DA 6: Duty Roster
The JUL 1974 duty roster: nature of duty, organization, dates, and the grade/name grid where each day records days since last duty or the A, D, and U status letters.
Every block on the DA Form 6
Laid out block for block like the official DUTY ROSTER (JUL 1974 edition), with the instruction for each block. Name, rank, and unit prefill from your service profile.
Form details
- Nature of Duty
- Organization
- From (Date)
- To (Date)
- Month
The month written above the day columns. The paper form has 40 date columns, so a roster can run past the end of a month.
- Grade, Name, and Day
In each day's column enter the number of days since the Soldier last performed this duty. Letters (AR 220-45): A = absent or not available for an authorized reason not due to misconduct (leave, pass, special duty, TDY, sick in line of duty); the count stops. D = eligible but not available because of another detail or duty; the count continues. U = unavailable through own misconduct (AWOL, arrest, confinement, sick not in line of duty); the count continues.
How to fill out the DA Form 6
Keeps duty details (CQ, staff duty, guard, details) fair and transparent: the Soldier who has gone longest without the duty is detailed next. When: Start a roster for each type of duty and keep it current every day details are made. Consolidated weekday, weekend, and holiday rosters are used whenever practicable (AR 220-45).
Step by step
- Enter the nature of duty, the organization, and the from and to dates the roster covers.
- Write the month above the day columns and the day numbers under it. Dates are entered only for days when details are made.
- List eligible Soldiers by grade and name (the order is usually by grade, then alphabetical).
- Each day, enter each Soldier's number of days since last performing the duty. The Soldier with the highest number is detailed; after the detail, their count starts over.
- Use the letters instead of a number when a Soldier can't be detailed: A, D, or U (see the grid help).
What a strong one looks like
- Carry forward each Soldier's number from the previous roster so nobody is reset by a new page.
- When two Soldiers have the same number, detail the junior one first unless your SOP says otherwise, and be consistent.
- Post the roster where Soldiers can see it; transparency prevents most complaints.
Common mistakes
- Skipping someone because they're "always busy" without marking A or D.
- Restarting everyone at zero on a new month.
- Mixing different duties on one roster.