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Human Resources, Pay, Taxes and Finances

Congratulatory Retirement Letters

Published: 09/02/21 | Updated: 09/23/21

Eligible retiring DOD civilian employees and military members may request a Presidential Congratulatory Retirement Letter and/or Secretary of Defense Congratulatory Retirement Letter.

For a Presidential letter, requesters must have at least 30 years of combined military and federal service. For a Secretary of Defense letter, requesters must have at least 25 years of combined military and federal service.

The process and package templates for requesting these letters are found on Executive Services Directorate Correspondence Division website, in the Downloadable Template section. 

Request packages should be submitted electronically.  Instructions for submitting Presidential Appreciation Letters can be found at https://www.esd.whs.mil/CMD/ploa/

Completed Secretary of Defense letter requests are emailed to whs.pentagon.esd.mbx.white-house-suspense-desk@mail.mil.