Results for authority

Active Duty Enlisted Administrative Separations

AR 635-200 governs administrative separation of enlisted Soldiers on active duty: the bases for separation, the characterization of service, and the procedural rights that attach. Company and battalion leaders use it for chapter actions; the separation authority and the servicing judge advocate drive the process. Get legal review before initiating anything.

Army Command Policy

AR 600-20 is the command policy regulation: chain of command, military discipline and conduct, prohibited relationships, equal opportunity, harassment prevention and response, and the commander's authority over Soldiers. It is the single regulation most often cited at boards and in adverse actions. It is revised frequently -- verify the current edition before quoting a paragraph.

Leaves and Passes

AR 600-8-10 governs leave and pass: accrual, approval authority, emergency leave, permissive TDY, and the rules for special passes. It is the reference behind every DA Form 31 argument. Company-level leaders should know the approval authorities cold.

Procedures for Preliminary Inquiries, Administrative Investigations, and Boards of Officers

AR 15-6 governs preliminary inquiries, administrative investigations, and boards of officers -- the process behind almost every commander-directed investigation. The 2025 revision reorganized the procedures and added the preliminary inquiry to the title. If you are appointed as an investigating officer, read it before you interview anyone.

The Army

ADP 1 explains what the Army is for: who we serve, where our authority comes from, and what the Army contributes to the joint force. It is written as much for Congress, sister services, and partners as it is for Soldiers. Read it when you need the institutional answer to why the Army exists rather than how it fights.

The Army: A Primer to Our Profession of Arms

FM 1 is a short primer on what it means to belong to the profession of arms and what Soldiers owe each other, civilian leadership, and the country. It was published in May 2025 as a standalone read for Soldiers rather than a replacement for ADP 1. It is written to be read cover to cover in one sitting.

The Noncommissioned Officer Guide

TC 7-22.7 is the NCO guide: the duties, responsibilities, and authority of noncommissioned officers, the NCO support channel, and the expectations at each grade. The August 2025 edition supersedes the January 2020 guide. It is required reading for anyone going before a promotion board.