Anti-terrorism Officer (ATO) Appointment Memorandum (ATO)

The Anti-terrorism Officer (ATO) appointment memorandum is an AR 25-50 compliant memorandum used to formally designate a Soldier or DA Civilian to serve as the unit's Anti-terrorism Officer (ATO). It documents the appointee, references AR 525-13 (Antiterrorism), and is signed by the commander.

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Regulation reference

AR 525-13 — Antiterrorism (11 September 2008)

Proponent: OPMG

Grade requirement: E-6 or O-2 typical for unit; O-3 for battalion

Slots: Primary required

Memo type: MEMORANDUM FOR

When is the ATO memo needed?

Most Army units appoint a Anti-terrorism Officer (ATO) (ATO) when a new commander takes charge, when the previous appointee PCSes, ETSes, or is reassigned, or when the unit's mission set changes in a way that requires renewed appointment. The memo is also required for unit inspections — including CIP, CCIR, and command climate reviews — where the AR 525-13 program is evaluated.

The appointment memorandum is the foundational document that establishes the appointee's authority under AR 525-13. Without a current, signed appointment memo on file, the unit's Anti-terrorism Officer (ATO) program is non-compliant — even if the appointee has all required training certificates. Inspectors will look for: a signed memo with current date, a grade that meets E-6 or O-2 typical for unit; O-3 for battalion, and training/certification documents matching the appointee on the memo.

On EvalMe, the ATOmemo is one of 39 AR 25-50 templates that auto-cites the correct regulation, uses the proper format, and integrates with your unit's address book and signature blocks.

Required training for ATO

Level II ATO Training

System: DCSA CDSE

Course #: GS109.16

Timing: BEFORE assuming ATO duties

Frequency: Initial certification

Available at https://www.cdse.edu/Training/eLearning/GS109/

Antiterrorism Officer Basic Course (ATOBC)

System: USAMPS Fort Leonard Wood

Duration: 5 days, 40-hour resident

Timing: Recommended for battalion+ ATOs

Frequency: Initial

Recommended but not required for all ATOs

Documentation required on file

Appointment memo signed by commander
Level II ATO training certificate
ATOBC certificate (if attended)
Unit Antiterrorism Plan
Force Protection Condition (FPCON) measures by level
AT vulnerability assessments
Level I AT Awareness Training roster for all assigned personnel

What inspectors look for

Verify ATO appointment current. Verify Level II ATO training certificate. Review unit AT Plan. Verify FPCON measures defined for all levels. Check Level I AT Awareness annual training compliance. Review most recent vulnerability assessment. Verify coordination with installation Antiterrorism Officer (IATO).

Additional notes

ATIS Training replaced DTMS on 15 November 2025 for training documentation. ARNG units coordinate with state J-3/J-7. Guard armories have unique AT considerations given limited daily presence — coordination with local law enforcement common.

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EvalMe drafts AR 25-50 compliant appointment memorandums with the correct regulation citation, address block, and signature line — free, no credit card.

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Other appointment memo types

UPL — Unit Prevention Leader →USO — Unit Safety Officer →OPSEC — OPSEC Officer / Program Manager →EOL — Equal Opportunity Leader →CBRN — CBRN Defense Officer and CBRN NCO →UMO — Unit Movement Officer →ARMORER — Arms Room NCOIC / Unit Armorer →KEY-LOCK — Key and Lock Custodian →PSO — Physical Security Officer →CSM-SEC — Command Security Manager →CLASS-CUST — Classified Document Custodian →MAINT-O — Maintenance Officer →DISPATCH — Dispatcher →FST — Field Sanitation Team →FSO — Food Service Officer →UECO — Unit Environmental Compliance Officer →FEC — Facility Environmental Coordinator →PMC — Unit Self-Help Pest Management Coordinator →ATIS_TRAIN_ADMIN — ATIS Training Administrator (formerly DTMS Administrator) →HRH — Hand Receipt Holder / Primary Hand Receipt Holder →HAZ-CERT — Hazardous Cargo Certifier →URSO — Unit Radiation Safety Officer →ASO — Aviation Safety Officer →OIC-RSO — Range OIC and Range Safety Officer →CFR — Command Family Readiness Representative →GPC_CARDHOLDER — Government Purchase Card (GPC) Cardholder →UPAR — Unit Public Affairs Representative (UPAR) →SPPM — Suicide Prevention Program Manager (SPPM) →UVAO — Unit Voting Assistance Officer (UVAO) →TRAINING_OFFICER — Training Officer / NCO →SHARP — SHARP — Sexual Harassment/Assault Response and Prevention Program →RECORDS_COORD — Records Coordinator / Records Manager / Records Administrator →MAIL_CLERK — Mail Clerk / Mail Orderly / Official Mail Manager →HPO — Hearing Program Officer (HPO) →FIRE_WARDEN — Fire Warden / Building Manager / Evacuation Coordinator →COMSEC_CUSTODIAN — COMSEC Custodian →ENERGY_MGR — Installation Energy Manager / Energy Conservation Officer →CRIME_PREV — Crime Prevention Officer / NCO →

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