How a Letter of Reprimand Impacts Your Army Career

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We recently had a former Army Sergeant email us about a Letter of Reprimand he received almost a year ago. The Sergeant was accused of unprofessional behavior, and when he received his Letter of Reprimand, he elected not to submit a written response. He figured it was no big deal and that he’d be able to move on. But that’s not what happened. Instead, he faced a number of adverse impacts on his career, and there was little we could do to help at that point. That’s why it is so important that you understand the impacts a Letter of Reprimand can have and that you take the steps necessary to properly respond if you receive one.

What is a Letter of Reprimand?

A Letter of Reprimand (LOR) is an administrative warning or “chewing out” given to a soldier for a failure to comply with established standards. A LOR may be filed either locally or in your permanent personnel file. LORs are considered “Unfavorable Information” and are controlled by AR 600-37, Chapter 3.

How can a Letter of Reprimand impact my career?

First and foremost, a Letter of Reprimand comes with its own negative stigma. It is likely that your command, and your immediate leadership, will have a negative impression of you that you will have to overcome. LORs often involve allegations of unprofessional behavior, and you will have to work hard to recover from a LOR.

Beyond the stigma associated with a LOR, it can end up as part of your military record in two ways:

• A Letter of Reprimand can be filed in your Military Personnel Records Jacket (MPRJ). This is considered a “locally filed” LOR. When a LOR is locally filed, it can be seen by the Soldier’s chain of command, but not by a promotion board, and it will be removed after a change of duty station or after three years, whichever is sooner.
• A Letter of Reprimand can also be filed in your Army Military Human Resource Record (AMHRR), also known as your OMPF. This is considered a “permanently filed” LOR. When a LOR is permanently filed, it can be reviewed by Army Human Resources Command (HRC) and promotion boards. A permanently filed LOR will remain in the AMHRR for the duration of the Soldier’s career unless it is appealed for removal or transferred to the restricted portion of the AMHRR. When a LOR is “permanently filed,” it impacts your eligibility for promotion and advancement. It will also negatively impact your opportunities for a change of station, reenlistment, training, and temporary duty.

Bottom line — whether locally filed or permanently filed, a Letter of Reprimand can negatively impact your career for years to come.

What should I do if I receive an Army Letter of Reprimand?

If you receive a Letter of Reprimand, you have the opportunity to respond. We recommend that you spend the time to write a comprehensive response, highlighting the accomplishments of your career and explaining your side of the story. Although we are not lawyers, and cannot provide legal advice, the former military officers at Military Justice Guides have developed a proven template for drafting and submitting a persuasive and professional response. You can purchase that product here:

Army LOR Response Template

Our LOR Response Template is written by experienced military officers. When you purchase this template, you will be able to download and get started!

$25.00

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