How to request a DD Form 1A?

2022-09-26T18:45:56-04:00

How I can I request this after commissioning? I love framing my accomplishments and to be quite frank, it'll look pretty good in my home office. But all in all, it is something I'd like to have. Anyone have experience with this? As a direct commission, I don't have anyone really guiding me through this process. The only document that I've got so far is my DA 71.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 26 at 2022 7:17 PM

2022-09-26T19:17:36-04:00

I am a direct commission as well................

You should eventually get one in the mail. Eventually........ at the Army's own schedule.

The GOOD NEWS is you'll get it while your still a 2LT.

Response by COL Randall C. made Sep 26 at 2022 9:06 PM

2022-09-26T21:06:05-04:00

Congrats on your first step of making an "I love me" wall.

While you may start out small with just your DD1, you'll eventually collect enough plaques, coins, and other memorabilia to fill a room!

Response by 2LT Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 26 at 2022 10:32 PM

2022-09-26T22:32:10-04:00

I’ve been an officer for over four year and never got one of these. How do you get it?

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made Sep 27 at 2022 2:16 PM

2022-09-27T14:16:10-04:00

To each their own. I was never never never into an I Love Me wall. Everything got tossed into boxes in the loft. That said, when we retired for good and moved rural, those boxes came off the moving truck. Not wanting to figure out storage, I put them up on the downstairs guest bedroom wall. I rarely go in there, but guests will certainly mention it at breakfast. Most are EOT plaques, a South Pole, couple tours with the Marines, etc. Finally hung up the school rugs (bipolar UCLA and USC) and Professional Engineer stuff. Add a memorial plaque for The Duke (Sands of Iwo Jima), and it's complete. Oh, the fruit salad decorations? In a 3-ring binder on the shelf. It's always been more about where I been and what I thought about it vs. what others thought.

Response by LTC Trent Klug made Sep 27 at 2022 3:13 PM

2022-09-27T15:13:27-04:00

The only piece of a love me wall I ever had was a US flag that flew over my last infantry company assignment. I became a MP company commander and just left for the assignment with few goodbyes from the battalion I had been in for 9 years (both enlisted and commissioned). That flag means more to me than anything I ever received as it was from the men of the company and it wasn't a 'have to' going away gift.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 28 at 2022 1:25 PM

2022-09-28T13:25:41-04:00

Disclosure: I personally tried the below approach for promotions (after my 2LT appointment). My letter of request was RETURN TO SENDER via the US Post Office UNOPENED.

I was hoping to get one for each rank like my Grandfather did, but I guess that was back in the day when the local base or post 1 shop would make the certificates.

AR 135-155 (July 2004, btw I just pulled this from Army Pubs)
Chapter 5
5–2. Procedures for requesting certificates

a. Soldiers desiring DD Form 1A will submit a written request to include full name (first name— middle name—last name). Include SSN or service number, current mailing address, and current military status. The request will include a copy of the pertinent promotion memorandum or order, if available.
b. On completion of processing, documents supporting the promotion and the certificate will be returned. Allow about 120 days for processing and mailing of a commission certificate. Requests from the officer concerned, or next of kin for deceased personnel, will be sent to the addresses shown below.

CDR, HRC, Chief, Office of Promotions (Reserve Components)
ATTN: AHRC-MSL-N
9700 Page Avenue
St. Louis,, MO 63132-5200

Response by 2LT Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 30 at 2022 9:16 AM

2022-09-30T09:16:36-04:00

If you’re assigned to a unit, go through your S1. If not, your commissioning source should be able to point you in the right direction.