DA Form 3822: 2026 Guide to Army Mental Status Evaluation

DA Form 3822 – If you’re a U.S. Army Soldier, commander, or military family member searching for accurate information on DA Form 3822, you’ve come to the right place. This official Department of the Army form—formally titled Report of Mental Status Evaluation—plays a critical role in behavioral health (BH) assessments for service members. Whether it’s for a command-directed evaluation, administrative separation, fitness-for-duty determination, or special assignments, understanding DA Form 3822 helps ensure compliance with Army regulations and supports Soldier readiness and well-being.

In this SEO-optimized guide, we cover everything you need to know: what the form is, its purpose, how it’s used, key sections, how to obtain the official DA Form 3822 PDF, and frequently asked questions—all based on trusted, current U.S. Army sources as of 2026.

What Is DA Form 3822?

DA Form 3822 is the standardized U.S. Army document used by credentialed behavioral health providers to document a comprehensive mental status evaluation (MSE) of a service member (SM). The current version is DA FORM 3822, JUN 2019 (previous editions are obsolete).

It is governed by Army Regulation (AR) 40-66, Medical Record Administration and Health Care Documentation, with the Office of The Surgeon General (OTSG) as the proponent agency.

The form provides commanders with clear, actionable feedback on a Soldier’s behavioral health status while protecting sensitive medical information under HIPAA and Army privacy rules.

Primary Purposes and Common Uses of DA Form 3822

Commanders and behavioral health providers rely on DA Form 3822 in numerous scenarios, including:

  • Command-Directed Behavioral Health Evaluations (CDBHE) — Required when a commander has concerns about a Soldier’s mental health impacting duty performance.
  • Administrative Separations — Mandatory for many chapters under AR 635-200 (e.g., Chapters 5, 13, 14, 15) to assess whether a behavioral health condition is a mitigating factor.
  • Fitness for Duty and Medical Retention — Determines if a Soldier meets AR 40-501 standards or requires a profile, referral to the Disability Evaluation System, or further assessment.
  • Special Assignments — Used for recruiting, CID candidates, positions of significant trust and authority (e.g., SHARP, VA, SARC, Drill Sergeants), and security clearance-related evaluations.
  • Line of Duty (LOD) Determinations — Supports behavioral health LOD packets.
  • Other — Pre-deployment screening, advanced training clearance, or command consultations per AR 600-92 (Army Resilience Program).

The form ensures commanders receive timely, written feedback—often within one business day of a command-directed evaluation—while maintaining patient confidentiality.

Who Completes DA Form 3822?

Only credentialed behavioral health providers (psychiatrists, psychologists, licensed clinical social workers, etc.) at military treatment facilities (MTFs) or authorized clinics complete the form. Commanders request the evaluation; providers perform it and return the completed DA Form 3822 to the commander (often marked “Commander’s Eyes Only”).

Soldiers do not fill out the form themselves.

Breakdown of Key Sections on DA Form 3822 (JUN 2019)

The two-page form is structured for clarity and efficiency:

  • Patient Information — Rank/Grade, Name, DOB, DOD ID, Status, Unit, etc.
  • SECTION I – Reason for Behavioral Health Evaluation — Documents the specific reason for the MSE.
  • SECTION II – Behavioral Health Disposition Determination — Critical checkboxes cover:
    • No impairing BH condition / Cleared for duty/training.
    • Meets retention standards (with or without deployability waiver).
    • Profile or Disability Evaluation System referral needed.
    • Further assessment required.
  • SECTION III – Screening for Mental Status Evaluation — Objective assessment of:
    • Appearance / Behavior / Cognition / Perceptions
    • Risk for harm to self or others (Not Elevated / Low / Intermediate / High)
    • Screenings for PTSD, Depression, Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), Substance Misuse, Sexual Trauma
    • Positive findings or elevated risks noted in comments.
  • SECTION IV – Diagnoses — Only BH and relevant medical diagnoses that support Section II findings.
  • SECTION V – Follow-Up Recommendations — No follow-up, recommended appointments, or command referrals (e.g., Family Advocacy, Substance Use Disorder Program).
  • SECTION VI – Recommendations and Comments for Commander — Tailored guidance, including:
    • Mitigating factors for administrative actions
    • Safety precautions (weapon restrictions, no-contact orders, barracks placement)
    • Specific notes for recruiting, CID, or positions of significant trust and authority
    • Provider signatures and contact information for follow-up.

This structured format ensures commanders receive precise, operationally relevant information.

How to Obtain the Official DA Form 3822 PDF (2026)?

Always use official sources to avoid outdated or non-compliant versions:

  • U.S. Army Recruiting Command: DA3822.pdf
  • National Guard and other Army sites host the JUN 2019 version for official use.

Important: Do not use third-party fillable templates for official submissions. Download directly from Army domains and follow your local MTF or G1 guidance.

The Process: From Request to Completion

  1. Commander identifies need and submits a request (often via memorandum or HJB Form 222).
  2. Soldier is referred to behavioral health.
  3. Credentialed provider conducts the MSE.
  4. Provider completes and signs DA Form 3822.
  5. Form is returned to the commander (usually within 1 business day for CDBHE).
  6. Commander uses the information for administrative, medical, or personnel actions.

Soldiers are encouraged to be honest during the evaluation—seeking help is a sign of strength and protected under Army policy.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about DA Form 3822

  1. Q: Is DA Form 3822 the same as a full psychiatric evaluation?
    A: No. It is a focused mental status evaluation report, not a comprehensive treatment record.
  2. Q: Can I request my own DA Form 3822?
    A: Soldiers can self-refer to behavioral health, but the formal command-directed version requires commander initiation.
  3. Q: How long is the form valid?
    A: It is situation-specific; commanders should follow up with behavioral health for any changes in status.
  4. Q: Where can commanders find templates for requesting an evaluation?
    A: Check your installation’s medical command or G1 for local forms (e.g., HJB Form 222).
  5. Q: Does this form go into my permanent medical record?
    A: Yes, it becomes part of your medical documentation per AR 40-66.

Supporting Soldier Mental Health in the U.S. Army

DA Form 3822 is more than paperwork—it’s a tool that helps keep Soldiers mission-ready while connecting them to the care they need. The Army continues to emphasize behavioral health as a core component of readiness (see AR 600-92).

Resources:

  • Military OneSource (24/7 confidential support)
  • Your local Behavioral Health Clinic or Embedded Behavioral Health team
  • Army Suicide Prevention resources

If you’re a commander or Soldier needing this form, contact your unit’s medical or behavioral health provider immediately through official channels.

Need the latest official guidance? Visit armypubs.army.mil or your installation’s medical command for the most current regulations.

This article was researched and written using official U.S. Army sources, including the JUN 2019 DA Form 3822 and referenced Army Regulations, as of April 2026. Always verify with your chain of command or MTF for the most current procedures.