DA Form 3739: Application for Compassionate Actions
DA Form 3739 is how a soldier asks the Army for a compassionate action, such as reassignment or deletion or deferment from orders, because of severe personal or family problems.
This is the genuine Army PDF, unmodified. Source: Army official page.
What is DA Form 3739?
DA Form 3739, Application for Compassionate Actions, is the application a soldier submits when extreme family problems, such as a serious illness or hardship involving a family member, justify asking for reassignment to a different location or for deletion or deferment from assignment instructions. The application explains the problem, what action is requested, and why other solutions will not work.
The current edition on Army Publishing Directorate is dated June 2025, with the Army G-1 as proponent. The three page form collects the soldier's service data, details of the family situation, the specific action requested, supporting statements, and command endorsements. Applications are decided under the assignment regulations that govern compassionate actions, and supporting documentation from doctors or other professionals is normally required.
Who files DA Form 3739?
- Soldiers requesting compassionate reassignment to be near a family member with a serious problem
- Soldiers asking for deletion or deferment from assignment orders due to family hardship
- Commanders endorsing a soldier's compassionate action request
- Unit personnel staff preparing and routing compassionate applications
How to fill out DA Form 3739
- Complete the personal and service data sections with your identification, unit, and assignment information.
- Describe the family problem in detail, including who is affected, the nature of the problem, and when it began.
- State the specific action requested, such as reassignment to a named location or deferment from orders, and explain why it would resolve the problem.
- Attach supporting documents, such as medical statements from attending physicians, that substantiate the problem.
- Sign the application and submit it through your chain of command; your unit forwards the endorsed packet to the approval authority for decision.
Quick fill DA Form 3739 on this page
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Frequently asked questions
What situations qualify for a compassionate action?
Generally the problem must be severe, recent or worsened since the soldier's current assignment, and not resolvable through leave or other means, and the soldier's presence must be essential. Typical examples involve serious illness of an immediate family member. The governing assignment regulations define the criteria, so review them with your career counselor or S1 before applying.
Does submitting DA Form 3739 stop my orders?
No. Submitting an application does not by itself delay or cancel assignment instructions. Unless you are officially notified that the action is approved or your orders are changed, you must continue to comply with them.
What documentation should I attach?
Statements from the professionals involved in the problem, such as the attending physician for a medical hardship, plus any other evidence that substantiates the situation. Weak or missing documentation is a common reason applications are disapproved.