DA Form 2600: Referral and Selection Register Guide & PDF

DA Form 2600: Referral and Selection Register Guide & PDF – DA Form 2600, titled Referral and Selection Register, is an official U.S. Army form used in the civilian personnel hiring and promotion process. It serves as a key document for referring best-qualified candidates to selecting officials and documenting the final selection decision.

The form is prescribed for use under AR 690-300, Chapter 335 (Employment), with the proponent agency being the Deputy Chief of Staff for Personnel (now aligned under current Army G-1 structures). It supports merit-based selection for appropriated fund civilian positions in the competitive and excepted services.

Download the official DA Form 2600 here: https://armypubs.army.mil/pub/eforms/DR_a/pdf/web/ARN6547_A2600_FINAL.pdf

Purpose of the Referral and Selection Register

The primary purpose of DA Form 2600 is to formalize the referral of top candidates from the Civilian Personnel Office (CPO) to the selecting supervisor and to record the supervisor’s selection rationale. This ensures compliance with merit promotion principles, equal employment opportunity, and federal hiring regulations.

Key functions include:

  • Listing best-qualified candidates after evaluation against Office of Personnel Management (OPM) standards and job-related factors.
  • Providing a transparent record of the selection process.
  • Documenting reasons for selection to support auditability and fairness.
  • Facilitating management’s right to select while maintaining regulatory compliance.

It is commonly used in competitive placement actions, promotions, and other internal or external recruitment for Army civilian positions.

When and Why DA Form 2600 Is Used?

DA Form 2600 is required during competitive recruitment and placement actions under AR 690-300. It applies when filling vacancies through merit promotion or other referral processes.

Selecting officials receive the form with attached candidate documentation (applications, resumes, performance appraisals, etc.). After review—sometimes including interviews—the official indicates the selection and provides justification based on merit factors.

This form helps Army organizations:

  • Maintain documented, defensible hiring decisions.
  • Support priority consideration, veterans’ preference, and other special hiring authorities where applicable.
  • Streamline the transition from referral to personnel action processing.

Structure and Key Sections of DA Form 2600

The form is divided into two main parts:

Part I – Completed by Civilian Personnel Office

  • Block 1: Position to be filled (title, series, grade, organization).
  • Block 2: Announcement number and date.
  • Block 3: Area of consideration (if other than activity-wide).
  • Block 4: Total number of eligible candidates.
  • Block 5: Evaluation and ranking (raters and CPO advisor).
  • Block 6: List of best-qualified candidates with their current position, title, series, and grade.
  • Signature of CPO representative.

A note warns about the prohibition on selecting relatives (5 U.S.C. 3110).

Part II – Completed by Selecting Supervisor

  • Merit factors considered.
  • Selected candidate(s).
  • Detailed reasons for the selection tied to job-related factors.
  • Typed name, signature, and date of the selecting supervisor.

Additional blocks for CPO use include personnel action effective date.

How to Fill Out and Use DA Form 2600 (Step-by-Step)?

  1. CPO Preparation: Evaluate candidates, rank the best qualified, and prepare the referral list with supporting documents.
  2. Referral: Send the completed Part I (with attachments) to the selecting official.
  3. Review by Supervisor: Consider all referred candidates. Document merit factors and selection rationale.
  4. Selection: Indicate the chosen candidate(s) and return the form to the CPO.
  5. Processing: CPO finalizes the personnel action.

Always refer to the latest AR 690-300 and local Civilian Human Resources Agency (CHRA) guidance for current procedures. Selections must be based on job-related criteria, not prohibited factors.

Pro Tip: Retain copies for records as these documents support audits and potential appeals.

  • AR 690-300: Primary regulation covering employment policies, including referral and selection.
  • Army Civilian Human Resources Agency (CHRA) portals and local HR offices.
  • Office of Personnel Management (OPM) standards for federal hiring.
  • Additional guidance in Army in Europe or command-specific supplements where applicable.

For the most current version and instructions, visit the official Army Publishing Directorate (armypubs.army.mil).

Why Proper Use of DA Form 2600 Matters?

Accurate completion of the Referral and Selection Register promotes fair, transparent, and merit-based hiring across the U.S. Army civilian workforce. It protects the integrity of the selection process, ensures regulatory compliance, and helps attract and retain top talent for critical Army missions.

Army civilians, HR professionals, and supervisors in the United States should familiarize themselves with this form as part of standard personnel management practices.

This article is for informational purposes and is based on publicly available Army regulations and forms as of the latest updates. Always consult your local Civilian Personnel Office or the most recent official publications for authoritative guidance.