SFC Private RallyPoint Member 28484 <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>How do you feel about battlefield promotions in the Army? What about someone receiving one who isn&#39;t combat Arms? Should it just be for combat Arms? I feel that some sub-standard NCOs and Soldiers are receiving them just to avoid being RCP&#39;d out. Thoughts? 2013-12-28T17:18:39-05:00 SFC Private RallyPoint Member 28484

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>How do you feel about battlefield promotions in the Army? What about someone receiving one who isn&#39;t combat Arms? Should it just be for combat Arms? I feel that some sub-standard NCOs and Soldiers are receiving them just to avoid being RCP&#39;d out. Thoughts?

2013-12-28T17:18:39-05:00 2013-12-28T17:18:39-05:00 SFC Private RallyPoint Member 28485

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Aside from my thoughts on avoiding RCP, I think that it is ridiculous to give them away for the sake of use it or lose it. I see a lot of potential favoritism being the basis for granting one. I believe that if used properly, can be a great tool for recognizing a great leader.

2013-12-28T17:21:10-05:00 2013-12-28T17:21:10-05:00 SFC Michael Hasbun 28501

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>I'm okay with them, but I feel they should be awarded only in conjunction with a Medal with valor device..

2013-12-28T17:52:18-05:00 2013-12-28T17:52:18-05:00 LTC Yinon Weiss 28511

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>If anybody receives a battlefield promotion for anything short of absolute incredible performance in the face of danger, and rather as a mechanism to reward soldiers who would otherwise not get promoted naturally, then that feels very unethical.&lt;div&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;I like the idea of merit based promotions under extraordinary circumstances, but not turning that into administrative rewards and favoritism.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;In my opinion, battlefield promotions should take place when there is a clear and present need to increase the rank of a soldier because other qualified soldiers are not available to fill that position. It seems difficult for me to imagine such circumstances existing these days. Then again, many people in the military are not familiar with how this program is working. I would love to hear some examples from people who have seen it in action. What were the circumstances?&lt;/div&gt;

2013-12-28T18:12:09-05:00 2013-12-28T18:12:09-05:00 1SG Private RallyPoint Member 28789

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>I had a Battle that is a support MOS get a battlefield promotion to SSG in 2011. How he did it, I really don't know the details besides being attach with JSOC in Afghanistan, and that my Battle was a doer. <br><br>These type of promotions should be given to the soldiers that are serving in higher positions and are doing exceptionally well in those positions. 

2013-12-29T11:10:58-05:00 2013-12-29T11:10:58-05:00 CSM Private RallyPoint Member 28863

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Battlefield promotions are a great way to recognize our service members hard work. I don't necessarily agree with Major Weiss that it should be limited to some heroic action but do acknowledge that where the opportunity presents itself it can and has been abused. Our S1 NCOIC had return stateside for deployment two months after arriving and for the remainder of the tour his replacement a SGT/P served in his capacity. She did an extraordinary job considering she didn't have a lot of experience in the Army and had never served as NCOIC before. For the next year she not only served as NCOIC but implemented several SOPs to assist the battalion in processing awards and evaluations, and was recognized with a battlefield promotion that I thought she well earned. 

2013-12-29T13:50:57-05:00 2013-12-29T13:50:57-05:00 SSgt Private RallyPoint Member 28951

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>I was first of aware of them in fact in the series Band Of Brothers where the 1SG was promoted to LT.  That was a battlefield promotion, right?

2013-12-29T17:24:49-05:00 2013-12-29T17:24:49-05:00 SSG Private RallyPoint Member 29502

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>I like what a battlefield promotion should stand for but unfortunately I've seen them used just in the way you pointed out. They were wasted on NCO's or Specialists nearing their RCP. If they were substandard performers then chances they still are and one can only hope the draw down in the military rights those wrongs. Regardless those promotions were wasted and in my opinion waste money paying some of those individuals. For those that truly deserved and received battlefield promotions you should be proud. That should be like being a Distinguished honor graduate. You have clearly stood apart from your peers.

