Posted on Feb 24, 2023
Should the Army’s current temporary promotion guidance be changed?
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The current US Army temporary promotion guidance policy is to advance soldiers to the ranks of SGT/SSG without completing BLC, while those who have completed all three requirements for promotion (DLC, BLC and promotion boards) are only advanced to the rank of E4/CPL until assigned to a vacancy.
The problem is this; Soldiers who have completed only 2 of 3 requirements to attain the rank of SGT/SSG are promoted, with pay ranks and privileges, and are able to retain their rank upon completion or graduation from BLC.
However, their peers who have completed BLC, DLC and board are only promoted to the rank of CPL/E4 and either A) Cannot make points because of max points [798]; B) Dont have an assignment; C) Are not pregnant or never have been; D) Are not deployed OCONUS.
My solution is to modify the current guidance to something of the following:
Any SM who is otherwise qualified to advance to SGT, but has not completed either BLC or DLC1, and has successfully won or been selected for promotion by board, will be promoted to the rank of CPL/E4 and have all ranks, pays and privileges of such rank. Upon successful completion and graduation of BLC/DLC1 SM will be recommended to the rank of SGT/E5 and promoted IAW with regulation.
Any SM who is fully qualified to advance to the ranks of SGT/SSG and have completed the applicable PME (BLC/ALC) and DLC 1/2, and have been recommended by the board to be promoted to SGT/SSG, will receive a promotion regardless of duty position, and will receive assignment orders within 60-days to unit vacancy or transfer to unit within selected mileage (USAR less AGR).
I see this policy as a cheat code, and a good way to lose good soldiers.
What are your thoughts and what do you recommend to be done? Thoughts are welcomed, please comment below!
The problem is this; Soldiers who have completed only 2 of 3 requirements to attain the rank of SGT/SSG are promoted, with pay ranks and privileges, and are able to retain their rank upon completion or graduation from BLC.
However, their peers who have completed BLC, DLC and board are only promoted to the rank of CPL/E4 and either A) Cannot make points because of max points [798]; B) Dont have an assignment; C) Are not pregnant or never have been; D) Are not deployed OCONUS.
My solution is to modify the current guidance to something of the following:
Any SM who is otherwise qualified to advance to SGT, but has not completed either BLC or DLC1, and has successfully won or been selected for promotion by board, will be promoted to the rank of CPL/E4 and have all ranks, pays and privileges of such rank. Upon successful completion and graduation of BLC/DLC1 SM will be recommended to the rank of SGT/E5 and promoted IAW with regulation.
Any SM who is fully qualified to advance to the ranks of SGT/SSG and have completed the applicable PME (BLC/ALC) and DLC 1/2, and have been recommended by the board to be promoted to SGT/SSG, will receive a promotion regardless of duty position, and will receive assignment orders within 60-days to unit vacancy or transfer to unit within selected mileage (USAR less AGR).
I see this policy as a cheat code, and a good way to lose good soldiers.
What are your thoughts and what do you recommend to be done? Thoughts are welcomed, please comment below!
Promotions
Promotion Board
NCO Academy
Sergeant
Career Counselor
Posted 2 y ago
Responses: 6
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You have clearly articulated the process, it seems as if your primary frustration is with MOS’s aside from your own who have a lower points requirement. Points system is set in order to fill specific requirements within a given MOS, promoting Soldiers without available positions makes no sense. Soldiers have opportunities to change their MOS throughout, if they are dissatisfied with the one they are in, that includes limited promotion opportunity.
This is not just with junior NCO’s while the Senior NCOs don’t have points, they have an OML, I personally waited 24 months after selection for E8 and E9 respectively.
You sound very well versed and frustrated, I recommend you take those research skills, use the energy provided of your frustration and do what you can to fix it. You’ll not change the selection/promotion policy, but you can find a new opportunity.
This is not just with junior NCO’s while the Senior NCOs don’t have points, they have an OML, I personally waited 24 months after selection for E8 and E9 respectively.
You sound very well versed and frustrated, I recommend you take those research skills, use the energy provided of your frustration and do what you can to fix it. You’ll not change the selection/promotion policy, but you can find a new opportunity.
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SGT Bradley Dixon
Thanks for the reply and insight. I am frustrated not for myself but for others in the Army as a whole. Why are you promoting soldiers who haven’t completed the entire process ahead of those who have?
