Download DA Form 7273 PDF – Oral History Access Agreement – If you are a US Army historian, unit historical officer, veteran, or researcher participating in the Army’s oral history program, DA Form 7273 is the essential document you need. Officially titled Access Agreement for Oral History Materials, this form ensures that recordings, transcripts, photographs, and other materials from oral history interviews become official US Government property for historical preservation and use.
The form is prescribed by AR 870-5, Military History: Responsibilities, Policies, and Procedures (current as of the 16 September 2021 revision), and the proponent agency is the U.S. Army Center of Military History (CMH). It protects both the interviewee and the Army while enabling public access to valuable first-person accounts of military events, leadership, operations, and Army life.
What Is DA Form 7273 and Why Does It Matter?
DA Form 7273 (dated May 2015; previous editions obsolete) is the standardized Access Agreement for Oral History Materials used across the US Army. It is required for every oral history interview conducted under Army regulations.
Principal purpose (per the form’s Privacy Act Statement):
- To obtain historical information focusing on persons, events, and topics of historical interest to the U.S. Army.
- Authority: Title 10, U.S. Code § 3013 and AR 870-5.
Without a completed DA Form 7273, oral history materials cannot be properly archived, used in official publications, museum exhibits, training materials, or made available to researchers and the public. The form transfers ownership to the Army while giving the interviewee the right to review and edit the transcript (subject to classification) and retaining limited personal use rights.
Key benefits for US service members and historians:
- Preserves firsthand accounts that official records often miss (e.g., “fog of war” details from operations in Panama, Iraq, Afghanistan, and beyond).
- Supports the Army Historical Program, unit histories, and the Center of Military History.
- Ensures compliance with the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), Privacy Act, and DA Information Security Program.
Who Needs to Complete DA Form 7273?
- Interviewees (soldiers, veterans, civilians with Army experience)
- Interviewers (Army historians, unit historical officers, Military History Detachments)
- Anyone participating in official Army oral history programs, including those documented in the US Army Guide to Oral History
The form is signed before the interview begins, after the interviewer explains the process and any classification issues.
Complete Text & Key Provisions of DA Form 7273 (May 2015)
Here is the core language from the official form:
- The interviewee voluntarily participates in an oral history conducted by [interviewer name/agency] on specific date(s).
- The interviewee may choose not to answer specific questions and may end the interview at any time.
- Recordings, transcripts, photographs, and any resulting materials belong to the U.S. Government and may be used in any manner deemed in the best interests of the U.S. Army (by the Chief of Military History or designee).
- Materials may be made available to the public (“on the record”) subject to FOIA, Privacy Act, and security restrictions.
- The interviewee expressly and voluntarily relinquishes all rights and interests in the materials to the U.S. Army with no expectation of compensation and no basis for future claims. Personal use is still allowed (subject to security restrictions).
Signatures required:
- Interviewee (name, date)
- Accepted on behalf of the U.S. Army by (name/title, date)
Step-by-Step: How to Fill Out DA Form 7273?
- Download the official blank form (link below).
- Fill in the interviewee’s name.
- Enter the interviewer’s name and agency.
- List the interview date(s).
- The interviewee reviews and signs (they can ask questions first).
- The Army representative (usually the interviewer or designated official) signs on behalf of the U.S. Army.
- Keep the original with the oral history materials and provide a copy to the interviewee if requested.
The form is straightforward—one page, fillable PDF. No separate instructions pamphlet exists; the form itself and AR 870-5 provide all guidance.
Official DA Form 7273 PDF Download (Direct from Army Publishing Directorate)
✅ Download the latest official version here:
https://armypubs.army.mil/pub/eforms/DR_a/pdf/DA%20FORM%207273.pdf
This is the MAY 2015 edition (APD LC v1.00) directly from armypubs.army.mil – always use the official source to ensure compliance.
Related Resources for US Army Oral History Programs
- US Army Guide to Oral History (history.army.mil) – Best practices, equipment lists, interview techniques, and sample abstracts.
- AR 870-5 (16 Sep 2021) – Full regulation governing all Army historical activities.
- Army Heritage and Education Center (AHEC) and unit historical officers for support.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is DA Form 7273 still current in 2026?
Yes. The May 2015 version remains the approved form with no newer edition listed on Army Publishing Directorate sites.
Can I edit the transcript after signing?
Yes – the Army provides an opportunity to review and edit for clarity/accuracy (subject to classification).
Does signing mean the interview becomes public immediately?
No. Release is subject to FOIA, Privacy Act, and security reviews. The interview is “on the record,” but the Army controls access.
Is the form voluntary?
Yes. Disclosure is voluntary, but failure to provide the information may prevent participation in the official Army oral history program.
Why This Form Matters for America’s Military Heritage?
DA Form 7273 ensures that the voices of America’s soldiers—from World War II veterans to today’s warfighters—are preserved accurately and legally for future generations. It balances individual rights with the Army’s mission to document history.
Whether you are conducting interviews for a unit history, contributing as a veteran, or researching Army operations, start with the official DA Form 7273.
Ready to get started? Download the form today and preserve your story for the Army and the nation.