How to Write a DA 31 Leave Request and Store in iPERMS

A DA Form 31, Request and Authority for Leave, documents a Soldier’s request to take ordinary leave, emergency leave, permissive temporary duty, or another authorized absence. The form identifies the requested dates, destination, leave address, type of absence, and approval chain.

A complete form helps the unit confirm accountability and helps the Soldier maintain an accurate personnel record. Errors in dates, signatures, or supporting documents can delay approval, affect duty status, or create problems when leave must later be verified.

The process may vary by command, installation, and the systems used by the unit. Many organizations begin the request through IPPS-A or a local electronic workflow, while others still use a completed PDF or printed DA Form 31. Always follow the current instructions from the servicing S-1 or personnel office.

What the DA Form 31 Records

The form establishes when leave begins, when it ends, and when the Soldier is expected to return to duty. It also records the leave address and a reliable way to make contact during the absence. These details are important if the unit must reach the Soldier or verify accountability.

A DA 31 generally includes the Soldier’s name, rank, DOD ID or other identifying information, unit, leave type, inclusive dates, total number of days, and approval authorities. The leave address should be specific enough for official contact, including a complete street address when applicable.

The form is an authorization document, not simply a personal planning worksheet. A Soldier should not assume leave is approved because the request was submitted. Approval must be completed through the unit’s designated chain before departing.

Gather Details Before Completing the Form

Confirm the exact first day of leave and the date and time the Soldier must return. Check the duty schedule, training calendar, duty roster, and any unit holiday or block-leave guidance. Counting inclusive dates incorrectly is a common reason for corrections.

Prepare the destination address, phone number, email address if required, and details about travel outside the local area. If the request involves emergency leave, foreign travel, permissive TDY, or another special category, gather the supporting documents required by the command.

It is also useful to review the Soldier’s existing personnel records before submitting an important request. Guidance on obtaining an official personnel file can help identify discrepancies in names, identification data, assignments, or previously filed documents.

Complete Each Important Block Carefully

Enter information exactly as it appears in official military records. Use the correct legal name, rank, organization, and identifying number. Avoid informal abbreviations unless the form or unit instructions specifically permit them.

Select the correct leave category and enter the dates in the required format. Calculate the number of days according to the form’s instructions, including weekends and holidays when they fall within the approved leave period. If travel days or special circumstances affect the calculation, ask the S-1 for guidance rather than guessing.

Provide a complete leave address and current contact information. Review every entry for transposed numbers, missing apartment or unit information, and inconsistent dates. If the form is completed electronically, save a clean copy before routing it for signatures.

Route the Request for Approval

The rater, supervisor, commander, or other approving official may vary by unit and leave type. Follow the local routing sequence and make sure every required signature or electronic approval is present. A form with only the Soldier’s signature is usually a request, not final authority to depart.

A supervisor may check staffing, duty coverage, and the Soldier’s projected return. The approving authority may also verify leave balance, operational requirements, and supporting documentation. If changes are made after signature, the form may need to be resubmitted.

Record or action	Main purpose	What to verify
DA Form 31 request	Documents the requested absence	Dates, leave type, destination, contact details
Approval workflow	Establishes command authorization	Required reviewers and completed signatures
Leave and Earnings Statement	Shows leave balance and accounting	Available days and later charge
iPERMS upload	Preserves the approved record when required	Legibility, correct document, proper indexing
Unit leave tracker	Supports local accountability	Departure, return, and status entries

Keep evidence of approval before beginning travel. An email, workflow status, or signed PDF may be useful for personal records, but it does not replace the official process required by the command.

Prepare the File for iPERMS

After approval, confirm whether the unit requires the DA Form 31 to be uploaded to iPERMS, retained in a local electronic records system, or handled by the S-1. Filing requirements can differ based on the document’s status, the Soldier’s component, and current Army records policy.

Scan or export the approved form so that every page is readable. The file should show the Soldier’s identifying information, leave dates, signatures or electronic approvals, and any required attachments. Do not upload a blank draft, duplicate copy, or page with a cut-off signature.

Use a sensible filename that makes the document easy to identify, such as the document type and leave dates, while following unit cybersecurity and naming rules. Access to personnel records should be limited to authorized users. Do not email sensitive documents to unverified addresses or upload them to an unofficial storage service.

A stored DD-214 follows a different records process, but the same principle of preserving an accurate, readable personnel document applies. Soldiers who need that separate record can review instructions for a stored DD-214 request.

Confirm the Upload and Keep Proof

After submission, check that the document appears in the correct iPERMS record rather than assuming the upload succeeded. Review the image for missing pages, incorrect orientation, unreadable text, or a missing approval. If the document is rejected, read the rejection reason and correct the specific problem.

Keep a personal copy of the approved DA Form 31 and any upload or transaction confirmation in a secure location. A personal copy is useful for resolving questions about approved dates, but it should not be treated as a replacement for the official Army record.

If the form does not appear after the expected processing period, contact the unit S-1 or authorized records manager. Provide the document title, dates, submission details, and any rejection message. Avoid creating multiple duplicate submissions without guidance because duplicates can make the record harder to interpret.

A Reliable Filing Checklist

Before submitting or storing the request, use this short review:

• Confirm the leave type, inclusive dates, number of days, and required return date.
• Check the destination address, telephone number, and emergency contact information.
• Verify that all required signatures, electronic approvals, and supporting documents are present.
• Save a readable copy and upload it only through the authorized personnel-records process.
• Review iPERMS after processing and report missing, rejected, or incorrect records to the S-1.

A carefully completed DA Form 31 supports leave approval, accountability, and future record verification. Begin with the unit’s current instructions, review every field before routing, and retain proof that the approved document was submitted and stored. For record-specific questions, work with the chain of command, S-1, or authorized Army personnel office.