Army Regulation AR 25-50 Preparing and Managing Correspondence establishes three forms of correspondence authorized for use within the Army: a letter, a memorandum, and a message.

This regulation applies to the Active Army, the Army National Guard/Army National Guard of the United States, and the U.S. Army Reserve, unless otherwise stated.

The proponent of this regulation is the Administrative Assistant to the Secretary of the Army. The proponent has the authority to approve exceptions or waivers to this regulation that are consistent with controlling law and regulations. The proponent may delegate this approval authority, in writing, to members of the Senior Executive Service within the proponent agency. Activities may request an exception or waiver to this regulation by providing justification that includes a full analysis of the expected benefits and a formal review by the activity’s senior legal officer. All requests for exceptions or waivers will be endorsed by the commander or senior leader of the requesting activity and forwarded through their higher headquarters to the proponent. Refer to AR 25–30 for specific guidance.

Chapter 1 – Preparing Correspondence

Chapter 2 – Preparing Memorandums

Chapter 3 – Preparing Letters

Chapter 4 – Listing Enclosures, Placing Tabs, and Assembling Correspondence

Chapter 5 – Processing Correspondence and Official Mail

Chapter 6 – Preparing Authority Lines, Signatures, and Signature Blocks

Chapter 7 – Using Prescribed Forms and Labels

Chapter 8 – Marking Classified Correspondence

Appendix A – References

Appendix B – Titles and Protocol Sequence

Appendix C – Forms of Address, Salutation, and Complimentary Close

Appendix D – Model Authority Lines and Signature Blocks

Appendix E – Preparing Mass Mailings

Appendix F – Internal Control Evaluation

Glossary