Unit Prevention Leader Appointment Memorandum (UPL)

The Unit Prevention Leader 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 Prevention Leader. It documents the appointee, references AR 600-85 (The Army Substance Abuse Program), and is signed by the commander.

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Regulation reference

AR 600-85 — The Army Substance Abuse Program (23 July 2020)

Citation: para 2-29c

Proponent: G1

Grade requirement: Officer or NCO (E-5 or above)

Slots: Primary + Alternate (1 UPL only if unit has 20 or fewer Soldiers)

Memo type: MEMORANDUM FOR

When is the UPL memo needed?

Most Army units appoint a Unit Prevention Leader (UPL) 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 600-85 program is evaluated.

The appointment memorandum is the foundational document that establishes the appointee's authority under AR 600-85. Without a current, signed appointment memo on file, the unit's Unit Prevention Leader 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 Officer or NCO (E-5 or above), and training/certification documents matching the appointee on the memo.

On EvalMe, the UPLmemo 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 UPL

ASAP Unit Prevention Leader Certification Course

System: Installation ASAP Office

Duration: 40 hours

Timing: Must complete prior to or within 30 days of appointment

Frequency: Annual recertification required

Coordinated through your installation Army Substance Abuse Program office. Certificate required — keep on file. Copy to ASAP office.

Documentation required on file

Appointment orders signed by commander
UPL certification certificate (40-hour course)
Annual recertification certificate
Copy of cert provided to installation ASAP office

What inspectors look for

Inspector will verify appointment memo, grade of appointee (E-5 or above), and certification. Units with 20 or fewer Soldiers assigned require only 1 trained UPL.

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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

EOL — Equal Opportunity Leader →CFR — Command Family Readiness Representative →USO — Unit Safety Officer →OPSEC — OPSEC Officer / Program Manager →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 →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) →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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