Just like you said earlier, if there are not enough points, then how can even be temporarily promoted? It makes no sense and is a wrongdoing to SMs who have already completed the entire promotion process.
I did post this to simply start a conversation, and to give light on this.
Just like you said earlier, if there are not enough points, then how can even be temporarily promoted? It makes no sense and is a wrongdoing to SMs who have already completed the entire promotion process.
I did post this to simply start a conversation, and to give light on this.
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SGT Bradley Dixon
The first use of you is not directed at you, rather a “you” as in the Army Policy.
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SFC (Join to see)
CSM, great response! I feel your pain on waiting the full 2 years to pin. It's a long, long, long time to wait. Even had to push back retirement plans due to the 2 year wait.
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CSM Darieus ZaGara
SFC (Join to see) It can be tedious and frustrating at times, in the end I am happy and proud to have served.
Thank you for yours.
Thank you for yours.
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It's a big system, with a big game, and rules and policies brought forward through lots of committees and lots of stars.
Become versed in them, and find your path of least resistance to the goals you want to achieve.
CSM already pointed it out.
Go where the opportunities are.
The higher you get in rank the less opportunity you will have to Re-Class, but those MOS's you hold as secondary might come in useful much later in your career. So stack them while you can.
Become versed in them, and find your path of least resistance to the goals you want to achieve.
CSM already pointed it out.
Go where the opportunities are.
The higher you get in rank the less opportunity you will have to Re-Class, but those MOS's you hold as secondary might come in useful much later in your career. So stack them while you can.
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SGT Bradley Dixon
Understood, but what abour Joe’s who aren’t able to reclass, being in Active Duty in the RA? In the reserves its easy, but not as simple in Compo 1. Ive been there myself, I was boxed in. No schools, no ability to promote due to max points, was unable to change MOS’ due to in and out calls being “No” for my MOS.
Again, I reiterate this is not a “me” thing, this is a conversation starter for the policy as a whole, for the Army as a whole.
Again, I reiterate this is not a “me” thing, this is a conversation starter for the policy as a whole, for the Army as a whole.
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CPT (Join to see)
SGT Bradley Dixon - One is in their most powerful career changing position when they come upon ETS.
I presume it's hard everywhere to change MOS's until one's current obligation to the current MOS is completed.
Yea, if you are in a dead end MOS, and still have like a few years left the military isn't likely to let you go to a new MOS unless you are green across the board, and in an MOS they want to reduce anyway and into an MOS they are desperate for. Which may or may not be in your best interest.
MOS's with opportunity fall into two categories in my opinion. Ones that are hard to fill with qualified personnel because they are HARD and the skill set and discipline and focus are above average. Then the MOS's the suck, but are average or easy in terms of skills needed.
The greatest bonus and promotion opportunities are going to be in the MOS's that are HARD and SUCK.
I presume it's hard everywhere to change MOS's until one's current obligation to the current MOS is completed.
Yea, if you are in a dead end MOS, and still have like a few years left the military isn't likely to let you go to a new MOS unless you are green across the board, and in an MOS they want to reduce anyway and into an MOS they are desperate for. Which may or may not be in your best interest.
MOS's with opportunity fall into two categories in my opinion. Ones that are hard to fill with qualified personnel because they are HARD and the skill set and discipline and focus are above average. Then the MOS's the suck, but are average or easy in terms of skills needed.
The greatest bonus and promotion opportunities are going to be in the MOS's that are HARD and SUCK.
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This ... Tis right here ... is why the Army needs to bring back the Specialist ranks and to utilize the CORPORAL more.
If a Soldier is NOT fully qualified but is in a leadership position waiting for some school slot or to get back from a deployment make that Soldier a CORPORAL in a leadership position.
If the Soldier is in a soft skill MOS and is not actually in a leadership position but needs to advance make them a Specialist 5 to give them the promotion and pay raise but not becoming an NCO until all the criteria are met.
If a Soldier is NOT fully qualified but is in a leadership position waiting for some school slot or to get back from a deployment make that Soldier a CORPORAL in a leadership position.
If the Soldier is in a soft skill MOS and is not actually in a leadership position but needs to advance make them a Specialist 5 to give them the promotion and pay raise but not becoming an NCO until all the criteria are met.
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SGT Bradley Dixon
I both agree and disagree. There still needs to be NCO leadership in the ranks of “Soft Skill” MOS’. I do agree that the SPC/Tech ranks and grades should be reauthorized, it would definitely solve the retention issues.
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