What is the purpose of endorsements in official correspondence?

• A. A form used to request a travel voucher.
• B. Additions or comments on a previously forwarded correspondence, often to provide approval/disapproval or recommendations.
• C. A memorandum documenting decisions within commands.
• D. A type of external business letter.

Answer: (B)

Endorsements are the formal way a reviewing official adds input to a previously forwarded item, giving clear direction on what action to take. They are additions or comments that express approval, disapproval, or a recommendation, and they explain or justify the preferred disposition. This makes the decision-making process transparent, shows who reviewed the document, and tells the originator exactly what to do next. The endorsement thus channels authority through the chain of command and ensures the item moves forward with a defined outcome.