Da Form 4126 R – Fill Out and Use This PDF

Da Form 4126 R PDF Details

The DA Form 4126-R is the official U.S. Army certificate used to formally recommend that a soldier be barred from reenlisting. It operates under the authority of Army Regulation 601-280, with the Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Personnel (ODCSPER) serving as the proponent agency. Commanders initiate this bar when a soldier's conduct, performance, or record indicates that continued service is not in the best interest of the Army.

Grounds for a Bar to Reenlistment

A commander may initiate a bar to reenlistment for any of the following reasons:

• Court-martial conviction or pending court-martial charges
• Non-judicial punishment under Article 15 within the current enlistment period
• Failure to pay just debts or a pattern of financial irresponsibility
• Recurring disciplinary issues or a pattern of negative counseling statements
• Untrainability or unsuitability indicators suggesting the soldier cannot meet Army standards
• Persistent failure to meet Army weight, fitness, or conduct requirements

Key Sections of DA Form 4126-R

The form is divided into four sections that guide the bar recommendation from initiation through final decision:

• Section I - Commander's Recommendation: The initiating commander records the specific reasons for the bar, citing incidents and attaching supporting documentation.
• Section II - Soldier's Review: The soldier acknowledges receipt, may submit a written statement in response, and signs to confirm the counseling session occurred.
• Section III - Battalion or Next Higher Commander's Decision: The reviewing authority approves or disapproves the recommendation based on all submitted documentation.
• Section IV - Counseling Acknowledgment: Documents that the soldier was informed of the right to appeal the decision through the chain of command.

Soldier's Rights and the Appeal Process

Under AR 601-280, a soldier subject to a bar retains specific procedural rights throughout the process. The soldier must receive a copy of the DA Form 4126-R and have the opportunity to review all supporting documentation before a decision is made. The soldier may submit a personal statement addressing the allegations, and this statement must be forwarded with the recommendation to the reviewing commander.

If the bar is approved, the soldier has the right to appeal to the next higher commander within the timeframe specified by the regulation. A bar to reenlistment is not permanent. Soldiers who demonstrate improved conduct and performance may request removal through the chain of command. Removal requires evidence of sustained rehabilitation and a positive recommendation from the current unit commander.

Related Army Administrative Forms

The bar to reenlistment process often involves other Army administrative forms. The DA Form 4187 covers personnel actions that may accompany a bar recommendation. For recognition purposes, the DA Form 638 is used to recommend a soldier for an award. When documenting a non-commissioned officer's overall performance, commanders use the DA Form 2166-8-1 NCOER. Leaders maintaining a comprehensive soldier record may also reference the Army Leaders Book form.