Writing an Army Letter IAW AR 25-50
Why is it important to write a letter of introduction in the Army?
Writing a letter of introduction is crucial for the Army because it gives those in charge of your career in your new location a chance to get to know you on more than just a name-to-face basis. By describing yourself, your background, your interests, and your personal life to your officers, you help them get to know you better and may be able to get you a job in a field you’re particularly passionate about. Although not everyone uses one, doing so can demonstrate to potential employers that you are interested in acting professionally and corresponding with your managers.
What is a letter of introduction for the Army?
Before joining their battalion, company, or squad, you can send your commanding officer (or commanding officers) a letter of introduction to introduce yourself. This could be your first assignment following basic training in the Army or it could be a later move in your military career. When you first report to that location, your officers may or may not have the time to meet with you in person, so the purpose of a letter of introduction is to introduce yourself and tell them about your background, interests, and who you are.
Tips for writing a letter of introduction
The following advice should be kept in mind as you draft your letter of introduction:
How to write a letter of introduction for the Army
Here is how to draft an Army letter of introduction that, while it may also be given to other officers in your battalion, should be sent to your commanding officer first:
1. Introduce yourself
Unless you are sending the letter via email, you should start your letter by stating your name and current address as you would in any other business letter. But whether it’s an email or a physical letter, the first paragraph of your letter should contain some fundamental details about you. This might include your name, rank, the fact that you’ll be joining their command, your hometown, and the kind of education you’ve received, including any military training. It should be clear from this paragraph that you will be reporting to them and providing information about your background.
2. Explain your timeline
Your planned timetable for joining their command should be explained in the second paragraph of your letter. This could include the date you intend to complete any training, your current assignment and its end date, the day you’ll report to their base, or any other relevant information about your plans. If there will be a time gap between the conclusion of your prior assignment and the beginning of your assignment under their command, such as a vacation, mention it here as well.
3. Mention your experience and goals
Once you’ve covered the essentials, you can add a bit more detail about your background and objectives to help initiate conversations once you report to their command. You don’t have to go into great detail, but this could include an explanation of prior duties. It should be sufficient to give a brief explanation of your past accomplishments and how they relate to your career objectives. It’s crucial to exercise diplomacy in this section because your commanding officer might not be able to accommodate your requests.
4. Include personal information
You can include a brief paragraph about your personal life after you’ve finished discussing your professional matters. This could include details about your significant other, your spouse, your kids, and any pets you’ll be relocating with. This can be helpful, especially if you and your family will be residing on base. You can also list a few interests you have in terms of hobbies or features of your new house that you are eager to discover. This humanizes you in the eyes of your commanding officer and may be a good way to establish a rapport with them before you enlist in their service.
5. End with contact information
Before you close and sign your letter, the last paragraph should contain your contact information. Your cell phone number, military email address, and current address are all potential sources of contact information. You could also include a brief statement at the end of your letter expressing how much you are looking forward to working with your commanding officer. This puts an end to the conversation and hopefully leaves them with a favorable impression of you before you join their command.
Template for a letter of introduction for the Army
Here is a sample letter of introduction for the Army that you can use, but it’s important to keep in mind that a physical letter is the only format in which your name, address, and other contact information are required:
[Name]
[Address]
[Phone number]
[Email]
[Date]
[Battalion, company, platoon or squad name]
[Address]
Dear [commanding officer name],
Your introduction is in paragraph one, and it states that you will soon be joining their command. ].
[Your timeline is described in paragraph two, including the day you intend to report for duty. If you’d like, you can combine this with paragraph one. ].
[Your experience and objectives are briefly discussed in paragraph three. ].
[In paragraph four, you should list any family members who will be moving with you and a few of your interests. ].
[Your contact information and a statement in favor of taking over their command are in the final paragraph. ].
Sincerely,
[Your name]
CC: [Names of anyone who will also receive a copy, e.g., other officers besides your immediate supervisor] ].
Example of a letter of introduction
Here is an illustration of a letter of introduction for the Army:
James Chu
9078 E. Kennedy Rd.
Atlanta, GA 48096
(906) 509-2682
[email protected]
March 19, 2021
1st Company, 2nd Battalion
2306 Rogue St.
Anchorage, AK 90560
Dear Captain Bishop,
My name is James Chu, and I was previously assigned to the Smith base in Atlanta as an occupational therapy specialist. I will soon be joining your command as a Private First Class. Im originally from Chicago. After a two-week leave to visit family, I’ll fly to Anchorage on April 16 and report for duty on April 19.
I’ve learned how much I enjoy helping people through my work as an occupational therapy specialist in Atlanta, and I’m excited to carry that out in Alaska with your company. To advance my Army career, I hope to one day finish my bachelor’s degree and enroll in officer training.
Along with my spouse, our two children, and family dog, I will be relocating. I like to go hiking, boating, working out, and reading in my free time.
You can reach me at (906) 509-2682 or *j if you want to speak with me before I move. chu@email. com. I am eager to serve under your direction and learn more about the entire business. **.
Sincerely,
James Chu
FAQ
How do you introduce a military officer?
The following elements ought to be included in such a letter: An explanation of why you’re writing An overview of the people you’re introducing them to, any pertinent information about them, like their job, and how you personally know them
How do I write a letter to the military?
In general, it is customary to address an officer directly by calling him or her by the title “Sir” or “Ma’am” rather than by rank and last name. Avoid referring to the officer or any Soldier solely by their rank (e g. “Colonel,” “Lieutenant,” or “Sergeant”), as this is frequently regarded as impolite.
