How do you avoid going to USASMA under new promotion system while the up and out rules apply?

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 15 Sep 2020 09:10:19 -0400

For those unaware the Army last year transitioned to a new NCO promotion system that ties more into the STEP program. However, one of the problems for people in my position is that you can no longer opt out of promotion. Up and out rules say go to school or get out. I have zero desire to be a SGM/CSM but also at my current TIS would be required to separate from Army before reaching 20 years TIS. This is silly! I would’ve chosen a different path if I would’ve known this was to happen. There was no offered grace period to us. This is a great system for 15 years TIS and under but for those of us who have spent 50 months in theater in a tactical organization are tired and ready to get out. But not before I reach retirement. I can’t find anything in regs outside a mental breakdown that would allow be to defer going to USASMA and with dropping retirement packet(not eligible) or separate. Who is the Jedi Master in this new reg? I wonder of the legalities since it conflicts with RCP and career maps for indef Soldiers who may have chosen different promotion paths. Thoughts and opinions are great but someone with a solution would be perfect?

Response by SSG Paul Headlee made Sep 15 at 2020 9:27 AM

SSG Paul Headlee — Tue, 15 Sep 2020 09:27:33 -0400

Sorry I don't have a solution. All I can say is you're damn good at what you do.

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Sep 15 at 2020 9:27 AM

SFC Michael Hasbun — Tue, 15 Sep 2020 09:27:44 -0400

I'm in a similar situation. I have my fingers crossed that I don't get selected for promotion because it'll completely ruin my retirement plans/timeline...

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 15 at 2020 10:30 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 15 Sep 2020 10:30:18 -0400

I know that in the Reserves, it takes at least 9-12 months for a Retirement Packet to process. How long does a Retirement Packet take to process on Active Duty MSG Private RallyPoint Member?

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 15 at 2020 10:36 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 15 Sep 2020 10:36:49 -0400

Have you already been selected for the academy or received a low sequence number?

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 15 at 2020 11:09 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 15 Sep 2020 11:09:31 -0400

The magic word you’re looking for is called “Sanctuary”. You can’t be separated at 18 years unless you seriously mess up, or you are medically separated.

The up and out you’re describing doesn’t apply to enlisted. The enlisted version of up and out has to do with completing your DLC. If you fail to complete your DLC prior to the board you can’t be looked at for promotion. Some people have used this to avoid being looked at for promotion for years. Under the new system, if you do this for two years in a row the Army will separate you, that’s the up or out part. It’s not new, the Army announce these changes back in 2018 or so. They are only just now implementing the part for Senior NCOs. So, the first way to avoid it is simply don’t complete your DLC if you haven’t already.
The second part of the new program is that if you decline promotion you have a year to separate. However, that’s not from when the list comes out but from when you are supposed to pin on. You can probably decline going to USASMA once you’re placed on assignment. But if you can’t, USASMA itself is only a one year SRR, pinning on SGM is where the three year SRR comes from. Even if you decline a promotion at 18 years, sanctuary will allow you to stay to retire.

Nothing about this conflicts with RCP, which for MSG is 26 years, or any Soldiers career maps. Most Soldiers career maps have them projected to pin on MSG between 14-18 years, leaving plenty of time to be evaluated and selected for SGM prior to their RCP.
So, the first thing is don’t do DLC, the second is you can still decline the promotion, and the third is you can always just write a letter to the board stating that you absolutely do not want to be promoted. It’s not what a letter to the board is usually used for, but it will definitely have an impact.

Information is good, but validation is golden. A good place to validate all this info is by emailing the promotion branch directly to confirm the details. There are so many things when it comes to processing personnel actions that aren’t covered in regulation but are covered by an in house SOP, that it helps to just go straight to the source. HRC also has a page on sanctuary but it doesn’t say a lot, it’s geared more for bringing people back on active duty to complete the past two years till retirement.