DA Form 7632 DARAD: 2026 Guide & PDF Download – U.S. Army commanders, safety professionals, munitions handlers, and explosive safety officers rely on DA Form 7632—the Deviation Approval and Risk Acceptance Document (DARAD)—to document and formally accept risks when operations must deviate from strict ammunition and explosives (AE) or chemical agent safety standards. This form ensures mission-critical activities continue safely while maintaining accountability and compliance with Army risk management policy.
Whether you manage an ammunition holding area, prepare an Explosives Safety Site Plan (ESSP), or support time-sensitive operations, understanding DA Form 7632 is essential. This guide covers everything you need: what the form is, when to use it, how to complete it, required supporting documents, approval authorities, and the official downloadable PDF.
What Is DA Form 7632 (DARAD)?
DA Form 7632, titled Deviation Approval and Risk Acceptance Document (DARAD), is a four-page automated form prescribed by Department of the Army Pamphlet (DA PAM) 385-30, Risk Management (2 December 2014, with instructions still current in 2025–2026 guidance).
It serves as the official Army tool to:
- Document intentional deviations from DoD, DA, or service-specific explosives/chemical safety standards.
- Perform a structured risk assessment.
- Obtain formal risk acceptance at the appropriate command level.
Note: While most Army risk assessments use DD Form 2977 (Deliberate Risk Assessment Worksheet), DA Form 7632 is mandatory for any deviation involving ammunition and explosives (AE) or chemical agents. It may also document other safety deviations.
The form replaced earlier Certificate of Risk Acceptance (CoRA) and legacy waiver/exemption processes. It integrates directly into the Army’s five-step risk management process (identify hazards → assess → develop controls → implement → supervise/evaluate).
When Is DA Form 7632 Required?
Use DA Form 7632 whenever your operation, facility, or storage site cannot meet required safety standards, such as:
- Quantity-Distance (QD) arcs or separation distances.
- Explosives Safety Site Plan (ESSP) requirements.
- Ammunition and explosives safety standards in DA PAM 385-64 or DoDM 6055.09-M.
- Chemical agent safety protocols.
Common scenarios include:
- Temporary storage or operations in non-compliant magazines or areas while awaiting a new ESSP.
- Mission-essential activities that exceed allowable net explosive weight (NEW) limits or violate compatibility rules.
- Construction, renovation, or operational changes affecting explosives safety.
It is not a substitute for routine risk assessments—only for formal deviations that require senior-level risk acceptance.
Key Regulations Governing DA Form 7632
- DA PAM 385-30 → Primary prescribing publication (Appendix C contains detailed fill instructions).
- AR 385-10 → The Army Safety Program (establishes risk management policy).
- DA PAM 385-64 → Ammunition and Explosives Safety Standards.
- DoDM 6055.09-M → DoD Explosives Safety and Security Standards (referenced on the form).
- Garrison and command-specific Explosives Safety Management Programs (ESMP).
All deviations must support a compelling operational or strategic reason and include a plan to return to full compliance.
How to Complete DA Form 7632? (Step-by-Step Overview)
DA Form 7632 is fillable and automated (many fields auto-populate). Complete it in this order:
- Page 1 – Site/Deviation Information & Approval Signatures
- Location details (country, state, installation, site type).
- Deviation number (UIC-type-year-month-day-sequence).
- Standard violated (exact paragraph from DA PAM 385-64, DoDM, etc.).
- Type of deviation (Event Waiver ≤1 month, Waiver, Exemption, or Secretarial Certification).
- Operational reason and potential consequences.
- Page 2 – Risk Assessment Worksheet
- Describe current situation and specific hazard.
- Duration of deviation.
- Mission impact if risk is not accepted.
- Control measures (with milestones).
- Permanent corrective actions and timeline.
- Residual risk level (severity + probability).
- Pages 3–4 – Ammunition and Explosives Supplemental Worksheet (required for AE/chemical cases)
- Potential Explosion Site (PES) details, NEW by hazard division.
- Exposed Sites (ES) analysis: required vs. actual distances, personnel exposure, equipment/facility value, and calculated losses.
- Use approved tools like ASAP-X for calculations.
Pro Tip: Always attach supporting documentation (see below). Route through the chain of command for coordination with exposed units and higher headquarters before final approval.
Detailed block-by-block instructions appear in Appendix C of DA PAM 385-30.
Required Supporting Documentation
Every DA Form 7632 package must include:
- Maps or diagrams showing hazard areas, QD arcs, and downwind hazard zones (preferably unclassified).
- Timeline with milestones to eliminate the deviation.
- Cost estimates and project numbers for permanent fixes (if applicable).
- Any additional technical analyses or coordination memos.
Failure to include these will delay approval.
Risk Acceptance Authority (Who Can Sign?)
Approval level depends on residual risk and deviation duration (per Table 4-1 in DA PAM 385-30):
| Risk Level | Event Waiver (≤1 mo) | Waiver (1 mo–1 yr) | Waiver (1–5 yrs) | Exemption/Permanent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Extremely High | GO/CG | Army HQ CG | Army HQ CG | Army HQ CG |
| High | Brig CO/O-6 | GO | GO | Army HQ CG |
| Medium | Batt CO/O-5 | Brig CO/O-6 | GO | Army HQ CG |
| Low | Co CO/O-3 | Batt CO/O-5 | Brig CO/O-6 | Brigade CO/O-6 |
Civilian equivalents (SES/GS grades) are listed in Table 4-2. Authority is delegable one level lower in some cases.
Why DA Form 7632 Matters for U.S. Army Readiness
The DARAD process balances safety with mission accomplishment. It ensures:
- Residual risk is knowingly accepted at the right level.
- Corrective actions are tracked and completed.
- Lessons learned improve future Explosives Safety Site Plans.
Proper use prevents accidents while enabling critical training, storage, and operational flexibility.
Official DA Form 7632 PDF Download
Download the current fillable DA Form 7632 directly from the U.S. Army Publishing Directorate:
Download DA FORM 7632 – Deviation Approval and Risk Acceptance Document (DARAD)
Always use the latest e-file version from armypubs.army.mil for official submissions.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Is DA Form 7632 the same as a waiver? A: It replaces and formalizes the old waiver/exemption process with structured risk acceptance.
Q: Can I use it for non-AE deviations? A: Yes, though it is mandatory only for AE/chemical agent deviations.
Q: How long is a DARAD valid? A: Depends on the type—event waivers are short-term; exemptions are longer but require periodic review.
Q: Where do I get help completing the form? A: Contact your garrison safety office or USATCES (U.S. Army Technical Center for Explosives Safety).
Conclusion
DA Form 7632 (DARAD) is a critical tool in the U.S. Army’s risk management toolkit. By properly documenting deviations from explosives safety standards, leaders protect personnel and property while keeping missions on track. Always reference DA PAM 385-30 for complete guidance and use the official form linked above.
Need the form for an upcoming ESSP, storage license, or operational deviation? Download it today and coordinate early with your safety office to ensure smooth approval.