355 in that it documents achievements that significantly influence a soldier's career trajectory. Where the DA Form 638 is specifically used for recognizing acts of valor, heroism, or meritorious service with awards, the DA Form 3355 accumulates such awarded points to calculate eligibility for promotion, binding soldiers' commendations directly to their advancement opportunities.

• The DA Form 1059, Service School Academic Evaluation Report, similarly influences a soldier's career progression by documenting the performance in various training environments, comparable to the military education section of the DA Form 3355. Both forms record the accomplishment in educational or training settings, which is essential for determining a soldier's suitability for advancement and specialization.

• The Enlisted Record Brief (ERB) or Officer Record Brief (ORB) also mirrors the DA Form 3355 in function by providing a summary of a soldier's military career, including education, training, and assignment history. Like the DA 3355, these briefs are crucial for career planning and promotion considerations, offering a snapshot of the soldier's qualifications and achievements.

• The DA Form 4187, Personnel Action, is related to the DA Form 3355 as it involves specific administrative actions affecting a soldier's career such as reassignments, special program applications, or reclassifications. Both the DA Form 4187 and the DA Form 3355 are integral to managing and formalizing changes in a soldier's career path, directly influencing their progression and opportunities within the military.

When filling out the DA 3355 form, paying careful attention to detail and accurately reporting your achievements and qualifications is crucial for the promotion process. Below are lists of things you should and shouldn't do to ensure the form is filled out correctly:

1. Verify all entered information: Double-check the information you provide, such as dates and scores, to ensure accuracy.
2. Include all relevant awards and decorations: Carefully list all awards, decorations, badges, and certificates of achievement, along with their order and award numbers.
3. Report all military and civilian education: Include all completed military education and civilian education, certifications, or language proficiency tests, with dates.
4. Consult with your commanding officer or a senior non-commissioned officer (NCO) if unsure about certain sections or points: They can offer guidance and ensure you're accurately representing your qualifications and achievements.

• Omit relevant training or qualifications: Failing to include any training, awards, or education could result in fewer promotion points.
• Guess on dates or scores: If you're unsure of specific dates or scores, seek out the correct information before submitting the form.
• Leave sections blank: Ensure every relevant section is filled out to the best of your knowledge. An incomplete form may delay the promotion process.
• Forget to sign and date the form: Your signature and the date are required to authenticate the information provided. Make sure these elements are not overlooked.

The DA Form 3355, or the Promotion Point Worksheet for the United States Army Reserve, is a critical document in the career progression of reserve soldiers, pivotal in determining their eligibility for promotion. However, there are several misconceptions surrounding this document which need clarification. By understanding these, members of the military and their advocates can better navigate their careers within the Army Reserve.

• Misconception 1: The DA Form 3355 is used exclusively for enlisted active duty soldiers.
  Contrary to this belief, the DA Form 3355 is specifically designed for the United States Army Reserve soldiers, facilitating the calculation and tracking of promotion points to determine their eligibility for advancement.

• Misconception 2: Promotion points are automatically updated without the need for soldier’s input.
  While some data might be updated automatically, soldiers are responsible for ensuring all their achievements, including those in training, awards, and civilian education, are accurately reported and reflected in their DA Form 3355 to receive appropriate promotion points.

• Misconception 3: All sections of the DA Form 3355 need to be filled out by the soldier.
  Though the soldier's involvement in accurately reporting achievements is crucial, sections of the form, particularly those related to recommendations and authentication, require input and verification from commanding officers or administrative officials.

• Misconception 4: The maximum points possible are the same for promotion to all ranks.
  The form clearly distinguishes maximum points available for promotion to Sergeant (SGT) and Staff Sergeant (SSG), reflecting different criteria and thresholds for advancement to these ranks.

• Misconception 5: Civilian education is irrelevant to the Army Reserve’s promotion system.
  On the contrary, civilian education can significantly contribute to a soldier’s promotion points total, with a designated section on the DA Form 3355 to report such educational achievements.

• Misconception 6: The DA Form 3355 is the final step in the promotion process.
  Completing and submitting the DA Form 3355 is a critical step, but it is part of a broader process that includes board recommendations and approval from military authorities.

• Misconception 7: The Physical Fitness Test score is the most heavily weighted factor.
  Although the Army Physical Fitness Test score is an important component, the DA Form 3355 encompasses a broader range of categories including military training, awards, and education that all contribute to the overall promotion points tally.

• Misconception 8: Soldiers do not need to update their DA Form 3355 unless seeking promotion.
  Regular updates to the DA Form 3355 ensure a soldier’s achievements are accurately reflected in real-time, which could be beneficial for opportunities beyond immediate promotion.

• Misconception 9: The information provided on the DA Form 3355 is used solely for promotion purposes.
  While its primary purpose is to determine promotion eligibility, the information on the DA Form 3355 may also be utilized for administrative purposes and to inform training and development needs.

• Misconception 10: Failure to fill out the DA Form 3355 correctly has no repercussions.
  Inaccuracies or omissions can lead to a denial of promotion and may affect a soldier’s career progression negatively. It is essential that soldiers ensure all information is complete and correct.

In addressing these misconceptions, it is evident that the DA Form 3355 plays a vital role in a United States Army Reserve soldier’s career trajectory. It underscores the importance of accurate, comprehensive documentation of one’s achievements and the active role soldiers must take in their career advancement. Understanding the nuances of this form can significantly impact one's potential for promotion and career development within the military reserve force.

Understanding how to correctly fill out and use the DA Form 3355 is crucial for members of the United States Army Reserve seeking promotion. The form plays a significant role in computing and updating promotion points for eligibility determinations. Here are key takeaways for effectively managing this process:

• The DA Form 3355 is specifically designed for the United States Army Reserve to compute and update a soldier's promotion points, thus determining their eligibility for promotion.
• Title 5 USC, Section 301, gives the form its legal authority, emphasizing its importance and necessity within the military administrative framework.
• Completing the DA Form 3355 is voluntary; however, failure to provide the required information can lead to denial of promotion, highlighting the consequential nature of the form.
• The form divides into several sections, with each one focusing on different aspects of a soldier's accomplishments and qualifications including military training, administrative points, and civilian education.
• Military training points are calculated based on a soldier's performance in areas such as the Army Physical Fitness Test (APFT) and weapons qualification, underlining the importance of these competencies.
• Administrative points can be awarded for achievements such as awards, decorations, badges, and certificates of achievement, encouraging soldiers to strive for excellence in various realms.
• The form allows for the listing of civilian education and military education separately, acknowledging the value of both types of educational attainment in the promotion consideration process.
• Accuracy in documenting and updating the DA Form 3355 is crucial as the final section requires certification by an administrative official that the total points shown have been accurately extracted from appropriate records.
• There is a provision for counseling statements on the form, to be used when a soldier is not recommended for promotion, ensuring transparency and guidance for future improvement.
• The structure of the DA Form 3355 underscores the comprehensive evaluation of a soldier's overall performance, achievements, and educational background, impacting promotion decisions significantly.

Utilizing the DA Form 3355 effectively requires attention to detail, a comprehensive understanding of the evaluation criteria, and conscientious updating of achievements and qualifications.