Fill Out Form DD-370 in 2026
This document lets a commanding officer request employer, school, or personal references on an applicant’s conduct and character, then let you fill it in and download your copy.
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How to fill out a DD-370 Form
Follow the steps below and complete it without guesswork.
Open the form
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Fill in your details
Complete required fields such as the applicant's name and your relationship.
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What is a DD-370 Form?
DD Form 370, Request for Reference, is a military document sent to an applicant's employer, former employer, or school official, never to the applicant. It asks for honest input on the person's character and suitability for service in the Armed Forces. The chosen reference fills it out directly, keeping the process unbiased. Recruiters use the answers to support enlistment decisions, and the completed form becomes part of the applicant's confidential military personnel record.
Key Takeaways
- DD Form 370 goes to an employer or teacher
- Recruiters use it to assess enlistment fit
- Responses stay confidential in service records
What is a DD-370 Form used for?
Recruiters send this form to gather background details on a military applicant before enlistment. It's mailed to people who can speak to the applicant's character, especially in waiver cases involving a past civil or criminal offense. Requests typically go to:
- Current or former employers, for a work-related reference
- School officials, for academic or conduct records
- Personal references named by the applicant
The answers help the commanding officer judge whether the applicant is suitable for service, and the results become part of their military personnel record.
What information is required on a DD-370 Form?
NAME (Last, First, Middle Initial, Rank)
Enter the recruiting representative's last name, first name, middle initial, and rank.
DATE SIGNED (YYYYMMDD)
Enter the date the recruiting representative signs the request in year-month-day format.
E-MAIL / PHONE NUMBER
Provide the recruiting representative's email address and phone number for contact.
APPLICANT'S NAME (Last, First, Middle Initial)
Enter the applicant's last name, first name, and middle initial for identification.
NAME (Last, First, Middle Initial) / MAILING ADDRESS
Enter the reference's own name and complete mailing address.
DATES OF SCHOOL ATTENDANCE OR EMPLOYMENT (FROM/TO, YYYYMMDD)
Enter the start and end dates the reference knew the applicant through school or work.
WHAT IS YOUR RELATIONSHIP TO THE APPLICANT?
Mark an X to show whether the reference is an employer, school official, or other relation.
HOW LONG HAVE YOU KNOWN THE APPLICANT? (FROM/TO, YYYYMMDD)
Enter the start and end dates showing how long the reference has known the applicant.
When is a DD-370 Form due?
There is no fixed deadline for a DD-370 Form. A recruiter sends it to a reference during enlistment processing, and the timing depends on that process rather than a set date. The reference should complete and return the form as soon as possible, since a delay can hold up the applicant's enlistment.
Get your DD-370 Form ready
Open the DD-370 Form here, fill in each reference field, and download your completed copy when you're finished.
When is a DD Form 370 not required?
No official DoD instruction sets a dollar limit, formal exemption, or a substitute form for DD-370, so whether it's required comes down to recruiter judgment. Some employers only confirm dates by phone instead of returning the paperwork, but that reflects practical noncompliance, not an approved exemption. Applicants themselves never complete it—recruiting personnel handle that step.
What does a DD-370 form look like
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