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.
Generate ATO Appointment Memo Free →Regulation reference
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 ATO memo 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
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.
Open the Memo Generator →Other appointment memo types
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