2013-12-30T15:33:14-05:00 2013-12-30T15:33:14-05:00 1LT Private RallyPoint Member 29531

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>As far as I can remember battlefield promotions during GWOT, our company was basically told that the battalion had X slots and that they wanted packets at S-1 so the CSM and BC could pick the best qualified for SPC to SGT and SGT to SSG.<br><br>The modern iteration for NCOs was designed to recognize the awesome high performers whose MOS and the point system meant that they would not get promoted ahead of their less awesome peers because they didn't have the opportunity to attend college, get easy AAMs/COAs, and cheat on the ACCP.<br><br>As far as combat arms:  Why?  Looking at the promotion point trend report for combat arms, the points and promotions rates are not what's keeping a repeat deployer from making SGT or SSG.<br><br>Now, let's talk about recommissioning (on indefinite hiatus) and valorous promotions.  Those should exist and be based on battlefield valor and/or performance under arduous circumstances in a position of greater authority than the paygrade states.  Have it approved by the first GO in the CoC or the Army G-1, whoever can control manpower-rank inflation best.

2013-12-30T17:14:25-05:00 2013-12-30T17:14:25-05:00 SFC Private RallyPoint Member 186262

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Battlefield promotion for the wrong NCO is just as bad as Slick Sleeve promotion up the ranks. Standing at "Parade Rest" to someone who forgot their Combat patch is insulting to me, especially when we have the same TIS. I digress, Battlefield promotions shouldn't be restricted only to Combat NCO's, if you have a support SGT doing a great job in a SSG position why not get him what he deserves. Giving it to prevent RCP is trash, there is a reason they haven't been promoted in their time.

2014-07-25T16:05:36-04:00 2014-07-25T16:05:36-04:00 SGT Kristin Wiley 202802

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>I think they are being abused by leadership to promote their 'favorites' while deployed. There isn't enough oversight on the capabilities of individuals selected for battlefield promotions. I can understand this more in a combat-related MOS.

2014-08-13T15:38:03-04:00 2014-08-13T15:38:03-04:00 MSG Private RallyPoint Member 563683

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>What does not being Combat Arms have to do with getting a battlefield promotion?

2015-03-31T14:17:57-04:00 2015-03-31T14:17:57-04:00 SSG Michael O'Malley 816072

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>I was awarded a BP in 2009 from SPC to SGT. The reason I received one is I was a last second replacement for a SGT in an aviation medical unit. Part way thru the deployment the section NCOIC (SSG) went down with an injury and I had to step up and fill that role as well. As a result the Flight Surgeon recommended me for an award but it was turned down in blue of the Brigade Commanders recommendation for a BP.<br />The process took 6 months and included Sworn statements from others in the unit as well as tons of paperwork. I am sure not all of the BP go thru this since the Army G1 delegates the promotion authority to many individuals as they rotate in and out of tours of duty and location.

2015-07-15T08:23:03-04:00 2015-07-15T08:23:03-04:00 SFC David Ocasio 816097

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>I truly believe that if a Soldier is holding a certain position for at least 6 months he or she should automatically be promoted to that rank. I have seen many good soldiers get passed over for 1sg when they have held that position for many months if not at least for 1 year.<br /> What that tells me is that if they are capable of doing the job and their NCOER reflects it then it should be automatically granted. In the past Battlefield promotions were given due to their expertise and lack of personnel who could fill in the rank or position.

2015-07-15T08:29:54-04:00 2015-07-15T08:29:54-04:00 SGT Kristin Wiley 816128

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>The ability for battlefield promotions to be abused in today's military is too great. The only time I've seen battlefield promotions in my career was due to a 'favorite' soldier and not a well-performing soldier. The soldier who got promoted was terrible at their job and spent most of the time brown nosing and giving their leaders gifts. This solder was dating an NCO in their chain of command, and spent most of the time breaking the rules down range. Despite reporting this unethical behavior, the soldier was given a battlefield promotion over a plethora of better choices and their poor behavior was never addressed.

2015-07-15T08:45:13-04:00 2015-07-15T08:45:13-04:00 MAJ Ed Taylor 4885335

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Reading the comments, I’m a little confused on what’s being called a battlefield promotion. The term is supposed to used when an individual is promoted “on a battlefield” and put in charge to accomplish a specific mission or task. What I’m reading confuses that with a “needs of the service” promotion, where an individual performing tasks that are normally done by a higher rank is promoted to recognize his performance of duty at that higher rank. The former is GENERALLY someone in combat arms promoted on the spot by a Commander. The latter can be ANYONE in theater whose chain of command recommends promotion based on performance.

2019-08-05T18:56:21-04:00 2019-08-05T18:56:21-04:00 SPC Shawn Durnen 4913632

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Do it

2019-08-13T23:39:56-04:00 2019-08-13T23:39:56-04:00 2013-12-28T17:18:39-05:00