In what form may transfer orders directing temporary additional duty (TAD) be issued?

• A. Letter or message form
• B. Verbal only
• C. Email only
• D. Official memorandum only

Answer: (A)

Transfer orders directing temporary additional duty must be issued in written form so there is an official, traceable record of the assignment. A letter or official message provides the necessary documentation of who is being reassigned, the location, start and end dates, reporting instructions, and the authority issuing the order. This written format ensures clarity, accountability, and a reliable paper trail for enforcement and future reference. Verbal only lacks verifiability and can be easily misremembered, email only may not meet formal command procedures or be reliably secured, and an official memorandum alone is too narrow to cover all the dissemination channels used for such orders. Using a letter or message form balances formality with proper distribution within the chain of command.