Department of Defense
INSTRUCTION
NUMBER 1310.02
March 26, 2015
USD(P&R)
SUBJECT: Original Appointment of Officers
References: See Enclosure 1
1. PURPOSE. In accordance with the authority in DoD Directive (DoDD) 5124.02 (Reference
(a)), this instruction reissues DoD Instruction (DoDI) 1310.02 (Reference (b)) to establish policy,
assign responsibilities, and provide procedures for the original appointment of individuals,
enlisted members, and officers as Regular or Reserve commissioned or warrant officers in or to
the grades O-6 and below, pursuant to sections 531, 571(b), 12203, 12211, 12212, and 12241(b)
of Title 10, United States Code (U.S.C.) (Reference (c)).
2. APPLICABILITY. This instruction applies to:
a. OSD, the Military Departments, the Office of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
and the Joint Staff, the Combatant Commands, the Office of the Inspector General of the
Department of Defense, the Defense Agencies, the DoD Field Activities, and all other
organizational entities within the DoD (referred to collectively in this instruction as the “DoD
Components”).
b. All original appointment actions involving individuals, enlisted members, or officers
appointed on an active-duty list (ADL) or a Reserve active-status list (RASL) of the Military
Services in or to the grades of O-6 and below, with the exception of Enclosure 3, which applies
to all Regular or Reserve officer appointment actions in or to the grades of O-10 and below.
3. POLICY. It is DoD policy that:
a. Generally, only those individuals, enlisted members, and officers who have clearly
demonstrated the potential for full military careers will be appointed as military officers.
b. Each Military Service will use an effective and impartial system to identify and select for
appointment as military officers qualified persons who possess the skills necessary to meet the
needs of the Military Service.
