DD Form 785 - Fill Out and Use This PDF

What Is DD Form 785 and How Is It Used?

DD Form 785, officially titled the Record of Disenrollment from Officer Candidate-Type Training, is the primary administrative document used by all U.S. military branches to record the formal separation of a candidate from officer training programs. The individual's commanding officer and program administrator jointly complete the form, which becomes a permanent part of the service member's Official Military Personnel File (OMPF). The official form is maintained by the Washington Headquarters Services and applies across the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard.

Key Sections of the Form

The form is divided into five sections that create a complete record of the disenrollment event:

• Section I - Identification Data: Personal details including name, Social Security Number, date of birth, branch of service, and the specific officer training program attended.
• Section II - Recommendation: The commanding officer's formal recommendation for post-disenrollment disposition, such as return to enlisted status, administrative separation, or continued active service.
• Section III - Reasons for Disenrollment: The specific grounds for removal from the program. This covers academic deficiency, physical fitness failure, medical disqualification, misconduct, honor code violations, or voluntary withdrawal. Errors occur most often in this section, so careful review is essential.
• Section IV - Evaluation for Future Training: An assessment of whether the candidate should be considered for other officer programs. Rating categories include Highly Recommended, Recommended, or Not Recommended.
• Section V - Certification: Required signatures from the program commander and reviewing authority confirming the accuracy of all recorded information.

How to Complete Each Section Correctly

Section I should be completed first using the candidate's official personnel records. Double-check the Social Security Number, full legal name, and program code before entering them. Errors in identification data can delay processing and affect the service member's official record.

Section II requires the commanding officer to specify the candidate's future duty assignment or separation status. The options include return to prior enlisted status, administrative discharge, medical separation, or continued service in a different capacity. Each option has distinct follow-on paperwork requirements.

Section III is the most frequently completed incorrectly. The form lists multiple reason codes for disenrollment. Select every code that applies to the specific situation. Leave no applicable box unchecked. If a reason falls under the other category, a written explanation must be included in the remarks field.

Section IV requires an honest evaluation of the candidate's potential for future officer service. Program commanders should base their rating on observed performance throughout the training period, not solely on the reason for disenrollment.

Who Completes This Form

The form is initiated and completed by the training program's administrative staff and the officer in charge, not by the disenrolled candidate. Once signed, it is filed in the service member's personnel record and may be referenced in future promotion boards, security clearance reviews, and personnel decisions.

Programs Covered by This Form

This record applies to disenrollments from Officer Candidate School (OCS), Officer Training School (OTS), the Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC), and similar programs across all branches. It is also required when a service academy cadet separates before commissioning. A service member who believes the disenrollment was unjust may challenge the record through the Board for Correction of Military Records.