Unit Public Affairs Representative (UPAR) Appointment Memorandum (UPAR)

The Unit Public Affairs Representative (UPAR) appointment memorandum is an AR 25-50 compliant memorandum used to formally designate a Soldier or DA Civilian to serve as the unit's Unit Public Affairs Representative (UPAR). It documents the appointee, references AR 360-1 (The Army Public Affairs Program), and is signed by the commander.

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Regulation reference

AR 360-1 — The Army Public Affairs Program (October 2020)

Citation: para 1-9d(1)

Proponent: OCPA

Grade requirement: E-5 or O-1 minimum

Slots: As designated by commander

Memo type: MEMORANDUM FOR

When is the UPAR memo needed?

Most Army units appoint a Unit Public Affairs Representative (UPAR) (UPAR) 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 360-1 program is evaluated.

The appointment memorandum is the foundational document that establishes the appointee's authority under AR 360-1. Without a current, signed appointment memo on file, the unit's Unit Public Affairs Representative (UPAR) 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-5 or O-1 minimum, and training/certification documents matching the appointee on the memo.

On EvalMe, the UPARmemo 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 UPAR

ATIS Learning UPAR Course

System: ATIS Learning

Timing: Within 60 days of appointment

Frequency: Annual refresher

Available at https://learn.atis.army.mil. ATIS Learning replaced ALMS on 29 March 2024.

Army OPSEC Training (Level I)

System: Installation S-2

Timing: Within 60 days of appointment

Frequency: Annual

Required for coordination on releasable information per AR 530-1

Documentation required on file

Appointment memo signed by commander
ATIS Learning UPAR Course completion certificate
OPSEC training certificate
Unit social media plan (if applicable)
Coordination records with installation PAO

What inspectors look for

Verify UPAR Course completion within 60 days of appointment. Verify OPSEC training current. Review unit social media activity for compliance with AR 360-1 and AR 530-1. Verify coordination with installation PAO on news releases. Check that releasable information has been cleared.

Additional notes

Guard UPARs coordinate with state J-9 and state PAO. State active duty missions may have different PA coordination requirements.

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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 →SPPM — Suicide Prevention Program Manager (SPPM) →UVAO — Unit Voting Assistance Officer (UVAO) →ATO — Anti-terrorism Officer (ATO) →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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