DA Form 160 at a glance
What it is: DA Form 160 is the Application for Active Duty.
Who signs: 14. SIGNATURE OF APPLICANT DATE SIGNED
Used by Reserve Component Soldiers to apply for active duty programs announced by HQDA. Application is reviewed to determine the member's eligibility for announced active duty requirements.
A filled-in DA Form 160 example: a Reserve officer applies for active duty
How to fill out DA Form 160, box by box
1. DATE, 2. TO: Commander, 3. FROM
1. DATE ITEM 2. TO: Commander, personnel serving on active duty in a warrant officer or enlisted status: Enter the area command in which serving on active duty. All others: Enter the area command having assignment jurisdiction over you. 3. FROM (Last, First, MI)
Items 4a to 4c: your Reserve grade, component and branch
Items 4a through 4c will be completed by individuals currently holding appointments or enlistments as Reserves of the Army.
Item 4a: Enter present grade. Warrant officers will include Pay Grade in this item, such as WO, W-1, CWO, W-2, etc. ITEM 5.
Item 4b: Enter the Reserve component of the Army to which assigned, using the following abbreviations: "ARNGUS" for members assigned to the Army National Guard of the United States. "USAR" for members assigned to the Army Reserve
Item 4c: Commissioned officers, enter the branch to which assigned.
Reserve Component officers are normally recalled in their current Reserve grade.
Items 5a and 5b: MOS/AOC and component
Item 5a: Enter your primary MOS or AOC.
Item 5b: Individuals applying for appointment as Reserve officers of the Army with concurrent active duty, enter the Reserve component for which applying.
Grade of an individual applying for appointment and concurrent order to active duty will be determined by the approving authority.
6a and 6b: permanent home address and phone no.
Item 6: The term "Permanent Home Address" corresponds to your "Home of Record," an official term used in determining entitlement to travel allowances on separation from the service. The Permanent Home Address will be indicated in orders placing you on active duty. NO CHANGE IN HOME OF RECORD IS AUTHORIZED AFTER ENTRY ON ACTIVE DUTY.
For applicants not on active duty: Enter your permanent home address.
For applicants currently on active duty as officers: enter home of record as shown on your warrant officer active duty orders.
For enlisted applicants currently on active duty: Enter home address as shown on your Enlistment Record (DD Form 4).
6a. PERMANENT HOME ADDRESS (Include ZIP code) 6b. PHONE NO. (Include area code)
7a to 7c: temporary address, duration and phone no.
Item 7 is to be completed if it is anticipated that you will be at the temporary address when orders are issued. The temporary address, if furnished, will be included in your orders and you will enter on active duty from the temporary address.
7b. DURATION Item 7b: Show maximum period you anticipate being at the temporary address, such as "Until (give month and year)."
Item 7c: Furnish the telephone number at your temporary address. 7a. TEMPORARY ADDRESS (Include ZIP code) 7c. PHONE NO. (Include area code)
Item 8: personnel on active duty as warrant officer or enlisted
Item 8 to be completed only by personnel currently serving on active duty in a warrant officer or enlisted status: 8a. PRESENT ACTIVE DUTY GRADE 8b. ORGANIZATION AND STATION ASSIGNMENT
9. Period of years, indefinite period and other branches
9. I hereby volunteer to enter on active duty, in my branch or any of the following branches that I may be qualified for; and if accepted for active duty in another branch, I request transfer to that branch: (Check as appropriate)
b. FOR AN INDEFINITE PERIOD a. FOR A PERIOD OF YEARS c. OTHER BRANCHES (List in order of preference)
10. Duty assignment and area assignment
10. I understand that if accepted for active duty I may be assigned to any command, including an overseas command, to fill any Army-wide vacancy. However, I would like to be considered for one of the three duty assignments and areas of assignment listed in the order of my choice. CHOICE NO. 1 CHOICE NO. 2 CHOICE NO. 3
a. DUTY ASSIGNMENT b. AREA ASSIGNMENT
11. Preference, month and year
11. If it is possible, I prefer to enter on active duty during one of the three periods in order of preference: PREFERENCE NO. 1 (Month and Year) PREFERENCE NO. 2 (Month and Year) PREFERENCE NO. 3 (Month and Year)
12. Time to settle my affairs
12. Upon receipt of active duty orders, I will require the time indicated to settle my affairs for entry on active duty. (Check appropriate box) 60 DAYS 30 DAYS 10 DAYS AVAILABLE ON DATE OF RECEIPT OF ORDERS
Item 13: remarks
13. REMARKS (If more space is needed, continue on separate sheet) Include all information you consider essential from the standpoint of assignment restriction.
If space is insufficient for a particular item, continue under item 13, "Remarks," or on a separate sheet, indicating applicable item number.
14. Signature of applicant
14. SIGNATURE OF APPLICANT DATE SIGNED
IMPORTANT: Review your application to ensure accuracy and completeness.
More rules for DA Form 160
Voluntary, failure to furnish information may result in denial of application for active duty.
Items not listed are considered to be self-explanatory.
Where to send it
You are a soldier of the Army National Guard of the United States
Soldiers of the Army National Guard of the United States: To your unit commander. Applicants who are ARNG OCS candidates, BOLC students, or attending aviator courses will apply through proper school commandant.
You are a soldier of the Army Reserve
Soldiers of the Army Reserve: To your unit commander, if assigned to a unit. If not, send to U.S. Army Human Resources Command, Officer Accessions Branch (AHRC-ORD-A), 1600 Spearhead Division Avenue, Fort Knox, KY 40122-5204. Applicants who are USAR OCS candidates, BOLC students, or attending aviator courses will apply through proper school commandant.
You are an officer or enlisted person on active duty
Officers or enlisted personnel on active duty: To your present unit commander.
You are applying for appointment with concurrent active duty
Individuals applying for appointment with concurrent active duty: Submit together with your application for appointment according to regulations applicable to the type of appointment requested.
Sources
[1] DA Form 160 (SEP 2019), Application for Active Duty, U.S. Army (the Official source link on this page).
