Command Approval FAQs

1. I see that Command approval is required as part of the assistance review when DoD-affiliated personnel are planned for recruitment. Who can provide this approval?
 
Command approval is generally provided by the Commander or Director of the DoD/DA institution that is conducting, supporting, or assisting the HSR activity.
 
Military and civilian supervisors, and others in the chain of command may be able to provide Command approval as long as the individual providing Command approval has authority, direction, and control over the target population and/or DoD facility for which the Command approval is being provided.
 
2. I am going to be recruiting personnel at several different DoD installations, who should provide Command approval in this case?
 
If DoD-affiliated personnel are recruited across multiple units or commands, multiple letters documenting Command approval may be required.
 
When seeking Command approval, investigators should consider what level of leadership the target population reports. If DoD-affiliated personnel are recruited across multiple units or commands, multiple memos may be required. However, if an investigator obtains Command approval from a Commander or Director that has authority, direction, and control of multiple units, a single letter may be sufficient.