DA Form 4991. Declination of Continued Service Statement

The DA Form 4991, also known as the Declination of Continued Service Statement, is a document used by the United States Army to formally record the decision of an enlisted service member who chooses to decline continued military service. The primary purpose of this form is to ensure that the enlisted member has been properly informed of their obligation to serve and to provide documentation of their decision.

The form consists of several sections, including personal information such as name, rank, and social security number, as well as a statement indicating that the service member understands the consequences of their decision to decline continued service. There is also a section for the service member to provide a brief explanation of their reasons for declining continued service.

It is important for service members to carefully consider their decision before filling out this form, as it can have significant implications for their future career and benefits. In some cases, additional documentation may be required to support the service member's decision, such as a medical evaluation or counseling records.

Examples of when this form might be used include when a service member has reached the end of their contract and does not wish to re-enlist, or when a service member is facing potential disciplinary action and chooses to decline continued service instead.

Strengths of the form include its clear documentation of the service member's decision, which can help to prevent misunderstandings or disputes in the future. Weaknesses may include the potential for confusion or miscommunication if the service member does not fully understand the implications of their decision.

There are no direct alternative forms to DA Form 4991, but there are other military separation forms that serve similar purposes. These may include the DD Form 214, which provides documentation of a service member's overall military service, and the DA Form 4187, which is used to request a change in a service member's status.

Once completed, the form is typically submitted to the service member's commanding officer for review and approval. It is then stored in the service member's personnel file for future reference and may be used as a basis for decisions related to benefits, eligibility for re-enlistment, or other military-related matters.